that he was not capable of accomplishing it alone fought for if one may so say Adversaries rather than Approvers to the end that the Obligation to answer them and sift their Objections might render him more and more exact and might be a means to make him open his Eyes upon that he was not able to know before In order to this he hopefully expected the Objections the Jesuits of La Flesche Louvain Lifle and some other places had promised him by their Letters but he was somewhat surprized to learn by some of them that they wonderfully approved of him that they desired nothing as to what he was pleased to explain but only in that which he would not write and that they demanded of him his Physick and Metaphysick with great Importunity VI. In France the reading of his Book operated upon the Spirits of Men according as they were well or ill prepared There were but few things in all that he had writ that did not appear dubious to some and Novel in respect of others the true knowing Persons did not boggle at all they found new which could not render the Author odious but to such who were fond of their own Prejudices yet they took an occasion from what seemed dubious to make some Objections against him M. Mydorge had been one of the most fit Persons in that respect if so be he had not been beforehand of the same Opinion with him in several things from the very first time they saw one another in Paris He might have been able at least to propound some difficulties to him concerning divers Passages in the Sixth Book of his Dioptricks where he treats of Vision in a quite different manner from that he was wont himself to explain this matter he was content to mention such a business to Father Mersennus who gave Monsieur Des Cartes notice of it in Writing He did not take ill some Advices the Philosopher gave him in his Answer to this Father After that he had no other Objections to start to his Friend nay he was so far from fatigueing him with many others upon that score that one may say he plaid the Des Cartes in Paris in taking upon him to answer for his absent Friend all the Objections which they had not a mind to send into Holland He was not alone in studying to render him friendly Offices in Paris Monsieur Des Argues who already was very busie with Father Mersennus to make the Priviledge of his Book effectual against the disobliging Practices of the Sieur de Beaugrand was wanting in nothing wherein he could be serviceable to him with Cardinal Richelieu and to give Credit to his new Speculation of Dioptricks amongst those who were about his Eminence He let him understand by Father Mersennus that the Cardinal was pleas'd to give ear to the Propositions they had made to him of endeavouring to make Spectacles and Prospectives according to the Rules he had Prescribed in his Dioptricks Monsieur Des Cartes thought it stood him upon to cross this Understanding and to that effect he desired Father Mersennus to declare to M. Des Argues and others that had an hand in this Business that he was extreamly obliged to them for the good Opinion they had given to the Court of his Dioptrical Inventions but that he did not believe that the Cardinal's thoughts ought to stoop so low as to a Person of his Rank It was not out of an unseasonableness that he resisted the purposes of these Gentlemen it was out of timerousness lest they might not successfully compass their End in his Absence and lest they might lay the Workmens fault at his door for he judged his presence necessary to direct the hand of Turners and to give them new Instructions according as they proceeded or failed VII Amongst the Virtuoso's of France that would fain have tried a touch with Monsieur Des Cartes there was none of them found more diligent than nor more capable to do it than M. de Fermat a Counsellor of the Parliament of Thoulouse one of the Chief Men in the Age for fine Endowments of Mind and especially in respect of Mathematicks The Month of November he sent to Father Mersennus some Objections against M. Des Cartes his Dioptricks and this Father received an Answer to them in the Month of September notwithstanding the distance of places that might have afforded a pretence for delays At the same time Monsieur Petit then Commissioner of the Artillery and the King's Ingeneer who was since Surveyor of the Fortifications started likewise some Objectious against the Treatise of Dioptricks which Monsieur Fermat found to come but little short of his own Mr. Fermat before he had received an Answer to his Objections caused to be dispatched to Monsieur Des Cartes by Father Mersennus a Pamphlet of Geometry of his Composing De Maximis Minimis i. e. of the greatest and least quantities and that he might conceal his Name again from Mons Des Cartes he made use of that of M. de Carcavi one of Lyons a Friend of his being then his Collegue in the Parliament of Tholouse This Present Monsieur de Fermat sent to Monsieur Des Cartes was not only a Token of his esteem and grateful acknowledgment but also an Advertisement of what he believed Monsieur Des Cartes had omitted unawares or forgotten unseasonably in his Geometry That occasion'd a new difficulty to arise in the clashing Mons Fermat begun which he believed to be in a capacity to decide in a few days But it was no such easie matter to extinguish these first sparks the fire of the Dispute got ground by the Zeal of those who were willing to enter upon it at length two material Points one relating to Dioptriques the other to Geometry became the main Subject of their Debate Here you may take notice of the cause of that famous Quarrel which continued even after Monsieur Des Cartes his Death this is that Monsieur de Fermat stiled his Skirmish with Monsieur Des Cartes or sa petite guerre contre Mons Des Cartes and that which Monsieur Des Cartes calls son petit proces de Mathematique contre Mons de Firmat VIII Whilst Monsieur de Fermat amidst his great business in pleading Causes and Domestick Affairs appli'd himself tooth and nail to the Answer Monsieur Des Cartes made to his Objections about Dioptriques Father Mersennus receives Monsieur Des Cartes his Observations and Animadversions upon his Treatise de Maximis Minimis but instead of sending them directly to Monsieur de Fermat in conformity to Monsieur Des Cartes his intent he thought it convenient to shew them to a couple of this Magistrates particular Friends in Paris the one was Monsieur Pascal the Father heretofore President in the Court of Aides in Auvergne the other was Monsieur Roberval Mathematique Professor in Paris These Gentlemen supposed themselves obliged to espouse the Qurrel of
