Biographical Memoir of M. Halle. 7 



¥OUS auditory. He was not an exception, and there will appear 

 little cause of surprize when we reflect how few there have been 

 among the many eminent individuals successively chosen for our 

 deliberative assemblies. Nevertheless, what was unpleasant in 

 his delivery was redeemed by the profoundness of what he 

 taught ; and perhaps it was this very depth, the vast extent of 

 his knowledge, and his multiplied views of objects, that contri- 

 buted to render his lectures less agreeable to most young people. 

 At firsts a student would have only simple and clear rules, and 

 ignorance alone could estabhsh such in medicine. But M. Halle 

 had also pupils of talent and sagacity, who, not having allowed 

 themselves to be repelled by those circumstances, had reason for 

 congratulation, as they have since expressed on every opportu- 

 nity. From this select number have come many of the able 

 physicians and distinguished professors who are now the orna- 

 ment of the Faculty. 



M. Halle's piactice also was in some degree affected by this 

 great extent of his knowledge. He knew too much not to have 

 doubts in all cases, and in acute diseases nothing is so vexatious 

 as doubting. The sick, as well as those about them, in general, 

 like physicians whose practice is decided. He was therefore 

 preferred for chronic diseases, where it is not necessary to form 

 an immediate opinion. In this kind of practice he enjoyed the 

 highest reputation ; and those who may not choose to rely on 

 the decision of the public, will at least trust to the judgment of 

 a physician, whose right to judge in such a case will not be dis- 

 puted. Corvisart, in bequeathing to Halle the portrait of Stoll, 

 wrote that he left this gift to him as the physician whom he 

 most esteemed. 



He had above all, in a high degree, the talent of making him- 

 self beloved by his patients. Most of them were no longer of 

 the class toward whom he could exercise his charity, but bene- 

 volence can assume all forms. Those of whom he took charge 

 became in a manner his children. They saw in him a friend or 

 relation, rather than a physician. When he could not relieve 

 them, he withdrew their mind by agreeable conversation from 

 the depressing thoughts which would have aggravated their 

 disease, and even frequently, when their circumstances were 

 not such that he could have the most natural pretext for 



