[30] Ep. 1581. p. 711.  Ep. 325. p. 115.

[31] Ep. 3. p. 1.  Ep 4. p. 1.

X. Grotius, who had resolved to follow the Bar, pleaded his first cause at Delft in the year 1599, at his return from France.  The study of law and poetry employed one part of his time; he spent the other in publishing the works he had prepared for the press.  The first he gave to the public was Martianus Capella.  This is one of those obscure authors, who are commonly not read till we have nothing else to learn:  the title of his work is, Of the marriage of Mercury and Philology, in two books; to which are annexed seven other books on the liberal arts.  The author was an African, and his style, like that of most authors of his nation, obscure and barbarous; which makes it not easy to be understood.  Before this there was no good edition of his works.  John Grotius had put into his son’s hands a manuscript of Capella:  Hugo shewed it to Scaliger; and this learned man, whose counsels were commands to the young Grotius, engaged him to study that author, and publish a new edition of him.

Though Grotius was then but fourteen, the difficulty of the undertaking did not discourage him:  he read all the works that had relation to the matters Capella treated of; and at length acquitted himself of the task enjoined him by Scaliger with such abilities and success, as, to use Mr. Baillet’s words, astonished the whole world.

The work appeared in 1599.  It would have been published before, but for his journey to France, and some delays occasioned by the bookseller.  Grotius also informs us, that he would have printed it sooner, had he been less taken up with the study of the law.

To judge of Grotius’ labour it will be sufficient to read what he says in the preface.  “We have collated Capella with the several authors who have treated the same subjects:  in the two first books with those who have written of the sentiments of the ancient Philosophers, Apuleius, Albricus, and others too tedious to name, on Grammar we have compared him with Grammarians:  what he has said on Rhetoric, with Cicero and Aquila; on Logic, with Porphyry, Aristotle, Cassiodorus, Apuleius; on Geography, with Strabo, Mela, Solinus, Ptolemy, but chiefly Pliny; on Arithmetic, with Euclid; on Astronomy, with Hygin, and the rest who have treated that subject; on Music, with Cleonides, Vitruvius, Boethius.”

Rightly to understand Capella requires an acquaintance with all the Sciences.  The principal use of his book is to shew how far the knowledge of the Ancients extended.  Grotius, when in France, had often the honour of paying his court to the young Prince of Conde, at that time presumptive heir of the crown:  he was so well pleased with his genius, and learning, which was above his years, that he dedicated his Capella to him.  The dedication is dated December 29, 1598.