DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69942#0196
HALLER. [SWITZERLAND.
made several botanical excursions in the neighbouring
mountains.
He was born with a delicate constitution, which he had
strengthened by exercise and temperance; but in the last
years of his life he was afflicted with a disease which
proved fatal to him, after a long series of excruciating
pains. He looked forward to his dissolution without dis-
may or impatience. He desired his friend and physician,
Mr. Rosselet, not to conceal from him his real situation ;
and this gentleman ventured to tell him that the autumn
of 1777 would probably be the period of his existence.
Haller exhibited no signs of fear at the information-
continued his usual modes of life, and in his last moments
employed himself in marking the decay of his organs.
He felt his pulse from time to time, till he at length said
to Mr. Rosselet, “ My friend, the artery no longer beats/’
and immediately expired, on the 12th of December, 1777.
Mr. de Haller was most agreeable in conversation—his
elocution was free, strong, and concise—and his knowledge
wonderfully diversified. His immense reading, fertile and
faithful memory, and sound judgment, gave satisfaction to
men of all dispositions. He was superior to the affectation
of wit, and disdained to make a parade of the knowledge
he possessed. His soul was gentle, and his heart replete
with sensibility. All his writings are expressive of his
love of virtue. Pure in his own morality, and persuaded
of the truth of religion, he thought it his duty to enter
the lists as the avowed champion and defender of both.
Mr. de Haller was in his person tall and well-propor-
tioned. His countenance, which had acquired a serious cast
from his short-sight and the habitual tension of his muscles,
was full of expression, and changed in proportion to the
degree of energy in the ideas which occupied his mind.
made several botanical excursions in the neighbouring
mountains.
He was born with a delicate constitution, which he had
strengthened by exercise and temperance; but in the last
years of his life he was afflicted with a disease which
proved fatal to him, after a long series of excruciating
pains. He looked forward to his dissolution without dis-
may or impatience. He desired his friend and physician,
Mr. Rosselet, not to conceal from him his real situation ;
and this gentleman ventured to tell him that the autumn
of 1777 would probably be the period of his existence.
Haller exhibited no signs of fear at the information-
continued his usual modes of life, and in his last moments
employed himself in marking the decay of his organs.
He felt his pulse from time to time, till he at length said
to Mr. Rosselet, “ My friend, the artery no longer beats/’
and immediately expired, on the 12th of December, 1777.
Mr. de Haller was most agreeable in conversation—his
elocution was free, strong, and concise—and his knowledge
wonderfully diversified. His immense reading, fertile and
faithful memory, and sound judgment, gave satisfaction to
men of all dispositions. He was superior to the affectation
of wit, and disdained to make a parade of the knowledge
he possessed. His soul was gentle, and his heart replete
with sensibility. All his writings are expressive of his
love of virtue. Pure in his own morality, and persuaded
of the truth of religion, he thought it his duty to enter
the lists as the avowed champion and defender of both.
Mr. de Haller was in his person tall and well-propor-
tioned. His countenance, which had acquired a serious cast
from his short-sight and the habitual tension of his muscles,
was full of expression, and changed in proportion to the
degree of energy in the ideas which occupied his mind.