22 
MEMOIR OP BARON HALLER. 
liim, he 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 him self to this capti- 
vating study, that for a time medicine seemed 
almost forgotten, until some land 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, hut 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 modems ; and at the same 
