tive Country, in order to enjoy the Happineſs of cultivating his philoſophical Studies in full Liberty.
Des Cartes was very right, for his Cotemporaries were not knowing enough to improve and enlighten his Underſtanding, and were capable of little elſe than of giving him Uneaſineſs.
He left France purely to go in ſearch of Truth, which was then perſecuted by the wretched Philoſophy of the Schools. However, he found that Reaſon was as much diſguis'd and deprav'd in the Univerſities of Holland, into which he withdrew, as in his own Country. For at the Time that the French condemn'd the only Propoſitions of his Philoſophy which were true, he was perſecuted by the pretended Philoſophers of Holland, who underſtood him no better; and who, having a nearer View of his Glory, hated his Perſon the more, ſo that he was oblig'd to leave Utrecht. Des Cartes was injuriouſly accus'd of being an Atheiſt, the laſt Refuge of religious Scandal: And he
who had employ'd all the Sagacity and
