should take
but ten or twelve, to stay in the house together, and be in one form, by
which means he would not be overburdened." He begs of him to inform
himself whether there was not such a house in Amsterdam where he might
place Van Sorgen's sons. Vossius joined with Grotius in his thoughts on
education[185].

The death of his Landlord obliging Grotius to remove, he went to lodge
with a Dutchman called Ahasuerus Matthias[186], formerly Minister at
Deventer, which he left on account of his adhering to Arminianism. The
return of his wife from Zealand in Autumn 1633, who had always been his
consolation in adversity, rendered his life more agreeable. [187]He
mentions it to Descordes Nov. 13, 1633, and informs him that though
several settlements were offered him, he had not yet determined which to
embrace, but would soon come to a resolution. He passed his time in
writing his Sophomphanaeus, or Tragedy of Joseph[188], which he finished
whilst at Hamburg. It is probable that if he had had his Books and
Papers he would have applied himself to something else at his age: but
this kind of study was suitable enough to his present situation.

Salvius, Vice-Chancellor of Sweden, a great statesman, and a man of
learning, was then at Hamburg. Grotius made acquaintance with 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 invite Grotius[189] to come to him, that he
might employ him in affairs of the greatest importance, as we shall see
in the following book.

FOOTNOTES:

[177] Ep. Grotii 245. p. 107. Ep. inter Vossianas 216. p. 131.

[178] This Letter is dated at Hamburgh Feb. 9, 1632. He was still in
Holland in the month of February. See the Letters written to his
brother, 308 and following, p. 845.

[179] Ep. 291. p. 106.

[180] Ep. 298. p. 108.

[181] Ep. 299. p. 108, and 300. p. 108.

[182] Ep. 319. p. 114.

[183] Ep. 322. p. 848.

[184] Ep. 327. p. 448

[185] Ep. Grotii 330. p. 119

[186] Ep. 336. p. 121

[187] Ep. 331. p. 113.

[188] Ep. 337. p. 122.

[189] Ep. 345. p. 123.

BOOK IV.

When it was known in Europe that Grotius had no longer any connexion
with the Court of France, the greatest Princes sought to draw to them a
Man who to the most profound learning and knowledge of public Law joined
the strictest probi