Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/232

 BROWN. 921 his own household." To his two sons he gave good livings, with church dignities. To his elder brother, Dr. St. John Brown, a living worth near 1000l. per annum To his second brother, who was a layman, the registry of the city of Cork, a place worth then between four and five hundred pounds per year.. His nephews, his cousins, and other relations, who were bred to the church, likewise partook of his bounties: nor did he neglect the inferior clergy (though no way related to him), who had services, large families, or considerable merit, to recommend them. Observing ohe day, at a visitation, a stout country, o rather ploughman-looking parson in the consistory, with a tattered gown and old wig, he particularly examined. him in respect to the state of his church. The honest parson, who felt poverty to be no disgrace, told him he was a curate of but fifty pounds per year, for which he did the duties of two churches; that he had eight children; that not being able to afford a horse, he walked thirty niles every year up to the visitation; and if it was not for the additional labour of his own hands, with those of his wife and eldest son, they must want the necessaries of life! This artless stery had a visible effect even upon the pampered Levites around him. The bishop heard him with particular attention, commended his couduct, and told him, he would take the first opportunity to remedy his situation i which he punctually performed, as in less than three months he presented him with a living, worth between four and five hundred pounds per year. The poor curate, on receiving this intelligence, brought up his whole family to town, to thank in person their generous benefactor. The bishop was pleased with this honest mark of gratitude, entertained them with great hospitality, and dismissed them with little domestic pre- sents. He enjoyed this living for many years, and educated his family with great propriety: on every visitation-day he previously called at the bishop's palace, to pay his respects to his patron, and, as the parson was always fond