health of his Son before he attempted any thing upon his mind To this effect they carried on the business that nothing was spoiled So that a Man may say these first studies were nothing but sleight Essays and but superficial rude draughts and delineations at those they intended to make him perform when he was of Age. His Father considering he was going into his ninth year thought it behoved him to take the advantage of the new foundation of that famous Colledge of La fleche in favour of the Jesuits he admitted him and put him into Commons there Anno 1604. after Winter was over and recommended him particularly to the care of Father Charlet his Kinsman This Father who was along time Rector of this Colledge before he proceeded to the chief employments of the Company conceived such a tender affection for young Des Cartes du Perron the willinger took upon him all the care in reference to his Body as well as his Mind He was like both a Father and Governour to him above eight years together that he stay'd in the Colledge and helped him to Father Dineâ— for a tutour who was since Provincial and Confessour to our Kings Both of them perceiving our young Scholar pretty sensible of all their kindnesses were not long before they joined to them some esteem and affection for him and after that had been his directours as to his Studies Conduct and Behaviour so they made him their Friend and continued so to be till death whom also they were careful to discourse with and entertain by a mutual commerce of Lettâ—â—â— and Recommendations Young Des Cartes whom we shall no longer call du Perron but only at such time as there is need to distinguish him in His Parentage Had brought along with him at his first coming to the Colledge a more than ordinary Passion to acquire the Sciences and this Passion being backt with a solid understanding yet quick lively and free withal he evermore answered the intentions of his Father and diligence of his Tutors beyond expectation in all the course of his Humanity which was five years and an half none ever perceived in him the least affectation of singularity except that which emulation produced for he took some Pride to out-run such of his companions who had out-stript others Being of a very good nature of an easie complying humour he never found himself uneasie at the submission he paid to his Masters Will and his diligence in plying his business and performing his task both of the Classe and Chamber cost him nothing With these two hopeful dispositions he made great proficiency in the knowledge of the two Tongues the importance and necessity whereof for understanding ancient Authors he early apprehended He loved Poetry a great deal more than those who look upon him but as a Philosopher can possibly imagin Nay he had even something of a Talent for Poetry he hath made it plainly appear that he was not astranger to the phancies and niceties thereof He found moreover a great deal of pleasure in the Fables of the Ancients not so much because of some mysteries of natural and moral Philosophy that was couched under them as that they roused his Spirit by their genteil phancies In recompence of his faithfulness and exactness wherewith he discharged his duty he obtain'd liberty not to keep close to Lectures nor compositions which otherwise were enjoin'd him in Common with his associates Now his business was to make use of this liberty to satisfie his passion which he felt to increase in him to acquire a clear and certain knowledge of whaâ—â—oever conduceth to the profit and advantage of Life which they had put him in hopes to attain by means of humanity upon this account not taking up with that which is taught in the Colledge he run over If a man may believe him all the Books that treat of Sciences that men account the most rare and curious which you must understand only of what could at that time come to his hands I shall add for the undeceiving those who have suspected that in the whole series of his life that he had but small inclination or value for Books that we meet with but very few sentiments more advantagious than those he past upon them in those days He was fully persuaded that reading of good Books is as it were the conversing with the greatest wits and honestest persons of former ages who were Authors of them but withal that it was a studied conversation in which they discovered to us their best thoughts only V. Besides emulation of study behaviour and genteil breeding Colledges do yet produce another advantage of which Monsieur Des Cartes would not be deprived that is to say the advantage of friends and acquaintance which one does there contract with those of his own age and humour and which prove the Seeds of the strongest and most durable friendship the antientest of his Friends were without doubt those he got acquaintance with in the Colledge of La fleche But besides Renatus le clerc since Bishop of Glandave and the Sieur Chauveau of Melun who afterward became a grand Mathematician and a zealous Cartesian we know no more besides in those days but Father Marinus Marsennus a Minim who past for Monsieur Des Cartes his Resident at Paris amongst Learned men and for the Dean of his friends and followers notwithstanding he was near upon eight years older than he and albeit he was in his Rhetorick when the other did but begin his Accidence M. Des Cartes was in the first year of his course of Philosophy when the news of the Kings Death slain upon Friday May 4. 1610. made a Non term in the Colledge this Prince upon bestowing his house of La fleche upon the Jesuits desired his Heart that of the Queen and his Successours might be carried thither after their Death and kept in their Church so that all the time that past between that fatal news and the removing the Kings Heart to La fleche was spent in publick Prayers in the Colledge in funeral compositions both in Verse and Prose and in preparations for the reception of this depositum It was performed on the first of June with a great deal of Ceremony and it was constituted and agreed upon in the Townhall of La flesche that upon the aniversary day their should be performed every year a solemn Procession with Service suitable thereto for the Kings Soul and that the said day should be observed thence forward just as Holy days are in shutting up all Courts of Indicature in making vacation in the several closses and causing all shops to be close shut up Monday following of June the term begun again for performing the usual exercises in the Colledge and Monsieur Des Cartes continued his Study of Ethicks The Logick he studied the Winter foregoing was the only one of all the parts of Logick whereto as he afterwards declared he applied
one may safely say that the World owes to his Morning Meditations in Bed all those fine important productions of his Brain both in Philosophy and Mathematicks VII Having finished the course of his Studies in the Month of August 1612. He quits the Colledge of La flesche after eight years and half being Resident therein and returned home to his Fathers House with the accumulated Praises and Good Word of his Masters or Tutours There remain'd to him all his whole Life after a great stock of thankful acknowledgment for the obligation they laid upon him and he had a great kindness and esteem for the Colledge which he was wont to extol above all others whether it was because his own experience had afforded him a more particular knowledge of it or else because we are natural and commonly induced to commend the Place of our Education equally with that of our birth and to boast of our Masters as of our Parents But altho' he might be satisfied with his Masters upon his leaving the Colledge yet was he by no means satisfied with himself It seem'd to him that he had got nothing by his Studies but a greater knowledge of his ignorance all the advantages he had gained in the Eyes of the World and which were bragg'd of as so many wonders were all reduced according to his own opinion to embarras and perplexity to doubts and troubles of mind The Laurels wherewith his Masters crowned him thereby to distinguish him from his fellow Students appeared to him but Thorns If we do not belye nor undervalue the judgment of those who were well acquainted with those times we should not deny but that he abundantly deserved a stripling as he was that Rank the Publick bestowed on him even at that time amongst the Able Learned Men of the Age. But it was never