, one of the most learned English
scholars of the eighteenth century, who adds a very illustrious name to the “Worthies of Devon,
” was born at Plymouth in that county in 1715. His father held an office in
the custom-house, but before his son arrived at his seventh
year, was removed thence into Kent, a circumstance which
may be mentioned as a proof of Mr. Bryant’s extraordinary
memory; for, in a conversation with the late admiral Barrington, not long before his death, when some local circumstances in respect to Plymouth were accidentally mentioned, Mr. Bryant discovered so perfect a recollection of
them, that his friend could scarcely be persuaded he had
not been very recently on the spot, though he had never
visited the place of his nativity after the removal of his
father. Mr. Bryant received his grammatical education
first under the rev. Sam. Thornton of Ludsdown in Kent,
and afterwards at Eton, and undoubtedly was one of the
brightest luminaries of that institution. The traditions of
his extraordinary attainments still remain, and particularly
of some verses which he then wrote. From Eton he proceeded to King’s college, Cambridge, where he took his
degree of A. B. in 1740, and A. M. in 1744, obtained 3
fellowship, and was equally distinguished by his love of
learning, and his proficiency in every branch of the academic course. He was afterwards first tutor to sir Thomas
Stapylton, and then to the marquis of Blandford, now duke
of Marlborough, and to his brother lord Charles Spencer,
when at Eton school, which office, on account of an inflammation in his eyes, he quitted in 1744, and his place
was supplied by Dr. Erasmus Saunders; but Mr. Bryant,
after his recovery in 1746, again returned to his office, and
in 1756 was appointed secretary to the late duke of Marlborough, when master-general of the ordnance, and ac-<
companied him into Germany. His grace also promoted
him to a lucrative appointment in the ordnance-office.