They advised him therefore to suppress it; and he
yielded to their opinion. It may be observed in reading the royal
privilege, that the present title of the book is different from
what it was to have had. To these extracts from the Greek poets
translated into Latin verse, Grotius annexed two pieces, one of
Plutarch, the other of St. Basil, on the use of the poets; giving
the Greek text with a Latin translation."
The work was received with universal approbation.
X. 2.
_His Treatise de Jure Belli et Pacis_.
Grotius may be considered as the founder of the modern school of _the
Law of Nature and of Nations_. He was struck with the ruthless manner,
in which wars were generally conducted; the slight pretences, upon which
they were generally begun; and the barbarity and injustice, with which
they were generally attended. He attributed these evils to the want of
settled principles respecting the rights and duties of nations and
individuals in a state of war.
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