a more dangerous time to be lavish of the quality of a Wise and Knowing Person for he was not content only to reject this quality which Men would have fastened upon him but willing to measure other Mens Corn by his own bushel it was ten to one but he had taken those who bore the same quality for no real Knowing Learned Men and his undervaluing of whatsoever Men Term Sciences was very like to have discovered it self The displeasure he conceived to see himself disabused of the mistake wherewith he flatter'd himself to be able to acquire A clear and assured knowledge of whatsoever is profitable to life Was like to have precipitated him into despair seeing besides that the Age he lived in was as flourishing as any of the preceeding and phancying with himself that all the Men of Parts of which this Age was very fruitful found themselves in the same predicament he was in although peradventure they were so sensible of it as himself he had a shrewd Temptation to believe that there was no such thing as a Science in the World in every respect such an one as they made him hope for The result of all these tedious vexatious Deliberations was that from the year 1613. he would forsake and discard all Books and totally rid himself of the Study of Learning By this kind of forsaking he seem'd to imitate the greatest part of your Sparks of Quality who are not necessitated to Study whereby to subsist or to get Preferment in the World Yet there is this difference that these in bidding adieu to Books dream of nothing else but to shake off that Yoak which the Colledge had rendred insupportable to them whereas Monsieur Des Cartes would not have packt off his Books for which he had otherwise a great love for but only because he found not in them what he sought for upon the Credit of those who ingaged him to ply his Study Although he was sensible how much he was obliged to his Masters who omitted nothing within the verge of their power for to satisfie him Nevertheless he did not believe himself at all beholden to his Studies for what he afterward effected for traâ—ing of Truth in Arts and Sciences he did not stick to say to some Friends that although his Father had not brought 〈◊〉 up a Schollar yet he would not for all that have forborn writing in his Mother Tongue the self same thing he has written in Latin VIII He spent the Winter at the latter end of 1612. and beginning of 1613. in the City of Reimes or Rennes in paying visits to his Family to learn to ride the gaeat Horse to learn to Fence and other such like Exercises suitable to his quality one may guess by a little Treatise of his concerning Fencingâ— whether or no he mis-spent his time in that Exercise His Father who had already caused his Elder Brother to apply himself to the Law seemed to have some thoughts of designing him for the Service of his King and Country in the Army but his tender years and the weakness of his Constitution would not permit him to expose him so early to the Toiles of War He judged it adviceable first to let him see the World to that purpose he resolved to send him to Paris towards the Spring but perhaps it was a great over-sight in him to Abandon him to his own Conduct and leave him to himself without affording him any other Governour but a valet de Chambre and not any to inspect him besides a Lacquey or two he relyed too confidently upon the wisdom of a Youth of 17. years void of Experience and of all helps but his own proper strength to wrastle against all occasions of undoing himself Yea and he had power enough to guard him from grosser Debauches not to be overtaken by the Disorders of Intemperance but he found he was not proof against Companies that hawled him away to take a walk now and then to Gaming and other Divertisements that pass in the World for indifferent in themselves that which contributed much to make him more particularly addicted to Gaming was that he came always off with great Fortune especially in those Games that depend more upon industry than chance But the worst improvement he made during this idle time was the renewing his Acquaintance with divers persons whom he had seen at La Flesche and the Friendship he Contracted with some Persons of worth who served a little to reclaim him from that aversion that had seized him for the Study of Books The most considerable of his new Friends was that Famous Claudius Mydorge Treasurer of France and of the generality of Amiens Son to a Counsellor of the great Chamber and Successor to Vieta in his Reputation of the chief Mathematician in France during some time M. Des Cartes who was younger by almost eleven years found I know not what in this Acquaintance Whether for his humour or the Character of his Mind which united them so close in such strict bonds of Friendship that nothing could have separated them but Monsieur Mydorge his Death It was about the
abode at Deventer he was moved to return to that City to avoid the frequent Visits his Sojourning at Amsterdam drew upon him Five or Six Months after viz. towards the latter end of Autumn Anno 1635. he pass'd into Friezland and retired to Lewarden the Principal City of the Province two Leagues from Franeker where he remain'd till the Year 1629. there he Composed or rather that I may make use of his own Expression he Broached his small Treatise of Mechanicks for M. de Zuitlechem his Friend and Correspondent a Gentleman of great Worth Counsellor and Secretary to the Prince of Orange He came back to Amsterdam about the beginning of March and made a great many Curious Observations concerning the Crowns or Circles of Candles in relation to our Eyes Understanding at his return that one of his Acquaintance was busy'd in putting out a Treatise of Spectacles he most frankly and generously sent him his that was made upon the same Subject His Friend took out of it what he thought fit for his purpose now that Part of the Treatise relating particularly â—o the Practice served his turn The rest was â—ot quite lost some of it saw the Light and was since found digested and inserted in Monsieur Des Cartes his Dioptricks Towards the latter end of the same Year he lost one of the best and ancientest Friends he had acquired in Holland by the Death of Isaac Beeckman Principal of the Colledge of Dordrecht or Dort BOOK IV. From 1637. till 1638. I. II. AFter the resolution Monsieur Des Cartes had taken to suffer his Works to be Printed in his Life-time one would have thought that all the Business had been to kill him to put the Publick in Possession of a Benefit that was to be their own His Friends made him reflect upon the Injustice of this Proceeding and snatch'd him out of harms way that is from the danger of being Sacrificed to the Publick Danger in causing him to conclude upon Publishing what he had put in a Condition to come abroad He reduced what was contain'd in his Papers to Four Treatises for which he desired they would crave the Priviledge of the King which was granted with Testimonies of esteem and respect for him the 4th of May 1637. to cause to be Printed not only the Four Treaties there specified but also whatsoever he had written till that time and whatsoever else he might write during the whole Course of his Life in what Part 〈◊〉 thought most convenient within or without 〈◊〉 Kingdom of France c. These Four Treatises that he would have 〈◊〉 pass for the Essays of his Philosophy werâ— Printed at Leyden Intituled A Discourse of 〈◊〉 Method for the well-governing ones Reason and 〈◊〉 find out truth in Sciences Moreover Dioptricâ— Meteors and Geometry with