A SUMMARY OR COMPENDIUM, OF The Life of the most Famous PHILOSOPHER Renatus Descartes. Written originally in Latin by Peter Borellus Physician to the French King; to which is also added an Epitome of his Life by Marcus Zurius Boxhornius Historiographer at Leyden. LONDON, Printed by E. Okes, for George Palmer at the King and Duke of York's Head near Arundel-House in the Strand, 1670. The Author's Epistle Dedicotory to Paul Pellisonius Fontanerius, Counsellor, and Secretary to the French King, Kingdom, and Crown of France. SInce you have vouchsafed, from my very infancy, to show your benevolence towards me, and to oblige me to you by many signal favours; I should be guilty of gross ingratitude, if I left not some Monument of my Respects to You. Permit me therefore, Renowned Sir, to wear your Name in the Front of this small Treatise, which may produce a larger. I shall not undertake, according to the usual mode of Epistolary Addresses of this nature, to expatiate upon your deserved commendation, which, I am confident, is unwelcome to You, and sufficiently known to all the World: All I desire is, that the present and future Age may testify, that I am no ways unmindful of the benefits You have been pleased to confer upon me; and that I shall ever acknowledge myself to be infinitely obliged to You: Farewell. THis Translation, or rather Collection, out of Peter Borellus, Physician to the French King; and Marcus Zurius Boxhornius Historiographer in the University of Leyden, presents you with the Life of the Famous Monsieur Descartes, giving you an account of his Parentage and Education, during his Minority, as well as the Course and Method of his Study, in his Riper Years; together, with an exact Catalogue of all his Manuscripts, which were found at Stockholme in Swedeland, after his Death; and the names of all his Books that have been Published, with the Places where they were Printed; as also the several Epitaphs that were bestowed upon him by his Contemporaries, after his Decease. If this Epitome receive a kind entertainment; 'tis very probable (when the Author, according to promise, exposeth a larger Treatise to public View, concerning this Subject) that it may be also taught to speak English, for the satisfaction of those who want the advantage of the Latin, and are only skilled in our Mother-Tongue. This Compendious Discourse of the Life of so Eminent a Person, and great a Light in the Firmament of Learning, is all that we can furnish you with at present, till we meet with an opportunity to gratify you with a more Complete Relation in a larger Volume. THE LIFE OF Renatus Descartes. THat there are certain Wits, whom Nature (like her most conspicuous Luminaries) only exposeth to view, and immediately withdraws them from our sight; and by a certain kind of envy, for which I want a name, suddenly snatcheth away with one hand, what she liberally contributed with the other, is a thing notorious to all men. Yet such Wits are rarely produced by her in the compass of an Age. Wherefore the Great Descartes being one of that number, it seems to me a piece of injustice and ingratitude, that the Life of so famous a Person should never as yet be printed or published in any place whatsoever. And although, my stilebe too unpolisht for so sublime a Subject; yet I have presumed to make an Essay in this weighty matter, and endeavoured to give you a Compendium, the proportion of the foot of that Lion, as a forerunner of a more full description of his Life, hoping it may be acceptable; to the end, that so great a Light might not be in a manner hid under a Bushel; for what the Roman Naso sang of old concerning Pythagoras, we may deservedly apply to him. — isque licet regione remotus Mente Deos adiit, & quae Natura negavit Visibus humanis, oculis ea pecteris hausit; Cumque animo, & vigili perspexerat omnia cura In medium discenda dabat— Translated to my hands by Mr. Sands. Though far from Heaven his minds divine ascent Drew near the Gods, what Nature's self denies To humane sight, he saw with his Souls eyes, With studious care his knowledge he professed. This renowned Person began to draw his first Breath in the year 1596, between the Britain's and Poictevins, in the City called Castrum Eraldum, born of a most Noble Father, Senator of his Country, whose Family was illustrious for their ancient Nobility, and was the only Son of his second Wife; he was a man of no mean estate, since he had between six and seven thousand pounds a year. He himself hath given you a Relation of his first course of Life, in the third Page of his Treatise de Methodo, as Claubergius Professor at Teutoburg upon the Rhine hath observed; who affirms that Descartes made every thing that was knowable, the Subject of his study, being in one of the best Colleges, imagining that he should find out the Truth among those that were Learned; but being frustrated of his expectation, nine years were elapsed, before he could discover what Course he was to steer. He was thin faced, of a pleasant countenance, speaking seldom, but excellently; healthful, sober, concealing his own parts, a hater of Disputes, but by proving the truth, he detected error, a most bitter enemy to ostentation; preferring Reason before authority, though he made use of it: he delighted to discourse with Women; he often desired the renown of other persons, as he himself tefieth; for he was no Boaster; nay, he was so modest, that he had not the confidence to assert what he understood. He was educated and taught in the Schools of Flexia, and had run through the whole course or race of his Study at seventeen years of Age. His Portraiture is carried about in all places, and in Holland and Paris to be had in Copper: and because he was good both at the Pen and the Pike, he loved the valiant as well as the prudent and Learned, and so by a happy conjunction of Arms and Arts, in his younger years he made it his business to understand Military Discipline among the Hollanders, the best Nursery for Soldiers; and as a Voluntary underwent all the dangers of War without any Pay, for the space of three years, he only received one Duplio, a piece of Money so called which he always kept as the Monument of his Warfare; he also refused public command, because he had a desire to perform the duty of a private Soldier, that he might be the better acquainted with that Art, and the laboriousness thereof; and was twice present at the Siege of Breda, and in the Battle of Prague, from whence he visited Italy, having first taken a view of the large Engines of Tycho Brahe, and discoursed with his Relations. But in Italy he met with Galileus and other eminent Persons, and thence he came to the Siege of Capha or Gava near Genoa, and at length returned to France, and was present at the Siege of Rochel, and