If we consider him with regard to the art of Disputation, I have never seen a person reason with less force, as is evident from his pieces which Rivetus and Desmarets have answered.  There are several who may be ranked with him as to knowledge of polite learning, and even a great number who excel him:  not a few have had as much Greek and Latin, and many of the learned have been more masters of the Oriental Languages.  His Florum sparsio in jus Justinianeum shew his skill in the Law.  A Professor of Helmstat has undertaken to confute his book Of the Rights of War and Peace, and has told some friends, whom I have seen, that he would prove that every page contained gross blunders[734].  He was a great Poet; but every one here prefers Barlaeus; some even Heinsius.  But besides, when the point to be decided is priority in learning, poetry is set aside by consent of all good judges.  Vossius excels Grotius in every thing.  This is not only my opinion, but that of all the learned in Italy, Germany, Poland, and Holland, as I have had an opportunity to know by their letters, their writings, and their conversation.  If we compare their writings, which of Grotius’s works can we prefer to those of Vossius?  Is it his Notes on Martianus Capella, written when he was but a boy?  Is it his Aratus? in which he has ostentatiously introduced some Arabic terms, for he scarce knew the elements of that language, as he acknowledged to me himself in some letters which I keep, written in answer to my enquiry about some Arabic words that puzzled me.  Will you tell me of his Notes on Lucan? what Vossius has done on the fragments of the ancient Tragic and Comic Writers appears to me of much greater value.  We know from other pieces what a poor critic Grotius was, though a great man in some respects.  As inconsiderable as I am, I would not have my name prefixed to his Commentary on the Old Testament; for nothing can be more childish, or unworthy a man of his great character, than many of his notes.  I shall take notice in another place of his Commentary on the New Testament, and frankly declare what I think of it.  Such are my sentiments of the person who merits the first place in literature.  I have the suffrages of many of the learned in different branches for me, and shall name them when you inform me who are of your opinion.”

This letter, in which hatred, jealousy, and partiality openly shew themselves, rather hurt Salmasius than injured Grotius’s character:  the contempt with which he speaks of the excellent treatise Of the Rights of War and Peace, which is worth all that Salmasius ever wrote, incensed the whole republic of letters against him.  It has been observed that all that was good in his pieces On the power of Kings, is taken from Grotius, whom he hath not once named; and that when he departed from him, he sinks much beneath Grotius.  But such was Salmasius’s character:  jealous of the reputation of those