I own I value infinitely a Criticism on the Sense, if the expression may be allow'd. Such is the excellent work of Machiavel upon the Decades of Livy; and such would be the reflections of Monsieur de Rohan upon Cesar's Commentaries, had he penetrated deeper into his Designs, and expos'd to a clearer light the secret springs of his Conduct. I must own nevertheless, that he has equall'd the penetration of Machiavel in his Remarks upon the clemency of Cesar in the Civil Wars. But we may see, that his own experience of such Wars, furnish'd him with abundance of hints for those judicious Observations.
Next to the study of polite Learning (for which I have a more particular affection) I love the science of those great Lawyers and Civilians, who might themselves be Legislators; who re-ascend to that original Justice that settled human Society; who know what Liberty nature allows in establish'd Governments; and how far the natural liberty of private Persons is restrain'd for the publick good by necessary Politicks. These instructions might be found in the conversation of M. Sluse[1], with as much pleasure as profit. From Hobbes, that great Genius of England, we might also receive these noble lights; tho with less exactness, because he carries some things too far, and is altogether upon extremes in others.
Were Grotius yet alive, all things might be learned of that universal Scholar, who is yet more valuable for his Reasonings than for his Learning. Now he is dead, his Writings resolve the most important difficulties; and were Justice only regarded, they might be a standing rule to all Nations in points of War and Peace. His Book, De
- ↑ A Canon of St. Lambert at Liege; and Brother to M. Sluse, Secretary of the briefs to the Pope, and afterwards a Cardinal.
