subjects. The philosophers of the day and of succeeding times acknowledge their obligations to Boyle in the strongest terms. What a splendid eulogy is that of the great Boerhaave!—'Mr. Boyle, the ornament of his age and country, succeeded to the genius and enquiries of the great Chancellor Verulam. Which of all Mr. Boyle's writings shall I recommend? All of them! To him we owe the secrets of fire, air, water, animals, vegetables, fossils: so that from his works may be deduced the whole system of natural knowledge.'"16 Dugald Stewart writes: "To Boyle the world is indebted, besides some very acute remarks, and many fine illustrations of his own upon metaphysical questions of the highest moment, for the philosophical arguments in defence of religion, which have added so much lustre to the names of Derham and Bentley, and far above both, to that of Clarke." 16 42 47
Boyle, John, Earl of Cork and Orrery, grandson of Lord Broghill, born 2nd February 1706-7, is chiefly remembered for his Remarks on Swift. He was educated at Westminster, and Christ Church, Oxford. His marriage in 1728 gave offence to his father, who, when he died in 1731, left a large proportion of his property away from him. He was the author of Imitations of Horace, and many other works. He was much censured for his remarks about Swift "as it exposed to the world matters which it was thought he should, as Swift's friend, have confined to his own bosom. Warburton, in his letters to Bishop Hurd, takes the Earl to task in his usual coarse style, calling them 'detestable letters.' Dr. Johnson justified his lordship: 'My friend, the late Earl of Cork, had a great desire to maintain the literary character of his family; he was a genteel man, but did not keep up the dignity of his rank. He was so generally civil that nobody thanked him for it … His conversation was like his writings, neat and elegant, but without strength. He grasped at more than his abilities could reach; tried to pass for a better talker, a better writer, and a better thinker than he was.' 16 He died 16th November 1762, aged 55, and was buried at Frome. A large part of his life was spent in Ireland. His father, Charles, Earl of Orrery (born 1676, died 1731), in whose honour the instrument called the "Orrery" was named, spent six months in the Tower (1722-'3) on suspicion of high treason. 16 37 47
Boyse, Samuel, author of Tears of the Muses, and other poems, was born in Dublin, of respectable parents, in 1708. At eighteen he was sent to study at a Scotch university, where unhappily he contracted habits of intemperance, and made an improvident marriage. He had brilliant abilities, gathered round him many friends, and secured several powerful patrons. His poems suited the taste of the age. Nothing, however, could redeem him from a vicious and debased course of life. He died in London, May 1747, aged 38, and was committed to a pauper's grave.28
Brabazon, Sir William, was during some eighteen years Vice-Treasurer and Receiver-General in Ireland. "In 1536, with Lord-Chancellor Trimleston, he prevented the ravages of O'Conor in Carbery, by burning many villages in his country of Offaly, and carrying away great preys." In 1543 he acted as commissioner for receiving surrender of the abbeys closed by Henry VIII., and as receiver of the official seals when Henry altered his title from "Lord" to "King" of Ireland. Three years afterwards he was made Lord-Justice, pursued the O'Mores and O'Conors into Kildare, and built a fort on the spot where Philipstown was afterwards founded. It was at his suggestion Athlone Castle was repaired and occupied. In 1549, he compelled the surrender of Charles MacArt Kavenagh, and caused him to renounce the name of MacMurrough. He died 9th July 1552, at Carrickfergus, and was buried in St. Catherine's Church, Dublin. The Earls of Meath are descended from him. 216
Brady, Field-Marshal, was born in the County of Cavan, the middle of the 18th century. The son of a farmer, he gave promise of ability, and was sent to Vienna to study for the priesthood. One day the Empress Maria Theresa passed the students in review, and observing the bearing of young Brady, remarked to Colonel Browne, an Irishman: "What a pity it is so fine a young fellow should not be in the army—what was he saying just now?" "Your Majesty," replied Browne, "he said that you were a beautiful lady, and he only wished he had the honour to serve your Majesty." He was taken into the army and rose rapidly, and as Field-Marshal and Baron distinguished himself in the defence of his adopted country against Napoleon. He married an offshoot of the Imperial family, and died, without issue, at Vienna in 1826.55
Brady, Nicholas, Rev., was born at Bandon, 28th October 1659. His father was a royalist officer. When twelve years old he was sent to Westminster School; he subsequently graduated in Trinity College (M.A. in 1686), and obtained a prebend in the cathedral at Cork. At the time of the Revolution he made himself conspicuous as
32
