However much Grotius was employed in the business of his embassy, he still found time for study, which was one of the greatest pleasures of his life.  He has even been accused of applying too much to literature for an Ambassador[445]; but his letters testify that he did not go to study till he had finished what his duty to the crown of Sweden required of him, and spent in it the time only which other Ministers give to their pleasures, to conversations often useless, and visits sometimes unnecessary.

Eight days after making his entry into Paris in quality of Ambassador, he wrote to Salmasius, March 9, 1635[446], informing him of the happy change in his affairs.  He acquaints him, that when he shall be a little used to business, he hopes to have leisure enough to continue the cultivation of learning.  “How desirous soever I may be of serving the public in this respect, he says, I know not where I ought to begin.  My Commentaries on the Evangelists would be apt to expose me to hatred in the present age, when every one maintains his opinions with obstinacy.  The History of the Low-Countries, tho’ written with great simplicity, will find malevolent readers.  Shall I return again to trifles, such as are not unworthy men of learning, and turn into Latin the Epigrams collected by Planudas?  One thing hinders me:  I know you have made several corrections in the Manuscripts, and I am unwilling to translate from a faulty copy.  Yet I cannot expect that you should interrupt your studies, to send me the corrections you have made.”

“My greatest relief from the languors of the Court, he writes to Schmalz[447], is the conversation of men of learning, to whom I chearfully give all the time that I can spare from business.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[445] Du Maurier, p. 418. & 423.  Wiquefort Ambas. l. 1. p. 95.

[446] Ep. 368. p. 134.

[447] Ep. 373. p. 136.

II.  Neither his serious studies, nor his public occupations, ever made him relinquish the Muses:  Amidst his embarrassments and anxiety in the beginning of his embassy, he put his tragedy of Joseph to the press[448], which had all the success that could be hoped for; and wrote several Latin Epigrams.  June 26, 1637[449], he sent some to his brother that were just finished; observing to him that he would possibly one day add to them a Greek translation in verse of the Latin verses in Suetonius; and a Latin translation of Euripides’s Iphigenia in Tauris.

He wrote to Gronovius, February 17, 1638[450], that he unbended himself at times, after his weightier business, in the company of the Muses.  “However much I am busied, he writes to Freinshemius[451], I still preserve my affection for the Muses, and look upon them as the most agreeable of all Amusements.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[448] Ep. 378. p. 138 & 339, p. 851.

[449] Ep. 402 p. 869.