in other Military Expeditions; nay, he went voluntarily to that Siege. He performed a memorable thing before Cardinal Barbarini, the Pope's Nuncio, than Cardinal Berullius and other renowned and ingenious men, who assembled together to hear Monsieur Chandou Dispute of the new Principles of Philosophy: and when he had gained the applause of them all for his Speech, Descartes only excepted, they asked his opinion concerning his Arguments, who commended the Author's Speech, but not the Company, because they were only satisfied with a bare probabilty, and did engage to prove any probable Truth, false, by twelve several Arguments, and so on the contrary; which when he had attempted, they were struck with admiration and astonishment; therefore they inquired of him, whether there was any way to avoid Sophisms; and he assured them that the Truth might be Mathematically demonstrated in all things according to his Principles: then they entreated him that he would publish them; which request he was compelled to condescend unto, and betook himself to Holland, that he might the better prepare his conceptions for the Press. Afterwards he would needs take a journey into Denmark, where Stephen Bressiaeus our Countryman, a most skilful Physician and Chemist, & a person very ingenious in Mechanics (who visited him out of his earnest desire of Learning) accompanied him; but he was detained by the Emperor's Forces in the County of Embden; then he endeavoured to see Tyrol and Venice, and designed from thence to go to the Siege of Casal, which lasted above two years after all, which are sufficient testimonies, that he understood the Intrigues of Government. But he returned again to Amsterdam, being accompanied with our friend Bressiaeus, that he might be present at the King's return. He was in Holland in the year 1648, and thence called by the King to Paris, upon very honourable terms. Whilst he continued at Paris, he so disposed of his annual Revenues, that he might receive them by the hands of a friend where he pleased. Therefore he went to Holland, where, in a Desert, he composed his so much applauded Works, of which we will give you a Catalogue. He had also before visited Germany and Huugary, whilst he was in pursuit of the Truth; where he was present at the Emperor's Coronation. When he could not fine out that Democritical Truth among men, which lies hid, as it were in a bottom; he fell upon the Contemplation of the Book of the World, and of himself, and studied Anatomy, Chemistry, etc. from whence he extracted admirable things; he was slenderly stored with Books, because he understood they were not true, the Mathematical only excepted; wherefore being asked by a friend, whether he had a Library, and desired to show it; lifting up the cloth, he discovered to him a Calf dissected; Behold, saith he, my Library! O noble expression! so Hypocrates found Democritus heretofore studying among Animals dissected: he was not tempted with the desire of gain, honour, or worldly Dignities, but he did Philosophise, out of the love he had to virtue, and his desire to make inquisition after the Truth. In this he did imitate the Ancients, which was the reason that he, according to their Custom, spent some years in Travel, and visit in the Armies, Cities and Courts of Princes. His chiefest design was to discover the equability of Judgement, a virtuous mind, and the necessity of a Method; whilst he followed the War, in the Winter he employed his vacant hours in Philosophical Contemplations, and being desirous to unlock the Arcana of the Mathematics and Philosophy with the same Key, he did so admirably conjoin Nature and Discipline, that he obtained his end. Yet he run through all the Arts and Languages, and in a short time turned over all sorts of Books, being in quest of the Truth, he perused those that were superstitious and false, that he might leave nothing unsaluted. He was so excellent in Philosophy, that according to that constant desire which he ever had of restoring Philosophy, and reforming his own knowledge, he did invent an absolute new Philosophy, and invented the true Principles, and most emnent Method thereof, insomuch that his works were printed in all parts, & publicly professed by many famous men, and taught as now at Paris, where there are several private Academies, in which his Philosophy is only read. When he found that there was nothing worth his knowledge among men, he made choice of a desert (as Democritus and other true Philosophers did) at Egmond in Holland, and there led a solitary life for the space of five and twenty years, and discovered many admirable things by his contemplation. He was so eminent in the Mathematics, that he did things beyond apprehension, especially about Prospectives; and to the end that he might prove his experiments, he prepared Prospectives of a large size, either of ice or artificial black polished marble made hollow according to his desire, and the various forms he phancyed by the assistance of Bressiaeus, a most ingenious man; and when he had accomplished his design, he broke them in pieces, and made new ones of the same matter. And before the same Bressiaeus, by a hidden secret in the Optics he would show him a company of soldiers marching in his chamber, which he did much admire; but this proceeded from the small figures of Soldiers which he concealed, and brought forth multiplied without doors. He believed the Heaven was fluid, as in truth it is, for the air alone is the Heaven, nor differs it from ours, therefore it is confounded in the History of Genesis. He did acknowledge Democritus his Atoms to be the Principles of all things, as he most excellently proved. He had many, nay an innumerable, number of friends; among whom were Cardinal Barbarini, and Berullius; Elizabeth Princess of Bohemia, Monsieur Chau●t, Monsieur de Clervelier, Mervenus, Monsieur Desargnes, Monsieur Holleng, Monsieur de Faber Governor of Sedam, Gassendus Balsaack, for whom Bressiolus did no ill office against Father Goulu his Enemy at Cardinal Barbarini's; yet he had some that did hate and envy him; for envy always aims at high things; but he confuted their writings excellently. His chiefest enemies were the Fathers of the Christian Church. Cyrianus Lentulus, Confessor of Hereborn, injuriously objected to him, that he compared himself to God, saying at the end of his notes, humane things are not to come in competition with those that are divine; he farther saith, that he doubted all things; which is a mistake, but heretofore indeed, like the rest of vulgar Philosophers, he was sceptical, before he had reformed Philosophy. he calls him also a Person of small esteem; but the Learned Clanbery replies excellently, you call him a man of mean repute, whom prudent men style Nature's Darling, and