1815.) Smithson Tennant, Esq. 89 
Browne’s hand-writing, containing a characteristic and remarkable 
passage from one of Pindar’s Odes, highly expressive of that gene- 
rous ambition, and contempt of danger and death, which are the 
true inspiring principles of such enterprizes.* ‘Till he saw this 
paper, Mr. Tennant, notwithstanding his long intimacy, had never 
been fully aware of the real force of his friend’s character, and of 
the powerful and deep feelings which his cold manners and habitual 
reserve had effectually concealed from observation. + 
——< 
It was before stated that Mr. Tennant’s health had been gradually 
declining. His frame was naturally feeble; and during the latter 
years of his life, though he was’ seldom materially indisposed, 
he was scarcely ever entirely well. Almost always on going to 
bed he had a certain degree of fever, and was often obliged 
to get up in the middle of the night, and to obtain relief by 
exposure to the cool air. ‘To preserve himself in’ any degree 
of bodily vigour, he was under the necessity of using daily 
exercise on horseback ; a practice which, though he complained of 
as a serious encroachment on his time, he hardly ever omitted in 
the severest weather. His long journies into various. parts of Eng= 
Jand and Ireland were usually performed in this manner. 
* The following is the passage alluded to :— 
‘O wiyus J: xbdu- 
vos uvtruwd Da 
Ta Aupeaver, Ouvets Doirw LVaY Ney 
Ti xe rig cevewunoy wynpes gy oxore 
Keely wstv05 ever pare, am avToy 
Karay apnpoopes , rr’ toh wats Sz0c} 
*AdAos y' umoxsirerces, 
Pindari Olymp. Carm, 1, v, 129, 
In the paths of dangerous fame 
Trembling cowards never tread ; 
Yet since all of mortal frame 
Must be number’d with the dead, 
Who in dark inglorious shade 
Would his useless life consume, 
And with deedless years decay’d 
Sink unhonour’d to the tomb ? 
J that shameful lot disdain, 
J this doubtful list will prove.— 
West’s Pindar. 
+ It may be worth mentioning, that Mr, Tennant always lamented, after he 
became acquainted with Mr, Browne's learning and talents, that his intimacy with 
him had not commenced before the publication of his African Travels. In pre- 
‘paring that work forthe press, Mr, Browne, from an unreasonable distrust of his 
own powers, had thought it necessary to have recourse to literary assistance ; but 
Was not happy in his compiler, Neither the style of the Travels, nor the tone in 
which they are composed, is such as to do any justice to the important informa- 
tion which they contain, or to the character and merits of the distinguished tray 
veller whose name they bear, 
6 
