62 MEMOIR OF BARON HALLER. 
* 
the same plan; and it was thus he acquired that 
almost incredible erudition of which his works are 
such striking proofs. 
Upon the whole, the disposition of Haller was 
somewhat austere, and he long retained the impres- 
sions first made upon him, whether of favour or 
of injury. On some occasions he exhibited an 
arbitrary conduct, even towards his children, and 
frequently required considerable sacrifices at their 
hand. This trait became more conspicuous with 
bis advancing years. Oppressed with infirmities, 
and also loaded with dignities and favours, not 
having the resource even of forming new desires, 
and abandoned solely to the passion of study, every 
thing which had no connexion with it had no charm 
for him. In fact, this in the long run very much 
altered his character, and no one could have dis- 
covered in him the affectionate friend of Gesner, 
and the fascinated and devoted admirer of his Ma- 
rianne. 
Haller was about the middle stature ; he had 
much life in his eye, much expression and noble- 
ness in his physiognomy, and he united great mental 
strength with a prodigious and unceasing activity. 
In a word, he was gifted with powers of which few 
men in a generation or an age are possessed, and 
he used them with almost unexampled assiduity. 
He was perhaps both the most voluminous and 
learned writer since the time of Galen. It has 
been alleged that his writings are somewhat ob- 
scure; but even his enigmas merit consideration. 
