520 BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT 



The sequel of the paper is also full of ingenious re- 

 marks. 



In December 1785, Mr Robison was attacked by a severe 

 disorder, which, with but few intervals of relaxation, continued 

 to afflict him to the end of his life, and which, though borne' 

 with much resignation, and resisted with singular fortitude, 

 could not but at length impair both the vigour and the conti- 

 nuity of his exertions. The disorder seemed to be situated be- 

 tween the urethra and the perineum. At times it was accom- 

 panied with the severest pain, and with violent spasms, which 

 were easily excited. The disease, however, was only known 

 by the pain produced ; and never, by any visible or palpable 

 symptom, gave information of its nature, as no change in the 

 parts which were the seat of it could ever be observed. A 

 complaint of this nature, it is evident, must have less chance 

 of being removed than any other, and it accordingly baffled 

 the art of the most skilful medical men, both in Edinburgh 

 and London. 



Notwithstanding this state of suffering, his general health 

 was not for a long time materially injured, nor the powers 

 of his mind relaxed, so that he continued to prosecute 

 study with vigour and steadiness. A malady which was both 

 severe and chronical, admitted of no palliative so good as 

 the comfort of domestic society, which Mr Robison happily 

 enjoyed, having married soon after he settled in Edinburgh. 

 The care and attention of Mrs Robison, and the affectionate 

 regards of his children, as they grew up, were blessings to 

 which, with all his habits of study and abstraction, he was ever 

 perfectly alive. 



This indisposition did not prevent him from engaging, about 

 this time, in a very laborious undertaking. A work, with the 



title 



