Thomas Falkner, an English missionary, born in Manchester about 1731, died at Plow-den Hall, Jan. 30, 1784. He was the son of a surgeon, and followed the same profession in South America and other countries.While ill at Buenos Ayres he was attended by members of the society of Jesus. He abjured the Pres-byterian faith to join that order, in which he dis-tinguished himself by missionary labors during 40 years, and he was also employed by the Spanish authorities in surveying part of the South American coast. On the dissolution of the order he went to Spain, where he became chaplain to one of his countrymen, whom he accompanied to the vicinity of Worcester, England. He wrote a number of works in different languages, chiefly relating to the American continent. His principal publication,A Description of Patagonia and the adjoining Parts of South America, and some Particulars relating to Falkland Islands," etc. (Hereford and London, 1774; abridged,A Treatise of the Patagonians," etc, Darlington, 1788), was translated into German and French.