536 BIOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT 



expected to remain in full possession of activity and vigour. 

 This is the more difficult, as the valuable medicine which alone 

 in such cases can assuage pain, contributes itself at length to 

 weaken the mind, and to destroy its energy. The combat 

 which Mr Robison had maintained against these complica- 

 ted evils, had indeed been wonderfully vigorous and successful 

 and the last of his works is quite worthy of his days of most 

 perfect health and enjoyment. 



The body could not resist so well as the mind. In the end 

 of January 1805, he was suddenly seized with a severe illness, 

 which put an end to his life in the course of forty-eight hours. 

 There was a general disturbance of the system, which, without 

 having the character of any denned disease, exhibited those 

 symptoms of universal disorder which denote a breaking up of 

 the constitution, and never fail to terminate fatally. 



On reviewing the whole of his character, and the circum- 

 stances of his life, it is impossible not to see in him a man of 

 extraordinary powers, who had enjoyed great opportunities for 

 improvement, and had never failed to turn them to the best 

 account. He possessed many accomplishments rarely to be 

 met with in a scholar, or a man of science. He had great skill 

 and taste in music, and was a performer on several instru- 

 ments. He was an excellent draughtsman, and could make 

 his pencil a valuable instrument either of record or invention. 

 When a young man, he was gay, convivial, and facetious, and 

 his vers de socictc flowed, I have been told, easily and with 

 great effect. His appearance and manner were in a high de- 

 gree favourable and imposing ; his figure handsome, and his 

 face expressive of talent, thought, gentleness, and good temper. 



When 



