302 BRITISH PHYSICIANS. invigorated and charmed his domestic circle, scarcely deserted him under the severest trials and amidst the heaviest afflictions. His miscel- laneous reading, extensive knowledge of men and manners, and an excellent memory, supphed, in his intercourse with society, a constant fund of amusing anecdote and of appropriate allusion. From an intimate acquaintance with many cele- brated mihtary and naval characters, he had be- come remarkably conversant with the details and adventures of their profession ; and scarcely a battle had occurred during the preceding century, with the minute circumstances of which he was not acquainted. In the " Athenaeum," (vol. v.) for April, 1809, is a Letter, which states the claims of his friend. Lord Rodney, to the inven- tion of breaking the line. During a severe illness, of nearly six years' duration, he amused himself with dictating anecdotes of many distinguished friends and contemporaries, which might well de- serve a place in a more extended memoir. Dr. Parry was an early member of the Bath and West of England Society of Agriculture, Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (1780). As a member of its committees, as a contributor to its volumes, and as a successful candidate for its pre- miums, he was, for many years, one of its prin- cipal supporters. In 1797, he was elected a vice-president, and in 1817 was honoured with the gold Bedford medal, as a mark of esteem and gratitude for many past services. In 1782 he was chosen a governor of the Bath General Hospital : in 1800, elected a fellow of the Royal Society : in 1801, a member of the Society of Natural His-
