oems_[152].

FOOTNOTES:

[147] Bayle.

[148] Ep. 280. p. 104.

[149] Ep. 91. p. 782

[150] Barbeyrac's Preface.

[151] M. Daube, Essais sur les principes du Droit, Preface, p. 6.

[152] Ep. 183. p. 798.

X. In the mean time Grotius began to grow tired at Paris: his pension
was ill paid, and his revenue insufficient to keep him decently with a
wife and a numerous family. July 12, 1623, he writes to his brother,
"Pensions are no longer paid here, which embarrasses me greatly. If any
Prince, such as the King of Denmark or the Elector of Saxony, would
employ me, and offer me a handsome salary, it would be worth my notice.
At present nobody thinks of me, because they imagine I am employed by a
great King. I have lost some powerful friends: those who are now in
power wish me well; but they have too much business on their hands, and
I don't love to importune."

M. D'Aligre being made Keeper of the Seals, Grotius flattered himself
that it would be an advantage to his affairs. "He is a good man, says
he, and I shall be well recommended to him. I shall go to see him when
he is less harrass'd with visits; and try whether his friendship can be
of use to me. However (he writes to his father and brother, Jan. 21,
1624) if any thing favourable should offer in Denmark or the Maritime
Towns, I would consider of it." He made a visit to the new Lord Keeper,
and received a promise of more than he hoped for: but he began to build
no longer on compliments: he wished his friends would try to get him a
settlement in the North; but would not have it known that he set them
on. Some advised him to go to Spires, where there was an Imperial
Chamber, and follow the profession of an Advocate: the writings there
were all in Latin, the Roman law was followed, and the Augsburg
confession the religion professed. January 26, 1624, he begs of his
father to inform himself of the manner of living in that country, for he
must soon come to some resolution.

In the mean time hopes were given him of his pension[153]: though no
pensions were paid, the Keeper of the Seals promised that he would take
particular care of him; and was in fact as good as his word: one of the
first things he did was to speak to the King in favour of Grotius[154],
and to obtain an order for the payment of the greatest part of the
arrears owing to him. However he still pressed his father and brother to
seek out a settlement for him[155]. Feb. 16, 1624, he wrote to them that