68 C H A P TJR R 32. 
1684, he was eledted a fellow of the Royal 
Society-, and, in April 1687, ^^^tered into 
the college of phylicians. Thefe early ad- 
vancements in the profeffional line, are the 
ftrongeft prefumptions in favour of his fu- 
perior knowledge, and promifing abilities* 
Yet thefe flattering profpeds he relin- 
quifhed, to gratify his ardour for natural 
knowledge. 
On the 1 2th of September 1687, and m 
the 28th year of his age, he embarked for 
yamaicay as phyfician to the Duke of Albe'- 
mark ; and touched at Madeira, Barbadoes„ 
Nevis y and St. Kitfs. The Duke dying ofx 
the 19th of December, foon after their ar- 
rival at Jamaicay Dr. Sloane's flay on the 
ifland did not exceed fifteen months. Dur- 
ing this time, however, fuch was his appli- 
cation, that, in the language of his French 
eulogift, had he not converted, as it were, 
his minutes into hours, he could not have 
made thofe numerous acquifitions, which 
contributed fo largely to extend the know- 
ledge of nature ^ while they laid the founda- 
tion of his own future fame and fortune. 
Here I am led to obferve, that feveral 
Qircumftances 
