AMBROSE, SAINT, an island in the South Pacific ocean, on the coast of Chili, four or five leagues due west from St Felix island. At first view, it appears like two small islands; but after a nearer approach, it is found they are joined by a reef. It lies in S. Lat. 26. 13. W. Long. 80. 55. from Greenwich. There is a large rock four miles to the northward of the island, called, from its appearance, Sail-rock. Captain Roberts, who was here in 1792, found St Felix island inaccessible. On St Ambrose island, his crew killed and cured 13,000 seal skins of the best quality, in seven weeks. The island has little else to recommend it. Fish and crawfish abound. The best season for sealing is from the 1st of April to the 1st of August.
AMBROSE of Alexandria, lived in the beginning of the third century, and was the intimate friend of Origen. Jerome and Eusebius differ in the account they give of this man. The one denominates him a Marcionite, the other a Valentinian; but they both agree that he was converted to the orthodox faith, through means of the preaching of Origen. As is generally the case with new proselytes, he became very zealous, and was appointed deacon either at Alexandria, or at Cæsarea, where Procleitus was presbyter. Origen dedicated many of his works, and among others his book on martyrdom, to Ambrose; at whose desire and expence they were published. Origen and Ambrose were alike indefatigable in their application to study, and lived in terms of the most intimate friendship. Origen being poor, Ambrose assisted him, by providing notaries and amanuenses to copy his works.
In that period of society, when the increase of copies was a work of immense labour and great expence, these were not only instances of private friendship, but of public utility. Ambrose is thus justly entitled to rank among the patrons of learning. Ambrose has been blamed by some, for having made no provision at his death for the poor infirm Origen. The friends of Ambrose excuse this part of his conduct, by saying that Origen chose to live poor, and daily dependant on
Ambrose. a divine Providence. According to some historians, Ambrose died as a martyr, along with his friend Proctetus, in the persecution under Maximin, about the year 236; but the dedication of Origen's eight books against Celsus shows, that though he died before Origen, yet he lived to the year 250, or near that period. Origen speaks of him as a man of great piety, and much devoted to the study of the sacred Scriptures. (Gen. Biog.)