one that Pythagoras would truly call Philosopher. Revius Governor of Westfrizeland in Holland was so bold as to call him Magician and Atheist; and so formerly all men of great Learning were accused of being Magicians, because they did things beyond the apprehension on of Sciolists; as Gabriel Naudasus, in his Apology for those men that were accused for dealing with Magic, strongly proves. Yet so many were the plots contrived by his Antagonists Peripatetic Professors, (whose weak sight could not endure the rays of so great a Luminary, because like the Sun he obscured their smaller lights,) that they stirring up their Pupils and the whole City to a mutiny, durst banish him from the City of Vtreck by the sound of a Bell, whom Kings & Queens that were remote did in vit, and cherished in their bosom. The integrity of his life purged him from all calumnies; yet he on the contrary was no Detractor, nor injurious to any person. For he never committed injuries to memory, but to oblivion, and arrived at the wonderful knowledge of God by contemplation on the Creatures. It were as hard a task to reckon his followers, & admirers, as to count the stars, or number the sand. The Learned Gassendus also, and Koberval his worthy successor, writ some things against him; but this was done rather out of an earnest desire to inquire after the truth, then out of any hatred; Marinus Mersenus being an affector of curiosity, promoting and stirring them upto it, that he might oblige men of such great parts to discourse of many rare things, to satisfy his own curiosity. In fine, this Learned and famous man was called from his retirement by Christina the quondam Queen of Swedeland, and infinitely beloved by her, insomuch that she would hear him almost constantly arguing, which much prejudiced his health; for he being always bare, and discoursing with her, the major part of the night, upon those subjects she most desired, by that means he had little rest, and fell into a distemper, which he neglected, thinking it an usual disease, and that he might soon be freed from it; but when shortly after he perceived it was another kind of malady, and understood it was an inflammation of the Lungs; he ordered a vein tobe opened, which proved ineffectual, and on the seventh day of his disease, he deceased: which proves these known Verses to be true; Annos & Regnum Filii Regente, Legatus Ordinarius Petrus Chanul Hoc monumentum Ad gloriam Die, bonorum omnium datoris, Gallici nominis honorem, Perpetuam amici Chariss. memoriam Renati Descartes poni curavit Anno 7. ab excessu Ludovici Justi. The Third Front. Renatus Descartes Perronii Dominus, etc. Ex Antiqua & nobili inter Pretones & Armoricos gente; In Gallia natus. Accepta quantacunque quae in scholis tradebatur eruditione, expectatione sua votisque minore. Ad militiam per Germaniam & Pannoniam adolescens profectus, & in otiis hybernis naturae mysteria componens cum legibus Matheseos, Vtriusque arcanaeadem clave reserari posse ausus est sperare. Et omissis fortuitorum studiis, in villula solitarius, prope Egmundum in Hollandia, Assidua 25. annorum meditatione, auso potitus est; Hinc orbe toto celeberrimus: A Rege suo conditionibus honorificis evocatus: Redierat ad contemplationis delicias, unde avulsus, admiratione virtutum, Maximae Reginae; Quae quicquid ubique excelluit suum fecit, Gratisssimus advenit, serio est auditus, & defletus obiit. The fourth Front. Noverint posteri Qualis vixerit Renatus Descartes; Vt cujus doctrinam olim suscipient, mores imitentur, post instauratam a fundamentis Philosophiam, Apertam ad penetralia Naturae Mortalibus viam Novam, certam, solidam. Hoc unum reliquit incertum, Major in eo modestia esset, an scientia. Quae vera scivit verecunde affirmavit. Falsa, non contentionibur, sed vero admoto refutavit: nullius Antiquorum obtrectator, nemini viventium gravis. Invidorum criminationes purgavit innocentia morum: Injuriam negligens, am irtiae tenax, quod summum tandem est: Ita per Creaturarum gradus ad Creatorem est conatus; Vt opportunus Christo, gratiae authori, in avita Religione quiesceret. I nunc viator, & cogita, Quantus fuerit, Christinaeque qualis aula, cui mores isti placuerunt. This Monument was in form four square, but somewhat long, eight foot and a half in height, four in breadth, and seven foot and a half in length; the height or pile had three Divisions: the Basis being somewhat larger with three pedestals, the Tables whereon the Inscriptions were, were four, and the Ornament at the top made of one stone covering the whole monument a foot and a half. Many persons besides bestowed Epitaphs upon him at his Death; which we judge not convenient to be here inserted. He left many posthumous Works, as well published as in Manuscript; the latter Monsieur Chaunt Ambassador in ordinary of Swedeland preserves, and the Clervelier, who will shortly publish his select Epistles. A Catalogue of the Manuscripts of Descartes, found at Stockholm after his Death. Anno 1650. A. Decem codices Responsionum ad quaesita eruditorum circa Mathematicas disciplinas. B. De Numeris irrationalibus, de quantitate linearum quae in dato circulo inscriptae sunt quantitatem Circumferentiae cui datae lineae subtenduntur, cognoscere, aliaque propostta ac demonstrationes. Problema ad numerum reperiendum, cujus partes aliquotae sub duplices sint. Propositio de Parabolis compositis, & de partibus aliquotis numerorum. Cogitationes variae de animo. Quaestiones quaedam de numeris. Considerationes quaedam Physicae incipientes. Quare pueri labuntur in somnum, dum cunae concutiuntur. Promiscuae Animadversiones de coelis. Physicae Quaestiones, & Consideratio Physica. Thaumantis Regia. Epistola de Mersenum. Liber anni 1619. Kal. Jan. sub titulo Parnassi de considerationibus Mathematicis. C. Olympica & ad marginem 11. Novembris coepi intelligere fundamentum inventi mirabilis. Quaedom in scientias considerationes. Quaedam de Algebra. Democritica. Experimenta. Praeambula. D. Introductio ad Algebram suam 155. pag. E. Scriptum sic inciens. Vitellio sic numerat. Aliud, Metallorum pondera. Primae cogitationes circa generationes animalium 19 fol. cont. De Magnete Kircheri. De formatione Animalium. 5. folia. Historiae Metallorum. Remedia, & vires Medicamentorum. Observationum de natura Plantarum & Animalium pag: 16. De partibus in inferiore ventre contentis. F. Codices novem de Regulis utilibus & claris, ad ingenii directionem in veritatis inquisitiene. G Descriptio Corporis humani. De natura Hominis & Animalium; an imperfect piece. H. Progymnasinata de partibus aliquotis numerorum. 