ad he been
convicted of a capital crime: he was known to be hated by the Prince of
Orange, whom the Dutch at that time sought very much to please.

Peter Grotius, thus escaping out of the hands of his enemies, retired
with his family to a country seat he had near Harlem, where he spent the
rest of his days in educating his children, and reading the best
authors. He died at the age of seventy. Some pretend, but without
foundation, that he was poisoned. Those who knew him particularly speak
of him as one of the best heads of his time. "Peter de Groot, son of the
great Grotius, was not so learned as his father, says Wicquefort; but I
may venture to assert he was as able a Minister. We can't say too much
of this man, who was above all praise. I write this after receiving the
news of his death. How much is Holland to be pitied for losing a man who
would have assisted in repairing the breaches made by the disorders
which have for some years prevailed in the state! He joined solidity of
judgment to the graces of wit, and must have possessed these qualities
in an eminent degree since they shone thro' such a disagreeable figure.
It may be said of M. de Groot, that never did such a deformed body lodge
such a fine and great soul: he had a surprising ready wit, his
conversation was delightful, his understanding clear and solid, and his
sentiments just and equitable: he possessed great knowledge of all sorts
of business, foreign and domestic, and especially of what the French
call the art of pleasing."

Grotius's third son, Diederic, began his studies in a very promising
manner. Grotius writes to his brother William, August 16, 1630, "I am
overjoyed to hear that Diederic's progress even exceeds my hopes. I wish
he may continue." His grandfather John Grotius was his tutor. When he
came to be old enough to be put to some business, Grotius designed him
for an Engineer. He learned under the famous Boschius, and came
afterwards, in the beginning of 1636, to see his father at Paris.
Grotius having applied to the Duke of Weymar to take Diederic into his
service, he entered into that Prince's houshold as one of his Pages, and
was much respected: the Duke soon after made him his Aid-de-Camp.
Grotius seemed to be well satisfied with his son at the time this youth
had the misfortune to lose his Patron.

On hearing of the Duke of Weymar's death Grotius immediately thought of
sending Diederic to Marshal Bannier. He wrote a letter to that
Gene