A model (not a theory), based on steric and charge removal characteristics of the substituents, is used to rationalize the low-field shifts caused by carbon tetrachloride (compared to cyclohexane) in the proton resonance spectra of 22 polyhalosubstituted benzenes. The low-field shifts are as large as 0.16 p.p.m. and these are found for protons situated between two ortho fluorine substituents. Larger halogens present a steric hindrance to the approach of the polarizable C-C1 bonds of the solvent and lead to smaller shifts. The charge removed from the region of the C-H bonds by the substituents is estimated by means of a function of the bond dipole divided by the bond length. A shape effect, arising when two hydrogens are ortho to each other, also appears to be present if there are bulky distant groups.