22 MEMOIR OF BARON HALLER. 



him, lie turned aside into Switzerland, and there 

 passed some time in the society of the celebrated Ber- 

 nouilli, Professor of Mathematics at Basle. Under 

 his guidance he engaged in the study of geometry, 

 and so entirely did he devote himself to this capti- 

 vating study, that for a time medicine seemed 

 almost forgotten, until some kind hints from his 

 master again altered the current of his thoughts, 

 and prompted him to return to his former and most 

 favourite pursuit. The time which was thus spent 

 in the exact sciences was far, however, from being 

 mispent ; and his acquaintance with them was ever 

 afterwards useful to him, not only in the propound- 

 ing of his own views, but more especially in pointing 

 out those errors, which at that period were so pre- 

 valent from their abuse. 



Haller returned to his native city in 1729, and 

 though still a very young man, he now seriously 

 engaged in the labours and pursuits attendant upon 

 his arduous profession. After some years, he sought 

 the situation of physician to one of the public 

 hospitals. On his first application, another candi- 

 date was preferred; but very soon afterwards the 

 situation was offered to his acceptance, and he most 

 creditably discharged its duties till the year 1736. 

 In 1734, the Republic of Berne established a school 

 for anatomical demonstrations, and requested their 

 accomplished countryman to superintend it, The 

 same year, in a competition for the chair of Belles 

 Lettres, he delivered a discourse on the superiority 

 of the ancients over the moderns; and at the same 



