yond our praise but briefly to recount some few results of his most beneficent exertions in the cause of humanity, and to dwell for a short space on the peculiar and endearing qualities of his domestic life: which, when viewed in conjunction with the vastness of his renown, and the magnitude of the influence which he has had upon the destinies of his race, form altogether a picture of individual character, unexampled perhaps in the history of any age or nation. "There is something in the progress of the discovery of vaccination so indicative of the surpassing genius and sagacity of the author, and, in its final development and promulgation, so much that betokens the humility, the benevolence, and the disinterestedness of his nature, that we cannot but regard him as one of those highly favoured individuals whom it pleases Providence now and then to select, as the medium through which relief is vouchsafed to the miseries of our nature. "The plague which he essayed to stay was universal in its ravages. Other scourges are confined to certain latitudes, or rage only during particular seasons; but time nor place restrained the all-devouring enemy which it was his aim to subdue. There is reason to believe, that small-pox has existed in the East, especially in China and Hindostan, for several thousand years. It did not visit the more western nations till towards the middle of the sixth century: it then broke out near Mecca, immediately before the birth of Mahomet. It was afterwards gradually diffused over the, whole of the Old World, and was finally transported to the New, shortly after the death of Columbus. "In the British islands alone, it has been computed that forty thousand individuals perished annually by this disease! It killed one in fourteen of all that were born, and one in six of all that were attacked by it in the natural way. The introduction of inoculation for small-pox, was productive of great benefit to all who submitted to the operation; but though it augmented the individual security, it is a wellascertained fact, that it added to the general mortality, by multiplying the sources of contagion, and thereby increasing the number of those who became affected with the natural distemper. "All who have not yet duly appreciated the benefits which vaccination has conferred on mankind, may do well to meditate for a while on this picture. Let them look on the loathsomeness and dangers of small-pox in its most mitigated form; let them consider that this disease has been banished from some countries, and, with due care, might be eradicated from all; let them remember, that, notwithstanding prejudices, carelessness, and ignorance, millions now live who, but for vaccination, would have been in their graves; let them think on these things, and say, what ought to be our feelings towards him who has been the honoured instrument of so much good. "To have anticipated such results from human agency, would at no remote period have been considered the most chimerical of all imaginations. We have, nevertheless, seen them realized. The time in which they occurred will for ever be marked as an epoch in the physical history of man; and England, with all her glories, may well rejoice that she has to number Jenner among her sons. "The meekness, gentleness, and simplicity of his demeanour, formed a most striking contrast to the self-esteem which might have arisen from the great and splendid consequences of his discovery. He was thankful and grateful for them in his heart; but to pride and vain-glory he seemed to be an utter stranger. On a recent interesting occasion, a short time before his death, the following were among the last words that he ever spoke to the writer of these lines. The nature of his services to his fellow-creatures had been the subject of conversation: I do not marvel,' he observed, 'that men are not grateful to me; but I am surprised that they do not feel gratitude to God, for making me a medium of good.' No one could see him without perceiving that this was the habitual frame of his mind. Without it, it never could have been that in his most retired moments, and in his intercourse with the great and exalted of the earth, he in variably exhibited the same uprightness of conduct, singleness of purpose, and unceasing earnestness to promote the welfare of his species, to the total exclusion of all selfish and personal considerations. These qualities particularly arrested the attention of the many distinguished foreigners who came to visit him; and they were not less the cause of satisfaction and delight to his most intimate friends. "His condescension, his kindness, his willingness to listen to every tale of distress, and the open-handed munificence with which he administered to the wants and necessities of those around him, can never be forgotten by any who have been guided and consoled by his affectionate counsel, or cherished and relieved by his unbounded charity. His sympathy for suffering worth, or genius lost in obscurity, was ever alive; and no indication of talent or ingenuity, no effort of intellect, ever met his eye without gaining his notice, and calling forth, on numberless occasions, his substantial aid and assistance. "He was not less generous in pouring forth the treasures of his mind. A long life spent in the constant study of all the subjects of natural history, had stored it with great variety of knowledge. Hence, the originality of his views, the felicity and playfulness of his illustrations, and the acuteness of his remarks, imparted a character of genius to his commonest actions and conversations, which could not escape the most inattentive observer. "It were a just and gratifying duty to dwell at greater length on these and other kindred qualities; but the present occasion suits not for such a purpose; and we have only now to mention the last public act of his life, which, in a manner particularly interesting, harmonizes with his previous efforts in behalf of his fellow-creatures. He attended a meeting convened on the 19th of December last, at Berkeley, for forming a Bible Society, and moved the first resolution. It was a sight singularly gratifying to behold a venerable individual, whose life had been spent in successfully devising means to extinguish a fatal and pestilential bodily disease, thus putting his hand to the work which has been graciously designed for arresting the moral pestilence that desolates so great a portion of the earth, and for the healing of the nations." 1823. The remains of Dr. Jenner were deposited in the chancel of the parish church of Berkeley, on the third of February, The concourse of persons was immense; the indications of respect, reverence, and regret, were unequivocally conspicuous; every eye was moistened, and every heart oppressed. The following epitaph is to be placed on the tomb: "Within this tomb hath found a resting-place The great physician of the human race — And lisp out blessings on his honoured name; A provincial monument is about to be raised to this great man by voluntary subscriptions; but there can be no doubt that the gratitude of the nation, or rather that of the world, will be manifested by the construction of some more magnificent memorial. Dr. Jenner has left a son, Robert Fitzharding Jenner, a Captain in the South Gloucester Militia, a Magistrate, M. A. of Exeter College, Oxford, &c.; and a daughter, Catherine, wife of John Yeend Bedford, Esq. solicitor, of Birmingham ; son of Bedford, Esq., of Pershore, near Worcester. No. XI. GENERAL DUMOURIEZ. CHARLES-François-Duperier Dumouriez was born at Cambray, the 29th of January, 1739: his family, originally from Provence, was renowned for its antiquity, for its long exercise of judiciary power, and for its striking attachment to literature. To one of his ancestors Malherbe, the father of French poetry, addressed in 1599, one of his most beautiful odes. It was on the loss of his daughter; and begins with the line "Ta douleur, Duperier, sera donc eternelle." Dumouriez's father was a very distinguished man of letters, though not professionally so; and his translation of " Ricciardetto," merited the eulogium of Voltaire. After his classical studies, in which he had been very successful, Dumouriez lived for some time with his father, who destined him for the commissariat; but, this department not being agreeable to him, he chose to enter the army. When eighteen years of age, he made his first campaign against the same Duke of Brunswick whom, in 1792, he drove from the territory of France. He distinguished himself in several attacks, and was at last taken prisoner; but not till he had received nineteen serious wounds, and had lost his horse; five men had been disabled by him, when his arms were broken to pieces in his hands, and the loss of blood alone prevented a longer defence. The Duke of Brunswick, who was told of his brave resistance, when the wounded prisoner was brought before him, strongly expressed his kind admiration, and sent him back with a flattering letter to Marshal de Broglie, the general of the French army. |