MEMOIR OF BARON HALLER. 23 



time published a learned work, in German, on the 

 dangers connected with the imagination. 



At this period of his life, viz. from 1732 to 1736, 

 Haller found time afresh to devote a considerable 

 share of his attention to poetry ; and during it, lie 

 published anonymously a series of odes and epistles 

 in German, which were at first attributed to Muralt, 

 at that period very celebrated; and when, soon 

 afterwards, the author became known, the general 

 estimate was increased rather than diminished. 

 These poems were speedily translated into many of 

 the continental languages, and during his lifetime 

 ran through upwards of twenty editions in various 

 tongues. His poetry is distinguished by great sen- 

 sibility, and by elevation and grandeur of thought : 

 remarkably free from frivolous ornaments, it abounds 

 in original touches of pathos and genius. Great 

 variety of subjects became the burden of his song. 

 He delighted to dwell on the beauties of the early 

 dawn, which he was always solicitous to enjoy and 

 improve ; he expatiated on the charms of nature ; 

 the love of one's country, and the pangs of sepa- 

 ration and banishment; he descanted on the true 

 value of glory and renown'; and, in a poem of three 

 cantos, on a still deeper subject, the origin of good 

 and evil. His most finished performance, however, 

 is " The Alps and its Inhabitants," a noble theme, 

 which received ample justice at his hands. 



To his high poetical talents, Haller conjoined a 

 very extensive acquaintance with history and biogra- 

 phy. This he had an opportunity of demonstrating 



