Johnson: he was learned, pious, and opposed to the
doctrines of Calvin. It is still more unnecessary to mention the various
encomiums, which the learned of all nations have made of Grotius, in
prose and verse. That he was one of the most universal scholars, whom
the world has produced, and that he possessed sense, taste, and genius
in a high degree, is universally confessed. It is equally true, that
both his public and his private character, are entitled to a high degree
of praise.
When Queen Christina, heard of his death, she wrote to his widow, a
letter of condolence, and requested, that the manuscripts which he had
left, might be sent to her:
"My ambassador," the Queen says in this letter, "has made you
acquainted, with my high esteem, for his learning, and the good
services he did me; but he could not express, how dear I hold his
memory, and the effects of his great labours. If gold, or silver,
could do any thing towards redeeming such a valuable life, I would
gladly employ all, I am mistress of, for that purpose.
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