certain Essa◠〈◊〉 this Method His design was not to teach all his Methoâ— in the first of these Treaties But not to propose any but what he deem'd sufficient to makâ— a Man judge that the new Opinions that shoulâ— appear in the Dioptricks and Meteors were not conceived at Random or a la Legere and that it would be worth the while strictly to examine them He begun his first Treatise or Discourse of Method with divers Considerations upon Sciences Then he proposeth the Principal Rules of Method which he sought for his particular use in the manner of conducting or governing a Man's Reason After that he produceth some Maxims of Morality that he hath drawn from this Method Then he deduceth some Reasons by which he evinceth the Existence of a God and of the Humane Soul which make up the Foundations of his Metaphysicks One may there see further the order 〈◊〉 Questions of Physicks and that he hath inâ—ired into together with the difference beâ—ixt our Soul and that of Beasts In the last â—ace he makes a deduction of things he supâ—osed requisite to proceed farther in the reâ—arch of Nature than any one had hitherto â—one He concludes solemnly protesting â—at his chief scope and aim tended only to â—e Advantage and Profit of his Neighbour â—ut that he was altogether averse from deâ—â—ring ever to apply himself to what might be of â—o Advantage to some without doing wrong to â—hers He did not pretend by this Treatise to Prescribe any Method to any Man but only â—o make known to all that Method he himself had followed by the right which the liâ—erty of conducting himself according to those Natural Lights he received from God allowed â—im III. The first Essay of this Method is the Treatise of Dioptrickâ— divided into Ten Parts which make so many Discourses or very short Dissertations concerning Light Refraction â—he Eye and Senses concerning the Images that are formed at the bottom of the Eye and concerning Vision Spectacles and cutting of Glasses The design of the Author in this Treaty was to shew us that one may proceed pretty far in Philosophy to arrive by means of it to the Knowledge of Arts profitable to Life The Treatise that he makes upon the second Essay of his Method is that of Meteors divided into as many parts as that of Dioptricks He treats therein of Terrestrial Bodies of Vapours and Exhalations of Salt of Winds of Clouds Rain Snow and Hail of Tempests Lightning and other Fires kindled iâ— the Air and of the Rain-bow of the colouâ— of Clouds of Circles or Crowns appearinâ— now and then round about the Stars of Paâ—helia's or Apparitions of many Suns The last of the Essays of his Method is his Treatise of Geometry containing Three Books where is handled chiefly the Construction of Problems the Author's design in these Works was to shew the way of Demonstration that he had discovered abundance of things not known before him and to hint by the by that one may find still a great many others to the end he might more effectually excite all Men to the research of Truth But a Man would be mistaken to believe that Monsieur Des Cartes intended to deliver the Elements of Geometry in this his Work which requires othergates Readers than Scholars in Mathematicks He studied in the Three Preceeding Treatises to make himself understood by every body because the main Business was to make those things to be comprehended that were never taught before or whose true Principles by none was ever yet delivered but perceiving that there was a great number of Works of Geometry against which he had nothing to say he thought he was not oblig'd to repeat in his Treatise what he had found good and very well demonstraâ—ed in others so that so far was he from renâ—ring them unserviceable that he laboured â—hat he could to make them necessary beginâ—ing where they left off Insomuch that it 〈◊〉 expedient to have read them to compreâ—end his Geometry He suppress'd the Prinâ—iples of the greatest part of his Rules with â—heir Demonstrations He foresaw also that â—everal who might have read other Geomeâ—ries yet who
was obligeâ— to carry on very prejudicial to him and 〈◊〉 ways comporting with his Solitude and Traâ— quillity of his Life IV. No body at that time was more promoted nor look'd upon than Voetius in the University of Vtrecht he was Professor Primariâ— in Divinity besides Chief Minister or Pastâ—â— in the City He assumed wherever he went such a triumphant huffing Air that he brougâ—â— with him from the Synod of Dordrecht or 〈◊〉 where he chanced to be of the Victorioâ—â— Party that is to say of those who being assisted with the Sword and Authority 〈◊〉 P. Maurice had accomplished their aim in condemning the Party of the Remonstrants anâ— he had acquired in the City a sort of Authority over Men's Spirits by I cannot tell what reputation of Gravity and Sufficiency He haâ— a Spirit naturally prone to contention anâ— wrangling and spoil'd by reading the Polemicks of the Controvertists of his Party and of Books of Irreligion and Boufonnery where in he had spent a great deal of time He waâ— of a very Whimsical maggotish Humour buâ— of an ordinary mean Judgment and Superficial Learning The good Qualities that he might challenge for his own were supported with a spice of Love for himself accompanied with an inward scorn of all those he was not Master of Insomuch that being accustomed by a long habit not to esteem what he did not understand and not understanding in Philosophy whatsoever was not comprehended within the limits of trivial Scholasticism one might have pardoned him the little relish and aversion that he had had at first sight for Monsieur Des Cartes his Works if he had not been allarm'd â—t it as a pernicious Novelty which it behoâ—ed him to exterminate The reverence that was due to Reneri had stopt his Mouth till his Death but going prepossess'd to his Funeral Oration the unexpected Encomiums he there heard of Monsieur Des Cartes fill'd him with so much jealousy that he came from it with a resolution to set â—work all that ever his Industry could supply him with to destroy this Novelty Nevertheless the Approbation wherewith the Magistracy back'd these Encomiums obliged him to slacken his Career that he might not unseasonably come to Daggers-drawing with his Superiours wherefore setting aside what was within the Verge of Philosophy against which it was not safe nor becoming to shew his teeth he reduc'd his intent only to heap together what might any-ways relate to Divinity in the Discourse and Method of Monsieur Des Cartes as the subject matter of his censures endeavouring by this means to banish his Philosophy out of the University as destructive to the Protestant Religion and Tranquillity of the States of the United Provinces He began his Hostilities with some Theseses he composed in June An. 1639. concerning Atheism and for the observing some order in the Productions of his ill-will he refrain'd from nominating at first dash the person he had a design upon and contented himself only to lay the foundation of his Calumny wherewith he thought he must load him that he might have his end to ruin him This Calumny in which he hath still persisted since consisted in making M. Des Cartes pass for an Atheist and to the end that one should not be deceived in taking another for him he scattered up and down in his Theseses amongst the Criterians of Atheism all the things he knew to be ascribed to Mr. D. C. by the common report V. These first steps of Voetius open'd Regiâ—â— his Eyes and he perceived it behoved him to practise dissimulation if