2 Biographical Memoir of M. Halle. 



degree of sensibility. On his return, a domestic example con- 

 firmed him in this new pursuit. 



Anne Charles Lorry*, one of the most able and most es- 

 teemed physicians at the end of the last century, was his ma- 

 ternal uncle. Charmed with the steadiness he discovered in 

 his young friend, he wished to make him his pupil and succes- 

 sor, and soon gained him entirely to medicine. In vain did the 

 protectors of his family hold forth to him brilliant expectations 

 in the finances ; nothing could shake his resolution, and, after 

 attending the schools in conformity to the established rules, he 

 took his first degrees in 1776. 



The knowledge and clearness of understanding, of which he 

 gave proof in his first exercises, so much distinguished him, that, 

 even before he had in form received the doctor's cap, the 

 founders of the Royal Society of Medicine wished to have him 

 as a companion in their labours ; — a precocious honour, which 

 afterwards prevented him from obtaining in the Faculty the title 

 of Regent Doctor. The same affront has been offered to Four- 

 croy, and other individuals of the highest merit, and from the 

 same motive, — the childish jealousy which led the Faculty to 

 consider the Royal Society as a rival body, and which induced 

 them to vow an implacable hatred against those of their own mem- 

 bers, who had consented to let their names be inscribed on the 

 lists of the Society. It will be remembered that this antipathy ex- 

 cited the most ridiculous dissensions among the physicians of the 

 capital, and gave rise to a multitude of odious libels and satires ; 

 but what may already give a favourable idea of the gentleness 

 and modesty of M. Halle's character, as well as of the esteem 

 which these qualities inspired, is, that, in productions, in which 

 men of the highest reputation were not spared, he was less 

 abused than any of his brethren. Keeping, in fact, at a dis- 

 tance from all intrigue, thinking only of the elucidation of his 

 art by whatever aid the sciences could yield to it, but never va- 

 luing himself on his successes or his discoveries, and not seeking 

 a popular reputation, he did not offend the vanity, or interfere 

 with the interest, of any one. The study of medicine appeared 

 to him sufficient to occupy a lifetime. Nothing that relates to 



• Son of Francis Lorry, and brother of Paul Charles Lorrv, both profes- 

 sors of the Faculty of Law. 