1. Epistolae. K. Secunda pars tractatus de Passionibus. L. Querela Apologetica ad amplissimum Senatum Vltrajectinum, contra Voetium & Dematium. M. Progymnasmata de solidorum Elementis. N. De natura Passionumnimae. O. Sub forma Epistolae ad Dominos ...... nine Books. P. Collectanea de calculo ad Geometriam utilia; in twelve Books. Q. Veritatis Inquisitio Lumine naturali. fol. 13. R. De Musica fol. 8. written in the year 1618. S. Explicatio machinarum, quarum open, parvis cum viribus, magna tolli possunt onera. 6. pag. T. Epistolarum ad varios fol. 262. in 4ᵒ. V-Epistol. ad Serenissimam Principissam Bohemiae 19 fol. in 4ᵒ. and two in 80. X. De doctrina Principiorum suorum, in 14. leaves, but in some things varying from the Treatise published of that Subject. Y. Tractatus de Geometria. Z. De responsionibus ad Objectiones quasdam, etc. in 14 several leaves. These are is Manuscripts. Here follow those works of his that were published in French and Latin. Method de bien conduire la raison, pour trouver la verite dans les sciences. 16. 7. 4. Besides, la Dioptrique les Meteores & la Geometry, which are essays of that method, Printed at Leyden, and sold by John le Maire. Renati Descartes meditationes de prima Philosophia, in which God's existency, & the immortality of the Soul is demonstrated; at Paris, by Michael Solely in S. Jame's street, at the sign of the Phoenix, Anno 1641. in 80. It contains six meditations, and answers to some objections; He also dedicates his Opus Theologicum to Gassendus, printed at Paris. Renati Descartes meditationes de prima Philosophia. In which God's existency, & the distinction between the soul and body of man are demonstrated; to which are several objections made by learned men against those demonstrations of God and the Soul, with the Author's answer thereunto. The second edition, with the Addition of seven objections never before made public, at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, Anno 1642. in 24. with the Epistle of Father Dinet the Jesuit, in which he answers many objections made by a certain person. Renati Descartes Principia Philosophiae, dedicated to Elizabeth eldest daughter of Frederick King of Bohemia, Count Palatine, and Elector of the sacred Roman Empire, Printed at Amsterdam, for Lewis Elzevir, Anno 1644. It contains four parts; to which are annexed his Specimina Philosophiae, seu dissertatio de methodo rectae regendae rationis & veritatis investigandae. His Dioptrice and Meteora translated out of French, perused and corrected by the Author. Les Passions de l' Am, par Rene Descartes, at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, An. 1650, in 8. In this Treatise there are three parts; it was published by Monsieur Degmont, who adds the Epistle he writ to him concerning that Subject. Clauberg quotes his Meditationes, Objectiones, Responsiones, & Epistolae ad Dinetum, Voetium; the third Edition, by Elzevit, Anno 1650. Geometria a Renato Descartes 1537. published in French, and now with the notes of Florimond'de Beaume Counfellour to the French King in the Court at Blois, turned into Latin, and illustrated with a Comment; by the labour and industry of the Mathematics in that University, Printed for John More, at Leyden, An. 1640. in quarto. This Treatise of Geometry, with his Specimina Philosophiae Descartes, published in French without a name to it; but it being earnestly desired by many persons who were ignorant in the French Tongue, Schelten translated it into Latin and published it. Renati Descartes Musicae compendium. Trajecti ad Rhenum, Printed by Gilbert a Zull and Theodorus ab Ackersdijck, Anno 1650. in quarto. Les Meditations Metaphysics de Rene Descartes, touchant la Premiere Philosophy. In which God's existency, and the real distinction between the Soul and the Body of man, are demonstrated, translated out of the Authors Latin, into French, by Monsieur le D. D. L. N. S. and Les objections faits contre ces Meditations par diverses personnes Doctes, avec les responces del' Autheur; Translated by M. B. L. R. Printed at Paris, and sold by the Widow of John Camusat and Peter le Petit; as also La responce au recueil de ses principales Instacnes. This Translation was by a great Lord. Books composed concerning Descartes his Philosophy, either approving, or disapproving thereof. Nova Renati Descartes sapientiae, fusiore quam antehac, methodo detecta, by Lentulus. De Philosophia Cartesiana amplectenda, ambigendi impellentes causas initio suae novae sapientiae, in octavo by Clauberg, who relates and confutes them. De methodus Carthesianae consideratione Theologica, by James Revius, Dr. in Divinity and Precedent of the College of the most Illustrious States of Holland and Westfriesland. Abstersio Calumniarum. By the same Author. Statera Philosophiae Carthesianae, by the same person. Defensio Carthesiana adversus Revium Theologum Leidensem, & Cyriacum Lentulum Professorem Here bornensem, by John Cla uberg professor in the public University of Teutoburg upon the Rhine; pars prior exoterica, in qua Renati Cartesii dissertatio de methodo vindicatur, simul illustria Carthesiana Logica & Philosophica Specimina exhibentur; at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, 1641. 6. La Philosophy Divisce entoutes ses parties, Establisur des Principes evidens, & expliquee en Tables & Discourse ou particuliers, ou tiresdes anciens & des nouveauk Autheurs, & principalement des Peripateticiens, & de Descartes, Composed by James de Roure at Paris, and sold by Thomas Jolly, Anno 1654. in 12. Abstersio macularum Renati Descartes. Notae & Sermo extemporaneus, three Books heretofore made concerning Cartesius in Holland, where many rare things are discoursed of, concerning him. Disquisitio Metaphysica, seu dubitationes & instantiae adversus Renati Cartesii Metaphysicam & Responsa. Printed at Amsterdam by John Bleau, Anno 1649, in quarto; Dedicated to Serberius. Considerations sur le Traite des Monsieur Descartes des passions de l'Ame, By N. Papin Dr. in Physic, Printed at Paris, sold by Simon Piget, in the rue St. Jaques a la Siren, Anno 1652, in octavo. Where be expiatiates in the praise of Descartes. Brevis replicatio reposita brevi explicationi mentis humanae, seu animae rationis domini Henrici Regii Med. ac Phil. Ultrajectini notis Cartesii in programma ejusdem argumenti firmandis, veritatique magis illustrandae; By Tobias Andreas A. L. M. Greek and Latin Professor in the University of the States of Groenig and Oulandia, Printed at Amsterdam, by Lew is Elzevir. an. 1653. Henrici Regii Ultrajectini Philosophiae naturalis editio secunda, priore multa locupletior & emendatior, Published at Amsterdam, by Lew is Elzevir, 1654. Specimina Philosophiae Cartesianae, by Dan. Lipstorp Lubeker, to which is added by the same Author Copernicus Redivivus, at Leyden, by John and Daniel Elzevir. Anno 1653. Physic expliquee suivant le sentiment des amiens & des nouveaux Philosophes, & Principalement de Descartes by James de Roure, the second Edition