Penetration of his Genius, in ſearching for new Proofs of the Exiſtence of a God, was ſuſpected to believe there was no ſuch Being.
Such a Perſecution from all Sides, muſt neceſſarily ſuppoſe a moſt exalted Merit as well as a very diſtinguiſh'd Reputation, and indeed he poſſeſs'd both. Reaſon at that Time darted a Ray upon the World thro' the Gloom of the Schools, and the Prejudices of popular Superſtition. At laſt his Name ſpread ſo univerſally, that the French were deſirous of bringing him back into his native Country by Rewards, and accordingly offer'd him an annual Penſion of a thouſand Crowns. Upon theſe Hopes Des Cartes return'd to France; paid the Fees of his Patent, which was ſold at that Time, but no Penſion was ſettled upon him. Thus diſappointed, he return'd to his Solitude in North-Holland, where he again purſued the Study of Philoſophy, whilſt the great Galileo, at fourſcore Years of Age, was groaning in the Priſons of the Inquiſition, only for having demonſtrated the Earth's Motion.
