For if her conduct, in some steps betray'd, SIR CHARLES HANBURY WILLIAMS ΤΟ SIR HANS SLOANE,* WHO SAVED HIS LIFE, AND DESIRED HIM TO SEND OVER ALL THE RARITIES HE COULD FIND IN HIS TRAVELS. SINCE you, dear Doctor, sav'd my life, *Sir Hans Sloane was a native of the county of Down, and was born 1660; he had his medical education in France, under Tournefort and De Verncy; at 24 years of age he was immediately admitted a member of the Royal Society, and was introduced at the recommendation of Drs. Lyster and the great Sydenham; the latter took him into his house, and became his declared patron; he had great prospects of success in the metropolis, but his ardour for the pursuits of natural history and botany, induced him to accept the post of Physician to the Duke of Albemarle, Governor of Jamaica; on the Duke's death, he had made In conscience, I'm obliged to do such diligent use of his time, that in 15 months he brought back with him a rich treasure of subjects in the different kingdoms of nature, amongst which were 800 species of plants; he speedily rose to excellence; in 1693, he was elected Secretary to the Royal Society, and Physician to Christ's Hospital; in 1695 he married the daughter of Alderman Langley, by whom he had three daughters and a son; the two daughters that survived, were married into eminent English families, the eldest to the father of the late Earl of Cadogan: his great work was, the Natural History of Jamaica; in 1708 he was elected member of the French Academy of Sciences; Queen Anne frequently consulted him, and George I. made him Physician-General to the Army, and created him a Baronet, and the College of Physicians elected him their President; on the death of the great Newton, the Royal Society elected him successor; on the accession of George II. he was made that King's Physician; he purchased the Manor of Chelsea, and formed the Botanical Garden there, and made a free gift of the feesimple of it to the Company of Apothecaries; at the age of 80 he retired from his profession, and lived with great comfort and respect for 12 years after; he bequeathed all his vast collections of natural history, gems, MSS. books, &c. to the public, on the condition of Parliament paying £.20,000 for them, a sum said not to be more than the intrinsic value of the precious metals only: they now form the most curious part of the British Museum.-Ob. 1752. According, then, to your command, And send you all that I should find; Men, women, children, towns, and taverns; Than Gresham's children ever knew: First, I've three drops of that same shower, Which Jove in Danaë's lap did pour; From Carthage brought, the sword I'll send A fig-leaf apron; it's the same That Adam wore to hide his shame, But now wants darning; I've beside The very shaft, as all may see, Which Cupid shot at Antony; Some strains of eloquence which hung, Then I've, most curious to be seen, |