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, he 
published anonymously a series of odes and epistles 
in German, which were at first attributed to Murajt, 
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 
