24 MEMOIR OF BARON HAXLER. 



in 1735; for being then appointed superintendent 

 of the Public Library at Berne, he prepared a 

 systematic catalogue of all the books in the col- 

 lection; and, moreover, examined and arranged 

 more than five thousand ancient coins and medals, 

 of which he drew up a chronological list and ac- 

 count. During the summers of this period, he used, 

 by way of relaxation, to prosecute his botanical 

 pursuits in expeditions amongst the mountains and 

 valleys of Switzerland ; in the course of which, he 

 at the same time applied himself assiduously to the 

 cultivation of mineralogy and zoology. 



In consequence of his ardent devotion to such 

 objects, the reputation of Haller became widely ex- 

 tended; and in 1736, the Regency of Hanover 

 offered him the Chair of Botany, Anatomy, and 

 Surgery, in the newly established school at Got- 

 tingen. No inducement was withheld, which could 

 make the situation attractive and agreeable to him ; 

 and large funds were placed at his disposal for the 

 prosecution of those schemes which formed the 

 favourite objects of his life. He therefore gladly 

 availed himself of the offer, and for seventeen years 

 devoted his utmost energies to promote the celebrity 

 of the school, with what success is universally 

 known. Poetry was now entirely laid aside, and the 

 graver subjects of pursuit henceforward engrossed 

 his zealous exertions. Through his influence, Jie 

 university was speedily enriched with a botanic 

 garden and an anatomical theatie. 



His application to botany may be styled enthu- 



