Page:Lives of British Physicians.djvu/81

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SIR THOMAS BROWNE. 63 mt the printer that Mr. Crook (wlio delivered Ime your's) told me was printing something under my name concerning your treatise of Rehgio 'Medici, and to forbid him any further proceeding therein ; but my servant could not meet with him : i whereupon I have left with Mr. Crook a note to 'that purpose, entreating him to deliver it to the printer. I verily believe there is some mistake in the information given you, and that what is printing must be from some other pen than mine ; what I |writ was but the employment of one sitting ; and there was not twenty-four hours between my receiving my Lord of Dorset's letter, that occa- sioned what I said, and the finishing my answer to him. I pretend to no learning : to encounter such a sinewy opposite, or make animadversion upon so smart a piece as yours, is requisite a solid stock and exercise in school-learning ; my superficial besprinkling will serve only for a private letter, or a familiar discourse with lady auditors. With longing, I expect the coming abroad of the true copy of that book, whose false and stolen one hath already given me so much delight ; — and so as- suring you, I shall deem it a great good fortune to deserve your favour and friendship. — I kiss your hand, and rest your most humble servant, Winchester Home. Kenelm Digby."* The author of the Rellgio Medici may, perhaps, in the ardour of his imagination, have hazarded an expression which a mind intent upon faults

  • Sir Kenelm Digby, a person, according to Lord Clarendon,

very eminent and notorious throughout the whole course of his life* from his cradle to his grave — a man of very extraordinary person and presence, vi'hich drew the eyes of all men upon him, of a fair