he meant to keep in with him that put him in mind to secure himself in the Physick Chair more than hitherto he had done and to reserve the principal Business of New Philosophy for the Problems he read upon certain days in the Week by the by out of the hours appointed for publick Lectures in which he seem'd to rely upon the consent of the Professors not excepting Voetius who had even been serviceable once more in the Petitioning for this New Commission But altho' he left his Auditors to their liberty of believing or not believing Problems yet did he not refuse occasions to demonstrate the ridiculousness or weakness of ancient Opinions This Cunning way contrived insensibly to destroy the Principles of the vulgar Philosophy in vogue in the Schools proved yet more dangerous to it than his open and Sincere manner of teaching Des Cartes his Principles in his Lectures of Medicine This is that which put his Colleagues to their trumps who conserved some value for that Philosophy which had been taught them who thought it was very much for them to grant Regius the Permission to teach the new Opinions together with the old Regius not submitting enough out of his Writings and Lectures to cape the meaning and drift of Monsieur Des Cartes being of a mild and moderate Spirit administred a fresh occasion of discontent to his Colleagues by a piece of weakness that he shew'd in an Act of Philosophy on the 9th of July kept under Professor Senguerdius by one Florentius Schuyl who proved a notable Cartesian afterward for all that The Opponent that disputed had compos'd his Arguments according to the Opinions of the New Philosophy and he had chosen the Nature and Properties of the Loadstone for the subject of them The Respondent notwithstanding otherwise well verss'd in his Dictates and Papers of his Master seem'd a little gravelled but the Professor interposing to bring him off up starts Regius and without respecting either the Assembly or Professors Duty interrupts him very indecently insults over him and would fain have adjudged the Victory to the Opponent which Civility and Custom might have obliged him to suffer the Respondent to bear away This Action which we have had an account of from none besides his Enemies did offend the Professors of the University in general and made them willing to hearken to what Voetius could hint to them against the Innovations The Exercises a few days after put an end to this Thesis and Regius writing to Monsieur Des Cartes the 14th of July when Vacation begins would be sure to acquaint him what he had done at the Act. He only gave him to understand That he had finished his Publick Course of Medicine for that Year that he still strictly adhered to his Principles and Method and passionately desir'd he might conser with him about the best way of making a new Course the ensuing Year which begun after the Fair in August according to the regulation of the University Altho' his measures to go for Egmond were broken by the need that his Wifes bigness had of his presence yet did he not for all that spare Mons Des Cartes his time He scarce did any thing else all along September and October but answer the Consultations of this Professor How tedious and how frequent soever these Letters of this Zealous Disciple were yet did he not
Answers Monsieur Des Cartes gave him This saying chanced to escape from him that his Physicks were nothing else but Mechanicks and he declared something to him as his Confident that he would not otherwise have told because that the proof of it depended upon his World Monsieur de Beaune suffer'd this Advertisement to persist He used many instant Intreaties to prevail with him to publish his World which the accident that befel Galilaeus had made him to keep close under Lock and Key But not being able to accomplish his desire altho' he was at that very time the only He of all his friends to whom he was mosâ— unlikely to refuse any thing Monsieur Des Cartes had quitted his abode at Egmond some time ago and was retired 〈◊〉 Haderwick Regius finding he was still too 〈◊〉 distant from him thought with himself thaâ— if he did but once peep out of his Solitude 〈◊〉 North-Holland any other place would be indifferent to him Wherefore he begg'd 〈◊〉 him that he would please to come neareâ—â— Vtrecht as well for the satisfaction of several of his friends in the City as for another greaâ— convenience he should have of consulting him nearer hand He came therefore some few Months after to lodge in a Country-house near that City in the Neighbourhood of the Castle Renoud the dwelling-place of Monsieur de Haestrecht his friend But whether it was by reason the Winter was vehement in the Country or that he apprehended Voetius practices I know not but away goes he at the beginning of the Year after to live at Leiden where he had yet more friends than he had at Vtrecht Besides Monsieur de Hooghland a Catholick Gentleman and some Magistrates he might have well reckoned the half of the Professors the chief of which was Golius Schuchen and Salmatius Son to a Councellor in the Parliament in Bourgundy without forgetting Rivet who was of Poictou with another Minister of the place called Abraham Heide alias Heidanus This last who was in high reputation in the Country was not subject to usual faults of other Protestant Ministers And altho' Monsieur Des Cartes profest to be a friend to none of them the extraordinary merit of Monsieur Heidanus made him presently except him out of the number He was not only satisfied to be a follower of his Philosophy as others were but he was also the Protector and Supporter of it having the name of the most Eloquent Preacher in the Country so he most advantageously improved it to instill into his Auditors the value he himself put upon this Philosophy from which he deduc'd his Arguments Comparisons and Explanations that made him be cry'd up and admired It did not fare so with Rivet who crackt to be a Cartesian without understanding the Wriings of Monsieur Des Cartes All his friendship consisted in nothing else in a manner but in a kind of an itching humour he had to speak of him continually in his Letters and in his Company The least Toys in the World were Subjects good enough for him to write to Father Mersennus to Monsieur Gassendus and other Virtuoso's of France provided he could but bring Monsieur Des Cartes in by head and shoulders He it was that inform'd them concerning the so much talk't of wager about Mathematicks between young Wasseneur and Stampion where Monsieur Des Cartes was present drawn in by the indiscretion and ill-will of the latter notwithstanding Wasseneur's Victory was very glorious for our Philosopher who went publickly for his Master yet he managed this business but as a piece of Merriment which was not worthy of Rivet's disturbance nor the curiosity of the Mathematicians of France In the mean time there was a Book past the Press at the Hague writ against Monsieur Des Cartes it was the first of all the Works that had ever been undertaken to ruin his Philosophy That the Author should come off well in the matter was a business of great consequence to the end that other Adversaries that were to bring up the Reer might from thence take a good Omen The Author run a risque in appearing first in the Combat Yet had he the discretion to conceal his Name that he might not expose himself as a Laughing-stock in case of bad success The Event justified his Prudence The Book came abroad for a New-years-gift in the year 1640. The great Name of the Man that he attaqued provok'd