394 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
No. CCCV.
DR. JOHN BROWN,
ALIAS
“THE DEVIL KILLER.”
TO many of our readers this Print will recall to remembrance a singular
’ personage of the name of BROWNw, ho, assuming the title of Doctor, and
imagining himself destined to astonish and instruct the world, acquired considerable
notoriety in Scotland during the latter part of the last and beginning of
the present century. At what precise period he entered on the stage of life,
or what may have been the station of his parents, we know not. He had been
a soldier in his youth, in one of his Majesty’s artillery corps; and had the
honour, under General Elliot, to be one of the memorable defenders of Gibraltar.
Of a tall erect figure, he is said to have been, in his day, one of the prettiest
men in the service.
After obtaining his discharge, Brown had sufficient influence to procure an
appointment as an excise officer ; but this situation he does not appear to have
retained for any length of time. What may have caused his suspension is
unknown ; but true it is he very soon afterwards became an avowed enemy to
the whole fraternity of revenue collectors ; and his extreme disaffection to :‘ the
powers that were ” increased to such an extent as evidently to affect his brain.
Having imbibed a few crude notions in political economy, in theology, and
natural philosophy, he began his Quixotic crusade against abuses, in the triple
character of philosopher, poet, and politician. The rapacity of ministers, and
the delusions of priestcraft, were of course inexhaustible topics of declamation ;
but, from the following programme of one of his lectures-amusing from its
absurdity, and which we transcribe verbatim-some idea may be formed of the
“ scope and tendency ” of his more speculative opinions :-
“ DR. BROWNS exhibition of the Balance of Nature explored, upon the Principle of Cause
and Effect, to promote general happiness, by transferring Taxation from being the punishment
for industry, to become the punishment for. iniquity ; the tendency of which is to destroy the
kingdom of the Devil or Priestcraft, Bribery, Corruption, and the cursed spirit of Persecution
and Blasphemy, insulting Omnipotence with our abominable instructions ; and prevent the
Disaffected from sowing the seeds of Rebellion in the Country, by sporting with the Revenue,
and hiring News-Printers with secret service money to deceive the people with lies ; and to
restore again the Blessings of Peaee, which is of the first glory, for that nation is most honourable
that sacrifices most pride for peace.
‘‘ The soldier’s oath sure is not long,
Obey his orders right or wrong.