60 
MEMOIR OP BARON HALLER. 
execution. The reading of new books, which were 
sent to him from every part of the world, was the 
only relaxation which he allowed himself. It is 
remarkable that he even slept in his library, and 
sometimes did not leave it for months : he always 
took his repasts in it ; and when his family were 
there collected round him, to partake of their com- 
mon meal, he had under his eye all that was dearest 
to him in this world. His individual tastes and 
manner of living were the most simple and frugal 
possible. He ate but little and drank only water : 
and we find that in his poem on the Alps, far from 
condoling with the inhabitants of these mountains 
because the vine did not flourish in their soil, he 
regarded the privation as a benefit and a blessing. 
The following anecdote may give us some idea of 
his devoted activity. A short while after his return 
to Berne from Gottingen, in ascending a stair, 
he fell and broke his right arm. It was set by an 
able surgeon; and Haller instantly set to work as 
much as possible to provide a substitute for it. Nor 
was he long in procuring one ; for the next morning 
the surgeon found him surrounded with his books, 
and writing with wonderful facility with his lef 
hand ; it was with some difficulty the surgeon could 
obtain time for the necessary dressing, and Haller 
seemed to view the affair chiefly as rendering useless 
one of his ordinary instruments of labour. 
His excessive devotedness to study exerted an 
influence not only on his own character, but also on 
every thing -which surrounded him ; his mansion 