the curiosity of some to see it and it was not long before it was in the hands of the ingenious in France and England the business prov'd the Glory and Renown of Monsieur Des Cartes they dispens'd with the Author as to his Name only they took it very ill to see that this Anonymous Fellow had not answered the Expectation of those that required something besides idle Stories against a Philosopher who was brought in question and was to be confuted in good earnest Mons Des Cartes seem'd to be the same Man he was for all that and even let this Mist vanish of it self Voetius in the interim cast about in Vtrecht how he might accomplish his design to undo Monsieur Des Cartes as to his Reputation and to have him declar'd an Enemy to the Reformed Religion and Protestant Churches â—ay and by those too that honoured him most with their kindnesses He had caused Acts to be kept a second and third time wherein he had rubb'd up the old Sore reviving the Scandal of Atheism against him on purpose by little and little to prepare the Spirit of the People and to cause the Magistrates at length to change their good disposition towards him But now to effect this design Regius was mark'd out for Ruin this is what he mainly laboured after canvassing his Lectures and Writings to find something that might bear an Action He begun at the Examination of the new Opinions which Regius vented in his Chair where he read Physick and laid to his charge before his Colleagues whatsoever was amiss and not conformable to the Antient Physicians and Philosophers established and allowed on in the Universities of Holland his Complaints broke out at 〈◊〉 upon the account of an Act or Publick Disputation the Professors were to keep the Tenth day of June concerning the Circulation of Blood which he taught according to the Hypothesis of Harvey and Des Cartes which still past but for an Heresie amongst the ignorant and opinionative He went so far as to make the most part of the Professors to revolt from this Sentiment Insomuch that the magnificent Rector Bernard Scotanus who otherwise was one of Monsieur Des Cartes his Friends and Regius his particular Friend could not withstand the earnest Intreaties to hinder him from reading in favour of these Innovations The Rector laid the matter before hiâ— in such a manner as if he meant only barely to exhort him to look about him take some course to prevent the murmuring of his Colleagues and
those that he was about to frame himself by the reiterated Study of his Meditations Monsieur Des Cartes seeing them of divers pieces and different Compositions did his utmost to reduce them into order Then he sent them back again together with the Answer he gave Father Mersennus about them who call'd them the Sixth Objections after which he made them finish the Impression of the Book of Meditations VI. Whilst Monsieur Des Cartes was taken up with his answering the Objections they made against his Metaphysick Meditations Voetius the Minister procured a great reinforcement to his Faction by the Rectorship of the University of Louvain to which he got himself preferr'd 16th of March An. 1641. Regius beholding him in this manner invested with all the Authority that was needful for the executing his designs against Monsieur Des Cartes and him sought all occasions to curry favour with him or at least to prevent the dire Effects of his ill-will The Rector at first was overjoy'd to observe his Submissions and seeing he did so handsomly by him as to offer him his Thesis to Correct he was content only to make some Notes upon it to save the honour of the ancient Philosophy and left the Paradoxes and new Opinions alone to him by way of Corollaries together with the permission to put Monsieur Des Cartes his Name at the top of his Thesis The first dispute of these Theses was perform'd on the 17th of April Regius moderated and he that kept the Act was the Sieur Johanes de Roey still alive who hath gotten himself a great Name by his great Writings and Learning The great Abilities of the Moderator and Respondent to make the new Opinions Triumph soon made Voetius repent of all his Condescentions he took occasion upon a Tumult and the Peripatetique Professors making their Scholars to hiss Regius to take up his resolution again of making him lose his Professors Chair and to Expel him â—he University Regius to stand upon his own Defence cauâ—ed a plain Exposition of this first Dispute to â—e Printed He demanded withal some reâ—ef from Monsieur Des Cartes and sent him â—ll the Theses or Positions in order as they â—ere to be disputed on the 5th of May â—ith the Remarks the Rector had made upon â—em before he would let them pass Monsieur Des Cartes found nothing too unreasonaâ—le in the Rector's Remarks but having fielded to the request Regius prefer'd to examine his Theses without favour or affection He corrected divers things which he should â—ave been sorry to have been ascribed to â—im for it was commonly given out and beâ—eved that Regius had no other Opinions but â—ose of Monsieur Des Cartes So that people â—ot being any longer capable of shaking off â—is Opinion it was expedient that Monsieur Des Cartes should pass nothing over to Regius â—ut what he would adopt for his own and of which he could not advantageously underâ—ake the Defence He began at that very time to observe some â—eeds of Errour in that which Regius imagin'd of his own head and chiefly in what concerns â—e reasonable Soul but he was still Master of his Mind and he had no cause to complain of his docibility The second Theses disputed on the 5th of May made as great a stir as the former maâ—y other disputes followed them all the Summer long which served only to heighten his Reputation and to exasperate the Spirits of the Professors already prejudic'd against him insomuch that they were resolved to oppose the Progress of these Novelties and to enter an Action in the Name of the University against him and Monsieur Des Cartes Voetius who outwardly was pacified by the submission of Regius pluck'd off the Mask at last and declared himself the Chief of his Adversaries upon pretence that in some places of his last Theses he had let fall some Expressions different from the common Language of the Schools that he had not shewn him This Protestant Minister having no more to expect from Mersennus who for all he expected a Consutation from him sent him nothing but a grave Reprimand for the Injustice of his Carriage undertook to attack Monsieur Des Cartes in two places first of all by Dispute setting his Theses against those of Regius and then again by his Pen by confuting his Writings In quality of Rector he ordered Stratenus Professor in Physick and Ravensperger Professor of Mathematicks to refute all these Novel Opinions in all the Publick Acts of November and December As for himself he reserved the care to oppose in the Theological Act kept under him what he judged prejudicial to Religion The last Thesis of Regius being stufft with divers Questions that had no relation nor coherence one with another and being they were Composed according to the Fancy of them that responded rather than to that of the Moderator One of the Respondents had unadvisedly put into one of his Assertions that of the Union of the Soul and Body there did not result a being per se but only per accidens â—alling a being per accidens whatsoever was composed of two Substances quite different without denying for all that the Substantial Union by which the Soul is joyn'd to the Body nor yet that Aptitâ—â—â— or natural