tained a cause of some consequence to him; for, having reclaimed his effects which were confiscated, his demand was granted. At last, notwithstanding the inefficacy of his friends' solicitations, he resolved, by his wife's advice, to go thither; and accordingly set out for Holland in October 1631. The sentence passed against him being still in force, his friends advised him to conceal himself, which step appeared to him shameful and ill-timed. He went, however, first to Rotterdam, as thinking it the safest, because, having filled the place of pensionary with much honour, he was greatly beloved in the town; but the magistrates giving him to understand, that they did not approve his appearing in public, he left Rotterdam, and, passing to Amsterdam, he was extremely well received there; and Delft also, where he was born, shewed him sincere respect.

But no city ventured publicly to protect him; and the States-General, thinking themselves affronted by this boldness in continuing in the country without their leave, and by the repugnance he shewed to ask them pardon, issued an ordinance, December 10, 1631, enjoining all bailiffs of the country to seize his person, and give them notice: yet such was the general sympathy of his countrymen, that no person would execute it; and, to employ himself till his fate should be determined, he resolved to follow the business of a chamber-counsel. With this view he desired his brother, in a letter dated February 16, 1632, to send him what law books he might want for that office; but of these he could make no long use; for, the States-General on March 10 renewed their ordinance, upon pain to those who would not obey, of losing their places, and with a promise of 2000 florins to any one who should deliver him into the hands of justice. Upon this he thought proper to seek for an asylum elsewhere; and, on March 17, he set out from Amsterdam on his way to Hamburgh, and passed the fine season at an agreeable seat called Okenhuse, near the Elbe, belonging to William Morth, a Dutchman. On the approach of winter, he went to Hamburgh, and lodged with one Van Sorgen, a merchant: but the town did not prove agreeable to him, and he passed his time but heavily till the return of his wife from Zealand in autumn 1633. She had always been his consolation in adversity, and rendered all his sufferings more tolerable, not more by her affection, than by her good sense, and resources of mind. Her business at Zealand was to collect the remains of their

fortune, which she probably brought with her to Hamburgh. While he continued here, some advantageous proposals were made him from Spain, Poland, Denmark, the duke of Holstein, and several other princes; but still entertaining the thought of a reconciliation with his native country, it was long before he could be prevailed upon to abandon it, to which measure the following circumstances at last contributed.

He had always entertained a very high opinion of Gustavus king of Sweden; and that prince having sent to Paris Benedict Oxenstiern, a relation of the chancellor, to bring to a final conclusion the treaty between France and Sweden, this minister became acquainted with Grotius, and resolved, if possible, to draw him to his master's court: and Grotius writes, that if that monarch would nominate him ambassador, with a proper salary for the decent support of the dignity, the proposal might be accepted. In this situation Salvius, vice-chancellor of Sweden, a great statesman, and a man of learning, being then at this city, Grotius was introduced to him, and saw him frequently. Polite literature was the subject of their conversation. Salvius conceived a great esteem for Grotius, and the favourable report he made of him to the high-chancellor Oxenstiern determined the latter to write to Grotius to come to him, that he might employ him in affairs of the greatest importance. Grotius accepted of this invitation; and setting out for Francfort on the Maine, where that minister was, arrived there in May 1634. He was received with the greatest politeness by Oxenstiern, who did not yet, however, explain his intentions. In confidence of the highchancellor's character, and apparent sincerity, he sent for his wife, who arrived at Francfort with his daughters and son, in the beginning of August. The chancellor after for some time continuing to heap civilities upon him, without mentioning a word of business, ordered that he should follow him to Mentz, and at length declared him counsellor to the queen of Sweden, and her ambassador to the court of France.

As soon as he could thus depend upon an establishment, he resolved to renounce his country, and to make it known by some public act, that he considered himself as no longer a Dutchman. In this spirit he sent his brother letters for the prince of Orange and the Dutch to that purport, July 13 of this year: he likewise wrote to Rotterdam, which

had deferred nominating a pensionary after the sentence passed against him, that they might proceed to an election, since they must no longer look upon him as a Dutchman. He set out from Mentz on his embassy to France in the beginning of 1636, and made his public entry into Paris, March 2, and was introduced to Louis XIII. on the sixth. The great business of this embassy was to obtain the French king's assistance to Sweden against the imperialists, in transacting which, he always supported with great firmuess the rights and honours belonging to the rank of an ambassador. He continued in that character in France till 1644, when he was recalled at his own request. In order to his return, having obtained a passport through Holland, he embarked at Dieppe, and arrived at Amsterdam in 1645, where he was extremely well received, and entertained at the public expence. That city fitted out a vessel to carry him to Hamburgh, where he was, May 16, this year. He went next day to Lubeck, and thence to Wismar, where count Wrangle, admiral of the Swedish fleet, gave him a splendid entertainment, and afterwards sent a man of war with him to Calmar, whither the chancellor sent a gentleman with his coach to bring him to Suderacher. He continued there about a fortnight with the chancellor and other ambassadors, who treated him with great honours. Returning to Calmar, he went by land to Stockholm, whither queen Christina came from Upsal to see him.