printed at Paris, by Thomas Jolly. Anno 1654. Monsieur de Clercelier will suddenly publish his Epistles translated by Monsieur Picot, as also his Objections he hath put in another Language. Monsieur Hollenc, a Dutchman, hath many of his Epistles with their Answers. Francis Schoten, Professor of the Mathematics at Leyden, in his Epistle to the Reader, styles him a most Noble and incomparable Person. These Verses are deservedly placed upon his Effigies. Talis erat vultu Naturae filius unus. Qui ment in matris viscera pandit iter, Assignansque suis quaevis miracula causis, Miraculum in reliquum solus in orbe fuit. Here's nature's Darling in Effigy, Who reached his Mother's secrets by his brains, The natural cause of wonders shows, whilst He The only wonder of the world remains. He had an admirable method peculiar to himself, which he made use of; and by which he examined all Propositions; first whether they were possible, and then by the same method he taught the solution of them; which is judged to be contained in his Geometry. I shall not attempt the relation of the Elegies bestowed upon him, because they are infinite; it shall suffice if I affirm that he was deservedly applauded by all Authors that writ of him; among whom John Clauberg extols his modesty and other qualifications in a Speech. Henry More, a Learned Englishman, in his judgement of his dissertations speaks thus of him. In your method by a certain elegant and sportive kind of modesty, you manifest yourself a man of such parts that nothing can be fancied or desired more pleasant or amiable than your virtuous inclination, and natural disposition, nothing more noble or generous. Gassendus himself could not avoid writing to him thus. To the famous Renatus Descartes; Renowned Sir, Our friend Mersenus made me happy, when he communicated those your sublime meditations concerning the first Philosophy; for the excellency of the argument, the readiness of the wit, and the perspicuity of the stile was wonderfully taking; therefore I do freely rejoice on your behalf, that you should so nobly and successfully attempt to advance the bounds of Learning, and facilitate those things that were counted the most absttuse in all former Ages. A certain Divine objecting against his meditations expresseth himself thus; Truly, as far as I can perceive, Monsieur Descartes is a man of such admirable wit and great modesty, that Maevius himself could not but fall in love with him, if he were present, We thought it not impertinent to insert the Opinion of some persons concerning the Place of Descartes his Nativity; which is, that he was not born in the very Castle Eraldum, but at Tours, near that Castle. Marcus Lurius Boxhornius Historiographer in the University of Leyden upon the death of Descartes. To Renatus Descartes that nocle Frenchman Sieur de Perron. WHO knowing how much we are ignorant of, and that the greatest part of what we know not, and that most people are ignorant of those things they boast and presume to understand, and that by this means such things are taught and delivered which must be unlearned; though it seemed good to him to doubt of those hitherto received opinions of Philosophers; that doubting he might find out a plain way to wisdom both for himself and others; who restored the Philosophy that was aequaevous to Nature; and so consequently that which was as true as ancient; and brought the same out of that filthy servitude wherewith it had been enslaved for many Ages, and as it were manumitted it; who by his wit and experiments surveying the Universal Nature of things, and making a diligent and serious inspection into her closest cabinet counsels, was not satisfied with those things that were ancient, for their antiquity; nor did those that were modern dissatisfy by reason of their novelty for he was sensible that what is now old was once new, and what is now new will in process of time become old, but as he found them either true or false; therefore a new and true way of Philosophising was set up, which will continue, and in time grow old; the famous Peter Chaunt, Ambassador from the Most Christian King to Christina, the Most Noble and Learned Queen of Swedeland, erected this Monument with that of Marble. The same Author's Epitaph. Qui sibi demeruit totum Cartesius orbem, Extremum fati transigit ille diem. Avia cui veterum visa est sapientia, veram Praetulit antiquae, praeposuitque novam. Sunt imitatores servum pecus, hunc venerare, Naturam agnosces hoc praeeunte ducem. Here lies Descartes who deserved to have A world, entombed in a single Grave. To him old Learning crabbed seemed, the true He did prefer to th' old, proposed the new; They are dull that Ape him, do you reverence pay To him that taught, that nature leads the way. These verses were annexed by Christian Hugenius, to the Effigies of Descartes, lively represented by Francis Schoten. Primus inaccessum qui per tot secula verum Eruit e terris longae ealiginis umbras, Mysta sagax. Natura, tuus sic cernitur orbi Cartesius: Voluit sacros in imagine vultus Jungere victurae artificis pia dextera famae; Omnia ut aspicerent quem saeculo nulla tacebunt. Truth that lay shrouded in the veil of night For many Ages, he first brought to light: Thus Nature, thy Interpreter, we see Cartes; and th' Artist strives by skill that he May match his Statue to his long-lived fame; To let all see each Age proclaims his Name. Thus the great Descartes lived and died, after four month's residence in Swedeland; where, in that small tract of time, he had so ingratiated himself in the favour of the Queen, that, as Daniel Lipstorp, Professor of Philosophy at Lubeck, affirms, she did condescend to water his arm with her tears; he left us wonderful praises of him, and proves that he was accounted chief among those persons that were eminent above other men; and that Philosophy was beholding to the same Descartes for a new birth; and relates many things concerning his life, viz. that his Father was a noble person of Poitiers, and lived a private life at the Town of Limonum in that country, a long time; and that afterwards he was made Lord Precedent in the chief Court of Kenes in the Duchy of Brittany, who died whilst Descartes was in the Low Countries. He goes on farther; that he made his Compendium Musicae when he was twenty years of age. He gained ureter, and Becman Moderator of the College of Dort, and a most Famous Philosopher and Mathematician, as his friends and admirers, soon after he had solved those Propositions in his Method which were thought impossible for all persons. But before he betook himself to his retiring place, he had seen the Military Discipline of France, the Low Countries, Denmark, Germany and Italy. At ulme he saluted John Faulhabertus a Famous Mathematician, and when he had