Inclination that both these parts have for this Union Regius seeing these Expressions displeased Monsieur Des Cartes as being too harsh tryed to excuse himself to Voetius but â—o no purpose This Minister took occasion from thence to have him declared an Heretick and to get them to proceed to the turning him out of his place In the Name of the Faculty of Theology that is to say of himself his two Colleagues Carolus Dematius and Mainardus Schotanus and of the Pastors of the City he ordain'd that the Students in Divinity should abstain from the Lectures of Regius as from Dogma's and Tenets pernicious to Religion Then he causes some Thesis to be Printed which were to be maintain'd in December against the Paradoxes of the esse per accidens in Man of the Motion of the Earth and against the Opinion that disallows Substantial Forms His Design was to get them signed beforehand by the two other Professors in Divinity and by all Divines whatsoever who were either Ministers or Preachers in the City and then to depute some Persons to the Magistracy to give them notice that Regius should be condemned by a Consistory or Ecclesiastical Assembly to the end that the Magistracy might not lawfully dispense with his not being removed from the Chair Regius having had an inkling of what they were contriving against him goes presently to tell Monsieur Vander Hoolck of it who was one of the Consuls that protected him and an intimate Friend of Monsieur Des Cartes The Consul sent word to the Rector Voetius ordered him to Correct his Theses to leave out the Title and whatsoever might concerâ— the reputation of Regius The Rector who was to sit
Moderator at these Theses being 〈◊〉 a quandary at the Consul's order spoke not one word more either of the Consistory or signing yet because the Passages of the Theses's that related to Regius and Des Cartes were already Printed and because they were to be defended the next day he made use of this pretence to Cloak his Disobedience and ill Intensions These Theses's were defended the 18th 23th and 24th of December The Respondent whose Name was Lambert Waterlaet signalized himself full as much as the Professor in opposing these new Opinions defended with an equal heat by the Opponents who were almost all Regius his Disciples The Professor seeing himself towards the end a little too much put to it by one of the Opponents who urged the Argument home and would not be put off with his Responses was not able to extricate himself but by saying out of spite That those who did not like the ordinary way of Philosophy might expect another Monsieur Des Cartes as the Jews expected their Elias who should teach them all Truth VII Voetius seem'd to triumph over the new Philosophy during the Three days of the Publick Act. But Regius foreseeing that if he should hold his tongue many would think him conquered indeed and on the other hand that â—f he went about to defend himself by Pubâ—ick Theses and Acts they would not fail to drown his Voice by Hissings Hummings and Clapping of Hands as they did at his last Theses of the 8th of December ingaged to Answer in writing Voetius his Theses's He â—ends his Answer to Mons Des Cartes to be examined informing him by the way that the Spirits were more and more incensed against him and that Consul Vander Hoolck's advice was that he had better be silent Monsieur Des Cartes being inform'd by Coâ—onel Alfonso of what had happen'd at Vtrecht â—et Regius understand that he was of the Conâ—ul's mind That his opinion ever was that â—e should by no means propound new Opinions as New but by retaining the name and appearance of old one should be content to introduce new Reasons and use all means fit to make them be liked What signified it says he for you to go so publickly to reject Substantial Forms and Real Qualities Don't you call to Mind that I did declare in express terms in my Treatise of Meteors that I did not rejectâ— them and that I did not pretend to deny them 〈◊〉 but only that they were not necessary to explainâ— my Conception and that I could without them make my Reasons be apprehended If you had taken this course none of your Auditors would have revolted to the contrary side and you shoulâ— not have procur'd you any Adversaries But setting aside blaming what cannot be helped you must think of redeeming your time and improve what is to come it is incumbent upon you now to defend with the greatest Modesty you are capable of that which is true in what you have propos'd and to Correct without being wedded 〈◊〉 your Opinion that which did not appear so to be or what is ill exprest being perswaded that there is nothing more Commandable nor more becoming a Philosopher than a sincere Acknowledgment of his Faults These Remonstrances back'd by the advice of Consul Vander Hoolck Counsellour Van Leew Colonel Alfonso and Professor Emilius could not alter the resolution of Emilius who thought that if his Answer did no good to the Publick yet it would at least be of great use to his Scholars M. Des Cartes being concern'd at his obstinacy thought it necessary to make use of some Condescension not to discourage him and having corrected his Writings upon his reiterated Intreaties he drew up a new Project of an Answer full of obliging Expressions and Praises of Voetius he flourished with formula's of respect for others and modestly for himself this Model of an Answer with Matter Reasons and Means and Manners of filling it up are still remaining amongst his Letters as one of the fairest Monuments of his Meekness and Prudence yet altho' he had observed to him afresh that his silence would stand him in more stead than all the Answers in the World yet he must go and publish his Writing the success whereof answered the fears and apprehensions that men had of it They made people believe it was no better than a Libel in effect Printed without the Magistrates Order distributed by a remonstrant Bookseller against the honour of the Rector of the University in general and of the Protestant Religion it self Voetius obtain'd that the Judge of the City Government should seize all the Copies of them which making the Book more scarce and to be more eagerly inquired after did so provoke the Rector that having got on his side the greatest part of the Professors of the University and Senators of the City Counsel he obtain'd a Decree from the Magistrates and after that a Judgment of the University against the New Philosophy strictly to charge and forbid Regius not to read or teach publickly any thing but Physick or Medicine and not to hold any private Conferences Regius dispatcht all these Proceedings to Monsieur Des Cartes the 31st of March 1642 sending him the Decree of the Magistrates of the 15th of the said Month together with the Judgment and Definitive Sentence of the University and the Theses of young Voetius the Rector's Son Monsieur Des Cartes sent him word back again That as for the Theses they might be waved nay and the Judgment of the University too being an Act both contrary to the due Course of Law and irregular But as for the Decree of the Magistrate it was not the same case for the Senate had issued it out only to be freed from the Importunities of Voetius and his Colleagues he advised him to stick close to the Decree accordding to the Letter and to teach nothing but Medicine according to Galen and Hippocrates adding That Truth would not be long before she would have some or other to enquire after her wheresoever she was Notwithstanding Voetius ill-satisfied at these Proceedings writ made his Son and Disciples write against Regius His Son published his Theses in favour of Substantial Forms and Waterlaet Printed a Pamphlet intituled Prodromus as if it had been the fore-runner of that he prepar'd for the Press tho' Fortune was not so favourable to him as to succeed his Design For seeing that all Honest Men were but ill satisfied with his Behaviour at Utrecht and that sending it to Leiden to get it Printed there under the Directions of a Renegado Monk the Rector of that University Golius by Name suppres'd it before it was quite finished and the Monk took him to his heels VIII The good News that Monsieur Des Cartes received at that time touching the good success of his Philosophy in France and especially amongst the Fathers of the Oratory the universal approbation of whom he had gain'd served a little to blow