Her majesty had, before his departure from France, assured him that she was extremely satisfied with his ser›vices; and she now gave him several audiences, and made him dine with her, and he appeared to be abundantly pleased with the honours he received: but as he saw they were in no haste to do any thing for him, and only rewarded him with compliments, he grew uneasy, and asked leave to retire. He was confirmed in this resolution, by finding the court filled up with persons that had conceived a jealousy against him; besides, the air of Sweden did not agree with him. The queen several times refused to grant him his dismission, and signified that if he would continue in her service in quality of counsellor of state, and bring his family into Sweden, he should have no reason to repent it but he excused himself on account of his health, which could not bear the cold air of that kingdom. · He asked a passport, which they delaying to grant, he became so uneasy that he resolved to go without it. Leaving Stockholm, therefore, he went to a sea-port two leagues

distant, in order to embark for Lubeck. The queen, being informed of his departure, sent a gentleman to tell him she wanted to see him once more, otherwise she should think he was displeased with her. He returned therefore to Stockholm, and explained himself to the queen, who seeme i satisfied with his reasons, and made him a large present in money, amounting to 12 or 13,000 imperials; adding to it some silver plate which was not finished sooner, and which he was assured had delayed the granting of his passport. That was afterwards issued; and the queen gave him a vessel, on-board which he embarked, August 12, for Lubeck.

But the vessel was scarce sailed when a violent storm arose, which obliged her after three days tossing to put in, August 17, on the coast of Pomerania, fourteen miles from Dantzic. Grotius set out in an open waggon for Lubeck, and arrived at Rostock, August 26, very ill, having travelled about sixty miles through wind and rain. He lodged with Balleman, and sent for Stochman the physician, who, from the symptoms, judged he could not live long. On the 28th he sent for Quistorpius, minister of that town, who gives the following account of his last moments : You are desirous of hearing how that phoenix of literature, Hugo Grotius, behaved in his last moments; I am going to tell you." He then proceeds to give an account of his voyage, and his sending for Stochman, a Scotch physician, after which he goes on as follows: "he sent for me about nine at night; I went, and found him almost at the point of death. I said, 'There was nothing I desired more than to have seen him in health, that I might have had the pleasure of his conversation;' he said, God hath ordered it other wise.' I desired him to prepare himself for a happier life, to acknowledge he was a sinner, and repent of his faults; and happening to mention the publican, who acknowledged he was a sinner, and asked God's mercy, he answered, I am that publican.' I went on, and told him that he must have recourse to Jesus Christ, without whom there is no salvation.' He replied, I place my hope in Jesus Christ.' I began to repeat aloud in German the prayer that begins 'Holy Jesus;' he followed me in a very low voice with his hands clasped. When I had done, I asked him if he understood me; he answered, I understand you very well.' I continued to repeat to him those passages of the word of God, which are commonly offered to the remembrance of dying persons; and, asking if he

understood me, he answered me, I heard your voice, but did not understand what you said.' These were his last words; soon after he expired, just at midnight. His body was delivered to the physicians, who took out his bowels, and easily obtained leave to bury them in our principal church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary."

Thus died this extraordinary person, August 28, at night, 1645. His corpse was carried to Delft, and deposited in the tomb of his ancestors. He wrote this modest epitaph for himself:

"Grotius hic Hugo est Batavûm captivus & exul,

Legatus regni, Suecia magna, tui.”

Grotius had a very agreeable person, a good complexion, an aquiline nose, sparkling eyes, and a serene and smiling countenance. He was not tall, but well-formed and strong. Two medals were struck in honour of him. Among his works, besides those we have mentioned, are, 1. "Anthologia," of which, however, a few specimens only remain. 2. "Via ad Pacem Ecclesiasticam." 3. "Historia Gothorum," &c. 4. "Remarks on Justinian's Laws." 5. "Commentary on the Old and New Testament, with several pieces annexed." 6. "Dissertatio Hist. & Politic. de Dogmatis, Ritibus, & Gubernatione Ecclesiæ," &c. 7. "De Origine Gentium Americanarum," &c. with two answers to Dr. Laets in its defence. 8. "An Introduction to the Laws of Holland." 9. "Notes to Tacitus," published in Lipsius's edition, 1640. 10. "Notes upon Lucian," published in 1614. In 1652, there came out a small collection, in 12mo, with this title, "Hugonis Grotii quædam inedita, aliaque ex Belgicè editis Latinè versa argumenti theolog. jurid. politic." and in 1686, an edition of his "Epistles," folio, containing 2500 letters in chronological order, from 1599 to 1645.

His theological works, printed in 3 vols. fol. but usually bound in four, include his Commentaries on the Bible, concerning which there have been various opinions. Some esteem him one of the best general commentators, and plead for him that he must not be thought to oppose a doctrine because he rejects some of the texts which have been quoted in support of it. This is plausible; but others conceive that doubts as to his orthodoxy are well founded, and it is evident that none of his biographers have been able to set up a good defence of him in this respect. CalVOL. XVI.

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