it would be pushed more briskly, if those who concern themselves in it were not persuaded that you would decline the proposal.”  Grotius[191] answered, that he would readily have waited on Savasi if he had sent him his compliments; and that he guessed what it was that hindered him.  “When your King, he adds, shall be disposed to employ me, and I know in what business, I shall not be long in taking my resolution.”  In the beginning of the year[192] 1632 he was flattered with the hopes of being employed by England.

Christiern IV.  King of Denmark loaded him with civilities when he was at Hamburg; and Vossius, who was well informed of every thing that related to his friend’s affairs, writes to Meric Casaubon, Oct. 25, 1633, that the King of Denmark offered Grotius a considerable pension if he would enter into his service.  Henry Ernestus informed Vossius, that Grotius had seen that Prince at Gluckstad, and was extremely well received by him:  this he had from Grotius himself.  He concludes his letter with an invective against the Dutch, who were so void of common sense, as to refuse the services of so great a man.

It is said that even the King of Spain[193] had thoughts of taking him into his service:  but this Prince’s court suited him ill for many reasons easy to be imagined; one of which was that his going to Spain would be matter of triumph to his enemies, who would represent it, with some degree of probability, as a proof of what they had formerly asserted, that Grotius was a private Pensioner of Spain.

The Duke of Holstein and several other[194] Princes made him likewise advantageous proposals.  It was reported that the famous Walstein intended to take him into his service.  Ruarus[195] wrote about it to Grotius, and tells him he could scarce give credit to this news, from a persuasion that Grotius would not employ his pen in writing things of which no doubt he partly disapproved.

His remaining so long without coming to a resolution proceeded, it is probable, from his unwillingness to attach himself to any Prince, till he despaired of a reconciliation with his Country; of which he was so desirous, that above two years and a half after he had been so shamefully driven out, he had still thoughts of it.  March 8, 1634[196], he writes to his brother, “It is of great importance to me that my affair may be no longer protracted, and that I know speedily whether I can see my Country again, or must relinquish it for ever.”  A fortnight after he writes to him[197], “I expect your letters with impatience, to know what I have to hope for from my Countrymen.  I have been too long under uncertainty, and I am afraid of losing in the mean time the opportunities which offer elsewhere.  I would not however have any thing asked in my name directly or indirectly; but if they make any proposal of their own accord, I shall be glad to know it.”