JENNER. 259 tween Apollo and -<Esculapius was so well main- tained in his person." The attraction of Jenner's conversation would often induce his friends to accompany him even at midnight many miles on his road homewards from professional avocations. His humour is described by Dr. Baron as most enlivening and descriptive, and the more engaging, as it was alike free from all manner of impurity and of malevolence. In these respects he was, as Izaak Walton says, neither beholden to the devil nor his own corruptions, but kept clear of both. His imagination was always active, and he appears to have frequently sought relaxation from severer studies in poetical compositions. He was much attached to music performed on the violin and flute. In his latter years (says Dr. Baron), after his renown had filled the world, and after the many cares attendant on vaccination had often weighed heavy upon him, I have seen him shake them entirely off, take up a humorous strain, and sing one of his own ballads with all the mirth of youthful life. We subjoin a few specimens of his verse, not so much for their poetic merit (though that of the second piece, especially, has received high and just praise), as to mark his flexibility of talent, and his close obser- vation of the features of nature. ADDRESS TO A ROBIN. Come, sweetest of the feather' d throng ! And sooth me with thy plaintive song ; Come to my cot, devoid of fear, No danger shall await thee here. No prowling cat, with whisker'd face, Approaches this seqviester'd place; s 2
