216 BROWN. Mr. Brown being intended by his parents for the church, was educated accordingly, and, after passing through the forms of the university, ordained, and through the interest of his father, shortly obtained a handsome living. How long he continued in this situation has not been recorded, but his next promotion was to the deanery of Elphin, which had the advantage of affluence being attached to it. .This benefice he obtained through the interest of Henry Boyle, Earl of Shannon, at that time speaker of the house of commons of Ireland, and the e Scandalous Chronicle" declared, that this interest was first formed by Mr. Brown's making the speaker a present of a fine hunter, who from that instant perceived his talents, and patronized him accordingly. Whether the hunter had any share in Dr. Brown's advancement is now of little consequence; suffice it to observe, the politics of Ireland at that time ran very high; the whole kingdom were divided amongst two parties, known by the name of Williamites and Jacobites (nearly answering the principles of our Whig and Tory).Brown was of the former, on the purest principles of attachment; and would, if necessary, defend those principles at the hazard of his life. Boyle was likewise a Williamite up to the head and ears; and so staunch an advocate for the cause as Brown was, could not well miss the patronage of the former. Brown was likewise a keen sportsman; so was Boyle: thus from a congeniality of amusements, as well as politics, an union was formed between both, which only terminated with the life of the earl. In 1743, Dr. Brown was consecrated Bishop of Killaloe; soon after of Dromore; and in 1745, Bishop of his native city of Cork. Here he continued twenty-seven years, and in that time had the opportunity of providing handsomely for his sons and relations; a great number of whom were bred ecclesiastics. As a diocesan, Dr. Brown was a great disciplinarian; keeping his clergy to constant residence and punctual duties, and examining with great.accuracy