over the Mortification he met with at Vtrecht The Jesuites seemed and appear'd somewhat more divided amongst themselves Some of them were content to like his Principles and Reasonings or to praise his good Intentions and Endeavours without going any further Others there were who without more adoe embraced his Philosophy and declared that they were followers of the same No man ever went farther than Father Vatier who told him in plain terms that he did wonderfully approve of whatsoever he had writ without excepting his Explanation of the Eucharist and Father Mesland to do honour to his Philosophy Composed an Abridgment of his Metaphysical Meditations put them into a Scholastick stile and intelligible to the meanest Capacity Cartesianism made mighty progress in the Company of the Jesuits not only in Flanders but in France it self under the Protection of two Principal Persons of that Order I mean of Father Charlet French Assistant to the General at Rome and of Father Dinet Provincial of the Jesuites at Paris afterward Confessor to King Lewis XIII who honoured Monsieur Des Cartes with their Esteem and Friendship and encouraged him to go on with his Work But amongst so many Friends and Admirers that he might reckon amongst the Jesuites you cannot choose but imagine but there must be some envious Person that spoke ill of his Writings and decry'd him and whispered their dislike of his Works Father Bourdin behaved himself more cordially and sincerely towards him ever since his dispute upon Dioptriques have made him his Antagonist He was pleased to attack him openly by certain Objections he framed against his Meditations yet protesting nevertheless That he would not infringe the Laws of Friendship that was between them nor yet the Rules of Decorum and Civility that is practised amongst the Learned Monsieur Des Cartes pretending he had not strictly performed his Conditions besides the Answer he gave to his Objections writ to Father Dinet who was still Provincial a long Letter in the nature of a Dissertation to complain of them Wherein also he gave a description of the Troubles which happened at Vtrecht and laid open Voetius in all his subtil Intrigues The colours he made use of to Paint him proved seeds of new Discontent which he was likely to reap in process of time upon the account of Voetius and his Cabal But the trouble he received from Father Bourdin issued in a fair reconciliation accompanied with a solid lasting friendship Father Bourdin's Piece against the Meditations with Monsieur Des Cartes his Answer and Letter to Father Dinet was Printed under the Title of the Seventh Objections at the end of the Second Latine Edition of the Meditations which was put out at Amsterdam â—in 1642. IX From Easter of the year foregoing Monsieur Des Cartes sojourned in the Castle of a Village called Eindegeest or Endegest half a League from Leiden by the Sea-side one of the most pleasant Situations in all Holland There he received Visits more willingly than he had done elsewhere whether because his Age and Disputes had humanized more than formerly or because it became him to grant something to the report of his reputation and yield to the delightsomness of his abode is not much material but he was there visited in the year 1642. by Samuel Sorbiere a Provincial a man of parts and very inquisitive to understand the Virtues and Vices of the Learned of his time He thought he must study and practice Monsieur Des Cartes more in his Conversation then Books But our Philosopher being a man of few words spoil'd his design and albeit he hath spoken very well of him yet after all we must confess that his great desire to do M. Gassendus a Kindness and to set them at odds together hath made him commit abundance of Injustice in respect of Monsieur Des Cartes Regius was not of that Spirit he had other concerns that made him render frequent Visits to Mons Des Cartes at Eindegeest which he took for his School There it was he got acquaintance with Abbot Picot who at the latter end of the year was come to see our Philosopher in the company of the Abbot Touchelay the younger who was a kind of Secretary to him in Answering for him the Questions of Phisicks and Mathematicks that were put to him In the mean time the Duke de Luineo for the benefit of all Frenchmen translated Monsieur Des Cartes his Meditations into the vulgar Tongue Monsieur Clerseiier one of the most zealous and vertuous Friends of Monsieur Des Cartes incouraged by this Example translated another of the Objections and Answers annex'd These two Translations were sent to Monsieur Des Carts to be Perused and Corrected a long time before which he did with that exactness that he made them even better than his Latine X. Whil'st Monsieur Des Cartes his Friends that were in France came in Crouds to Eindegeest where they knew he made himself more visible than in other places the Enemies to his Philosophy carried on their design at Vtrecht Voetius now grown weary in writing Libels and Pamphlets against it and his Person and Regius did corrupt a young Professor of Groninguen called Schoockius who had formerly been one of his Scholars to put Pen to Paper or at least to lend him his Name with a design to make the World believe that Monsieur Des Cartes had other Enemies besides him He had a new Book in the Press at Vtrecht against him and finding that they sent all the Sheets to Monsieur Des Cartes to be refuted according as they Printed them he put the Copy of it into the hands of Schoockius desiring him to take care of it caused him to put his Name to it on purpose to cause Monsieur Des Cartes to be condemned of Precipitation and that then he â—ight handle him as a Slandeâ—er and an Impostor that father'd other mens Books upon him In the Interim there happened an accident that made a diversion to this Libel and its refutation by another Libel that Voetius writ in the interval of the Impression against the Burgesses of Bosleduc or the Busse that is against the Fraternity of our Lady of the Rosaâ—y which since the reducing of this City became common to Protestants and Papists by an Agreement of State Policy Desmarets the Minister confuted it by an Order from the Burgesses of Bosleduc but seeing he writ rather for them than against Voetius Monsieur Des Cartes took upon him to supply this last Point and by that means gain'd the Esteem of the Chief Men of Bosleduc and the particular Acquaintance of Desmarets albeit his intent was not to court the Protestants but to do a piece of good Service to the Catholick Religion He never put himself to the trouble to make a Treatise of it apart but he put this Writing just after the refutation of the other Libel which was to bear Schoockius his Name and he