We regret to have to announce the death of the above much-beloved clergyman, which occurred at his residence in Launceston yesterday morning, and, we need not say, cast quite a gloom over that town. The late Archdeacon was about the oldest clergyman of the Anglican Church in the island, and the work which he did during his early ministry in the North was one of a truly evangelical missionary.

The deceased was the eldest son of the late Henry Browne, Esq., of Ballinvoher, and was born in Mallow, County Cork, in the year 1800; consequently he had at the time of his death exceeded by several years the allotted period of human existence. He was educated at Charleville, a few miles from Mallow, and among his schoolfellows was his brother archdeacon, the Venerable Archdeacon Rowland Robert Davies. From Charleville Mr. Browne, on the 6th October, 1817, went to Trinity College, Dublin, and it was at that time intended that he should study for the medical profession. After a short residence in college, however, Mr. Browne relinquished the idea of following the profession just mentioned, and turned his attention to theological subjects, to which he gave his unremitting consideration.

In 1821 he graduated as Bachelor of Arts, and in 1828 took the higher degree of M.A. and LL.D.; the latter honour being conferred upon him somewhat prematurely in consequence of his coming out to Tasmania, and partly, no doubt, because he was an Honor-man of his university.

Mr. Browne was appointed to the curacy of Whitechurch, on the Blackwater, in the year 1824, and was raised to the priesthood the same year. He was appointed Colonial Chaplain in Tasmania under the sign manual of George IV., on the 4th of February, 1828. He started from the Cove of Cork in a vessel called the "Coronet" on the 1st May of that year, arriving in Hobart Town on the 6th of October, and on the 1st November the "Gazette" notified his appointment to Launceston.

A few years after the venerable Archdeacon Davies (though, of course, not then Archdeacon) joined Dr. Browne, and for a considerable period they two were the only ministers of the Anglican Church in Northern Tasmania; and from the time of his arrival up to his retiring upon Government pension, Archdeacon Browne was always most earnest and assiduous in the performance of his duties; the only breakage in a long chain of years having been occasioned through severe illness consequent on a fall from his horse in 1838 or 1839. The reverend Dr. was then seriously injured, and he was obliged to take two years rest. On his recovery he resumed the active duties of the ministry and continued therein until 1854, when he obtained a two years leave of absence, and took the opportunity of visiting England, Constantinople, Venice, and other places of interest on the continent of Europe.

On his return Dr. Browne again entered upon his duties, and as we have already stated, continued to discharge them zealously and faithfully until he received the Government pension about eight years ago. Two or three years later, owing to changes made in the Church, he was appointed Archdeacon of Launceston, the duties of which position - though the emoluments attached to it amounted to only £50 per annum - he discharged with unremitting attention up to the time of his death.

About the years 1851-52, during the bishopric of Bishop Nixon, the clergymen in the North thought it necessary to protest against the high Church influences which were sought to be introduced into the Protestant Church, and the deceased divine not only headed the movement, but signed what was then known as the famous 'solemn declaration.' He was always recognised as the head of the low church party, and his liberal views on church government made him many friends.

But Archdeacon Browne did not confine his influence to church matters only. He took a very active part in conjunction with the late Rev. John West (subsequently, and until his decease, editor of the "Sydney Morning Herald"), and all the leading colonists in the North of Tasmania to induce - almost to coerce - the British Government to discontinue transportation; and for which purpose Mr. J. A. Jackson was maintained as paid agent of the colony in London.

Archdeacon Browne also initiated in Launceston a movement in the direction of funeral reform, and his views on that subject are well worth quoting, believing, as we have reason to do, that they form the substance of the desire the aged divine expressed as to the arrangements to be observed in relation to his own obsequies. Funerals, he advocated, should be conducted in the most inexpensive way consistent with decency; there should be no scarfs, crepe, or gloves given to any one; the coffin should be carried, not on men's shoulders, but between them as they walk on either side of it; that a funeral should not be later than 10 a.m., and should proceed direct to the cemetery, and, as much as could be, in silence. The venerable Doctor did not live to see these reforms achieved, but of their wisdom none can have an honest doubt.

He has, however, died full of honors; and many poor people, as well as his fellow workers in the vineyard of truth, will miss by his removal a generous friend, a leader, and adviser.

The deceased was twice married, and had four children by each marriage, all of whom are living with the exception of the eldest son by the last marriage, who died in Victoria in January last. The eldest son is our respected fellow citizen, Mr. Justin McC. Browne, and another son is the Rev. W. H. Browne, LL.B., who, according to the last mail news, has been appointed Vicar of St. James, Hatcham (near London) in succession to Mr. Tooth, who was some months ago imprisoned for disregarding an inhibition of the Bishop of Rochester to abstain from ritualistic practices. Two of the deceased's daughters are respectively married to His Honor Mr. Justice Dobson and Mr. Burnie, director of public works at Williamstown, Victoria. The other members of the family are unmarried.

In concluding our notice we may mention that the late archdeacon, though he was subjected to a severe attack of indigestion on Wednesday last, was much better on Friday, and his demise was therefore not altogether expected. But he suffered a relapse, and as already stated he died early yesterday morning.

The funeral of the deceased will, we believe, take place on Wednesday next, at 10 a.m.