Page:Lives of British Physicians.djvu/101

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SIR THOMAS BROWNE. 83 was scarce patient of any diversion from his study: so imjDatient of sloth and idleness, that he would siiy, he could not do nothing. He understood most of the European languages, Latin and Greek critically, and a little Hebrew. He went to church constantly, when he was not prevented by his prac- tice, and never missed the sacrament of his parish if he was in town (Norwich.) He read the best English sermons he could hear of, and delighted not in controversies. He might have made good the old saying of Dat Galenus opes, had he lived in a place that could have afforded it, but there was small scope at Norwich to acquire great pro- fessional gains." He was indulgent and liberal to his children: two of his sons travelled into various countries, and two of his daughters were sent to France. Such expenses, added to his hospitality and abundant charities, prevented the accumulation of a large fortune ; but he bequeathed a comfortable estate to his widow and children. On his monument, in the church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, is the following inscription : Near the Foot of this Pillar Lies Sir Thomas Browne, Kt. and Doctor in Physick. Author of Rehgio Medici, and other Learned Books, Who practic'd Physick in this city 46 years, And died Oct. 1682, in the 77 year of his Age, In Memory of whom Danie Dorothy Browne, who had bin his Affectionate Wife 41 Years, caused this Monument to be Erected. G 2