cleared unto him many knotty difficulties in the Mathematics, as also to Peter Rotten of Norimberg a Mathematician, he soon gained the love of all the learned Men there. Then he visited the more Northern parts of Germany, and saw Pomerania, the Marquisate of Brandenburg, Megapolis, Holsatia, Denmark, and from thence went to Holland; afterwards he went to Italy through the Netherlands, and then arrived in France, and resided three years at Paris. There he was acquainted with Monsieur Claudius Mydorgius a Parisian Senator, and Treasurer of France; Florimond de Beaune a Senator in the Court of Parliament at Blois, John Baptista Morinus Mathematical Professor, etc. Then leaving Paris, as also his Brothers, Sisters, etc. He came to his Philosophical Retirement at Egmond, where he continued some time; then he was at Endegest, then at Amsterdam, then at Leward in Westfrizeland, then at Daventry, then again in a little village near Harlem, then again at Harderwick, then at Vtrecht in Holland, then at Leyden; but he most frequently lived in villages, where he composed his books in this subsequent order; his Dissertation concerning Method, his Dioptrics and Meteorologicks: then his Geometry, upon which Treatise Florimond de Beaune and Francis Schoten made Annotations; then he compiled his Meditations, and his Principles of Philosophy; he also made his Tractate of Man, of the Generation of Animals, and his Geometrical Analysis, which will speedily be published: as also a small Treatise concerning Mechanics, which with two Epistles to the most Serene Princess Elizabeth, I have delivered to the Printer, that they may be made public. Among his friends and admirers are to be reckoned C. Salmasius, S. Maresius, Abraham Heidan, Professors in Divinity; Adrian Herebord, James Golins, John de Raey a Physician, Godfrey ab Hastrecht a noble Leodicensian, Cornelius Heegland a noble Dutchman, Monsieur Picot a noble Frenchman, Monsieur Chilot the Mathematician, and an innumerable number of other persons. That we may also lay some stone to adorn the Tomb of Descartes, take this Epitaph of him. The Epitaph of Descartes. Siste gradum, Viator; hic enim in parvulo isto Sarcophago vir latet, quem totus vix olim orbis continere potuerat; ingenio enim suo omnes antiquos super avit Philosophos. Is fuit qui Naturae velum, quo se ab hominum conspectu retrahebat, solus amovit, quique rebus antiquis, novitatem, obscuris lucem, & novis authoritatem dedit: sed immodicis brevis sit aetas, & rara senectus, nobis subito ereptus est; senex enim ante aetatem profunda sua et universali eruditione cum esset, mors illum pro vero sene in aetatis suae flore sustulit. Lacrymis tuis dignus fuit profecto quisquis es, praesertim si literariae Reipublicae membrum existas: erat enim Doctorum ornamentum, Philosophorum gemma, Mathematicorum Corona. Hominumque omnium Decus; virtutes omnes in illo tanquam Gratiae conjunctae manibus erant; adeo ut dubitasses quaenam earum in eo magis emineret, ut sol inter astra minuta, vel Luna inter ignes minores, per totum orbem effulsit. Cumque non sibi, sed aliis natus esset, unicuique fere Nationi per aliquod tempus sese ostendit, ut eas grata sua praesentia erudieret. Lugeant ergo omnes immaturum ejus obitum, ejusque exemplo caeteri Philosophi filo Cartesiano quod in suis nobis reliquit seriptis e rerum Naturae Labyrinthis sese extrlcare tentent, ut tanquam Pygmaei Gigantis illius humeris insistentes aliquid, si possibile sit, ulterius conspicere valeant; ad hominum omnium, praecipue Literatorum, utilitatem, propriamque suam laudem, nostri semper Authoris laudes decantantes, quod viam ad abstrusiora penetranda iis monstraverit, quodque veritatis in profundo delitescentes detegendi amore eremos longissimo tempore coluerit, ut tandem scientia satiati quantum apud homines licet, cum illo ad Beatorum sedes conscendere valeant. Now, Courteous Reader, you have the promised Epitome of the Life of Descartes, and of all things that could possibly come to our knowledge concerning him; may you enjoy it with all the satisfaction imaginable; and if we find that this is acceptable, it will be an encouragement to us to offer unto you something more perfect. Addition. Cornelius ab Hogeland dedicated his Cogitationes de Existentia Dei, & Animae Spiritualitate, etc. to Monsieur Descartes. FINIS. Observations out of a French Epistle of Descartes, to Father Marinus Mersenus. THe reason why I am of opinion that some certain portions of the most subtle parts of the blood are conveyed to the stomach and intestines through the Arteries to help digestion, is, first, because I have observed that the saliva or spittle, which when we eat, or have a desire thereunto, and have only an imaginative faculty, comes to the mouth in such abundance, proceeds not only from the kernels or Glandules arising from the root of the tongue (or probably proceeds only to the throat (unless it be transferred to the mouth of the vessels by the assistance of the tongue) but from the Arteries arising from the gums: for I have made so clear an experiment hereof, that beyond all dispute the same work is performed by these Arteries which are carried to the Intestines and Ventricle; since we see that purgative medicines do draw the largest quantity of humours from the whole body to the Intestines, and we know no other passage (in my apprehension) to those humours; for the veins are obstructed by a thousand valves, as may be experimented if both in the mesenterium of a live Dog be tied, the Arteries between the Intestines and the Ligature will swell, and no farther; and the venae lacteae as well as the other veins do the contrary. But those Sanguinal parts which enter into the stomach cannot retain it's reddish colour, no more than the saliva (which helps the digestion of food whilst masticated in the mouth) nor of tears or sweat which are by the same means separated from the blood, passing through the extremities of the Arteries; for this redness proceeds from its more viscous parts, which I judge are of irregular forms, and resemble twigs which mutually embrace and intersect one another; and this is the reason they cannot possibly make their way through such narrow passages, but only those that are most subtle, which I fancy to resemble needles that pierce the narrowest holes; and the faculty of their segregation is sufficiently and experimentally manifested in extravasated blood; for we see that after Phlebotomy the serous matter of the blood in the Porringer separates itself, and is clear; whereas the remainder which is red or black is congealed. As to the cause of Chylification in the veins, I know no other but that which causeth the Intestines to lie out of the belly when wounded with a sword, viz. the compression of the cuticles or other particles which contain them; and besides, the more fluid parts of that Chyle are capable of this penetration by their own weight without compression: like water which passeth from coagulated milk or curds, through the holes of the vessel into which it is put by their own natural agitation; for I conceive that every part of any liquor is in perpetual motion; and farther, the action of the muscles doth very much conduce hereunto, in regard that it causeth the parts of the Chyle from that part of the holes where it finds a passage, to enter into the venae lacteae as well as the other veins; for I make no difference between them, but only this, that their juice is white, because they are accompanied with none of the Arteries; but the others red, because intermixed with the blood flowing from the Are- Nor do I only reckon the pectoral muscles, those of the Abdomen and Diaphragm in the number of muscles, but almost all the whole substance of the Intestines and Ventricle; and I have made this observation in the dissection of live Dogs, that their Intestines have a regular motion, nearly resembling that of respiration. But this motion of the muscles is not so absolutely necessary, as the motion of the sieve is to expel the dust, because then the parts of the Chyle have a voluntary motion of their own, which the other hath not. And this comparison of the searse or sieve doth please me extraordinarily, and seems very proper for the explaining of the various separations of the blood which are made in the Cystis fellea, the Reins, and other parts of the body, the Spleen only excepted; for I do not judge that the melancholic humour therein is conveyed thither by the means of this separation; but I rather think that the blood gains this quality in the spleen itself. For some Serses are made to separate the dust from the grain that is round in shape; others, in which Oats and not Rye are sifted; others on the contrary are made for Rye, and not for Oats, and that according to the largeness and figure of their holes; and by this means I am of opinion that those small ductus by which the Choler passeth to its Cystis, are of a different forth from those by which the serum is transmitted to the Reins, etc. And as to that clammy substance, or filthy matter which is sometimes found in Urine; that generally flows from the Reins, or such parts as are subject thereunto; and if it happen that it proceeds from the superior parts, the reason of that may be gathered from hence, that it proceeds from more penetrative parts then those by which the blood is died with a red colour; because they penetrate a place, which passages the other could not permeate; for by what means can we imagine that the blood should be impeded, but that it may flow through such passages as are large enough for its reception. This Noble Extract out of Descartes contains many rare modern opinions in Anatomy, which possibly may prove advantageous, if truly and equally balanced. The Abstract of another Epistle to the same person, Anno. 1632. I Am not so rude, but that I desire all persons should think well of me, yet I had rather they should not at all make mention of me, for I am more fearful than desirous of fame; and do imagine that she always by one means or other impairs the fruition of the leisure and liberty of those that are famous: Both which I so perfectly enjoy, and so highly esteem, that I think there is no Monarch in the World whose Treasury is so richly stored as to enable him to purchase them of me: Yet all this shall not obstruct my perfecting of that little Treatise which I have begun; but I shall desire you to conceal this, that I may have the liberty of laying it aside; and this I do at vacant hours, because I take much more delight in forming my own judgement, then in publishing any of my own conceptions, of what Nature soever they be. Now I am intent both upon Chemistry and Anatomy, & daily increase my knowledge in some particular or other, in which the turning over of Volumes left me dissatisfied. Out of another Epistle, to the same person. I Cannot but admire that you should freeze water with water, and not with Ice; since the experiment is a thing so faisible, that it is almost impossible to err in the attempt, and I myself have effected it above a hundred times. True it is, that a sufficient and large quantity of Oil, Ice, or Snow, is necessarily requisite, but Snow is better than Ice, because it will better incorporate with the Salt, and the quantity thereof must also be grea● about a third or fourth part o● the quantity of Snow, and th● Vessel which contains the fresh water used in this mixture must be buried, and remain i● the ground till it be almost al● melted; and the water wil● freeze as soon as the Snow i● melted. He saith also, that 'tis not the water which hinders the light from penetrating to the bottom of the Sea; or passing through a very thick glass, the glass itself; but the impurities that are intermixed in them, which are not transparent. He farther adds, that Sea water is not so salt in havens, on shores, and near the poles, as in other places. The Abstract of another Epistle to the forementioned Mersenus. YOu desire to know of me the reason why a long Bow, or any other Bow, loseeth its force if it stand long bend; the cause is easily found out by my principles; for the pores which I call Ellyptical at first, do sensibly by degrees grow to be round in form, by reason of those small particles of subtle matter have a constant inward influence upon them. This subtle matter hinders us from throwing a stone, or raising our bodies to a prodigious height; for were it not for this matter which makes all heavy bodies tend downwards, a stone would mount up to the Firmament when thrown upwards; and when we by a leap or jump raise ourselves from the ground, we should ascend without falling down again. And a little after. That which makes us rise when we leap, is only the reverberation of our strength, whereby we beat the earth before we raise ourselves from the ground: now this strength being consumed, we must of necessity fall down again; nor is it possible that we should continue hover in the air, unless we could, with so much activity beat the air with our feet and arms, that it could not so suddenly recede as it doth, which is requisite to the raising of our bodies higher, and is the course that birds make use of in their flight. And Farther. But I am not so destitute of Books as you imagine; for I have still the summary of St. Thomas, and a Bible which I brought with me from France: Besides, he entreats him not to discover the place of his Residence, because he desires little or no company. He adds further in another place; I rejoice to hear that Mon sr. Morier hath some hope of perfecting his Work concerning Prospectives; but I only confide in Monsieur de Beanne; and if he succeed not in his Enterprise, I myself will make an essay. He saith also; If that subtle matter with which the earth is environed, should not turn about, no body could be ponderous; and if it took its compass about the Moon, all things would tend towards the Moon, etc. This subtle matter which is in our bodies, doth not continue there a moment, but departs from them, and a new matter perpetually enters; and 'tis true, that that matter doth not immediately invigorate our motions, but our animal spirits, which are contained in the nerves, and are as it were agitated in those passages by this subtle matter. As also; I do not at all wonder how small bullets should be found enclosed in stones, but admire that they were not converted into stones. He afterwards fully informs him in many particulars, and then proceeds: If it be true that the Magnet (as you inform me in your writings) declines now less from England than formerly, this indeed is a thing worthy our strict observation; whether this mutation appears to be done by degrees, or otherways. This Epistle was penned in the year 1639. in the close thereof. The Abstract of another Epistle to the same Person, bearing date in the Month of March, Anno 1641. Amsterdam. I Am glad that Mon sr. Picot hath relished my Metaphysics; for you know, there is more joy in Heaven for the conversion of one sinner, than a thousand just persons that persevere. Out of another Epistle to the said Father Mersenus, from Endegest, bearing date the 20th. of Octob. 1642. THere are several ways of preventing the offensive smoking of chimneys, according to the various causes of the smoke; and the most usual occasion is, that the Chambers for the most part do not receive a sufficient quantity of air from without, to supply the place of the smoke that goes out of the room; for 'tis observable, that the fire, by its violence, expels a great quantity of air with those small particles of wood, which intermixing with the air, causeth the smoke, as the grosser parts of the wood make ashes; and since there can be no vacuum in Nature, it necessarily follows, that there must be a constant access of fresh air into the Chamber, and that in as large a quantity as the smoke that goes out; as may be seen in Chemical furnaces, at the bottom whereof there is a hole which receives a great part of the wind wherewith the fire is kindled, which wind is nothing else but air expelled from the place which the smoke, proceeding from the fire, tends to: so that when a Chamber is close shut, the smoke must needs fly about it, that is, that the smoke which is caused by the fire must fill the chamber, because the air of the chamber tends only towards the fire; and the usual remedy in such cases is, to open the door, or windoors; but because this is somewhat incommodious, it may be avoided by making holes behind the chimney, which are opposite to the fire, or behind the bedstead. Out of another Letter to the same Person, dated at Amsterdam, May, 1643. I Return you thanks for the secret of Father Grandamicus, about the making of a Needle without declination: indeed, I am apt to believe that it declines less than others do, but yet not altogether without any declination. Also, The Experiment of the weight which inclines from the South to the North, is Very observable, and agrees very much with my observation concerning the Flux and re-Flux of the Sea; but I would fain know how many feet long the thread was, to which the weight was fastened, that I might thereby understand whether I could try that Experiment here; for I judge it to be of a very great length: I would also be sensible of the time when it vergeth towards the South or North; if my conjecture deceive me not, that must happen when the Moon approacheth near our Meridian, or withdraws from it. The Extract of another Letter, dated at Endegest, Decemb. 17th. 1642. VOetius his Treatise against me, entitled, The Cartefian Philosophy, is in the Press; but I will give a concise Answer to that large Volume; and so they shall be both published together. I am pleased to receive an account of you, concerning what you writ to me about. He is a person very curious, & skilled in abundance of those petty Chemical secrets which are carried about by such kind of men. If he had proceeded at the same rate whilst he was with me, he could not but have understood many things, as probably now he doth: but you are sensible that I do not at all value those kind of secrets; that which I much esteem him for, is, that he is well skilled in the manual operation of such things as are prescribed to him, and is very ingenious. He proffers his service to me, but I would not have him come at present, because I will not employ myself about Experiments, till I have completed my Philosophy for the Press. But if at any time afterwards he is at liberty, and cannot dispose of himself to better advantage, I should be satisfied, if he would be with me; yet I must beg of you not to acquaint him herewith; for many things may fall out in the interim, which might hinder him, and I would not, ut in calculo suo falleretur, that he should be frustrated of his expectations, as most Alchemists are; but if you understand his condition, and course of life, you may, if you please, acquaint me therewith. I suppose Bressiclus, the Gratianopolitan, is the person he speaks of, a Chemical Physician, who being a great Admirer of his Philosophy, visited him, and cohabited with him a long time, in order to the trying of Experiments, he being a most ingenious and excellent Artist. The Abstract of another Epistle. I Was overjoyed when you did inform me that a Brass-plate did weigh no more when hot, than cold; for that is a principal thing in your experiment concerning the Aeolipile; and beyond all dispute, now, this being granted, without doubt, that which increaseth its weight four or five grains, when it is heated, is only the rarefaction of the air therein contained, and by this method of weighing the air is found out. Also, If two bodies be thrown up on high, the Air resists the lighter body, which is the reason it cannot mount so high as the other body. Likewise, The reason why a pair of Bellows, when opened, are filled with air is, because the air, when you move them to blow, is crowded out of that place which the lower part of the bellows receives, being lifted up; and because that air can find no room for itself in any other part of the World, therefore it retires again into the Bellows. I thought it not amiss to insert here some scattered pieces, which are found in his French Epistles; that the opinion of so Eminent and Exemplary a Person, concerning the various and curious Arcana of Nature, might not be buried in Oblivion. FINIS.