A summary or compendium of the life of the most famous philosopher Renatus Descartes written originally in Latin by Peter Borellus ... ; to which is also added an epitome of his life by Marcus Zurius Boxbornius ...

A Catalogue of the Manuscripts of Descartes, found at Stock∣holm after his Death. Anno 1650.

A. Decem codices Responsio∣num ad quaesita eruditorum circa Mathematicas disciplinas.

B. De Numeris irrationali∣bus,

de quantitate linearum quae in dato circulo inscriptae sunt quantitatem Circumferen∣tiae cui datae lineae subtendun∣tur, cognoscere, aliaque propost∣ta ac demonstrationes.

Problema ad numerum repe∣riendum, cujus partes aliquotae sub duplices sint.

Propositio de Parabolis com∣positis, & de partibus aliquotis numerorum.

Cogitationes variae de a∣nimo.

Quaestiones quaedam de nu∣meris.

Considerationes quaedam Phy∣sicae incipientes.

Quare pueri labuntur in som∣num, dum cunae concutiuntur.

Promiscuae Animadversiones de coelis.

Physicae Quaestiones, & Con∣sideratio Physica.

Thaumantis Regia.

Epistola de Mersenum.

Liber anni 1619. Kal. Jan. sub titulo Parnassi de conside∣rationibus Mathematicis.

C. Olympica & ad margi∣nem 11. Novembris coepi intelli∣gere fundamentum inventi mira∣bilis.

Quaedom in scientias conside∣rationes.

Quaedam de Algebra. Democritica. Experimenta. Praeambula.

D. Introductio ad Algebram suam 155. pag.

E. Scriptum sic inciens. Vitellio sic numerat.

Aliud, Metallorum pondera. Primae cogitationes circa ge∣nerationes animalium 19. fol. cont.

De Magnete Kircheri. De formatione Animalium. 5. folia.

Historiae Metallorum. Remedia, & vires Medica∣mentorum.

Observationum de natura Plan∣tarum & Animalium pag: 16.

De partibus in inferiore ven∣tre contentis.

F. Codices novem de Regulis utilibus & claris, ad ingenii di∣rectionem in veritatis inquisiti∣ene.

G Descriptio Corporis humani. De natura Hominis & Ani∣malium; an imperfect piece.

H. Progymnasinata de parti∣bus aliquotis numerorum.

1. Epistolae.

K. Secunda pars tractatus de Passionibus.

L. Querela Apologetica ad amplissimum Senatum Vltraje∣ctinum, contra Voetium & Dema∣tium.

M. Progymnasmata de solido∣rum Elementis.

N. De natura Passionum∣nimae.

O. Sub forma Epistolae ad Dominos...... nine Books.

P. Collectanea de calculo ad Geometriam utilia; in twelve Books.

Q. Veritatis Inquisitio Lu∣mine naturali. fol. 13.

R. De Musica fol. 8. written in the year 1618.

S. Explicatio machinarum, quarum ope, parvis cum viribus, magna tolli possunt onera. 6. pag.

T. Epistolarum ad varios fol. 262. in 4^o.

V-Epistol. ad Serenissimam Principissam Bohemiae 19. fol. in 4^o. and two in 80.

X. De doctrina Principi∣orum suorum, in 14. leaves, but in some things varying from

the Treatise published of that Subject.

Y. Tractatus de Geometria.

Z. De responsionibus ad Ob∣jectiones quasdam, &c. in 14 several leafes. These are is Manuscripts.

Here follow those works of his that were published in French and Latine.

Methode de bien conduire la raison, pour trouver la verite dans les sciences. 16. 7. 4. Be∣sides, la Dioptrique les Meteores & la Geometrie, which are es∣says of that method, Printed at Leyden, and sold by John le Maire.

Renati Descartes meditationes de prima Philosophia, in which God's existencie, & the immor∣tality of the Soul is demon∣strated;

at Paris, by Michael Soly in S. Jame's street, at the sign of the Phoenix, Anno 1641. in 80. It contains six meditations, and answers to some objections; He also dedicates his Opus Theologicum to Gassendus, prin∣ted at Paris.

Renati Descartes meditationes de prima Philosophia. In which God's existencie, & the distin∣ction between the soul and body of man are demonstrated; to which are several objections made by learned men against those demonstrations of God and the Soul, with the Author's answer thereunto. The second

edition, with the Addition of seven objections never before made publick, at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, Anno 1642. in 24. with the Epistle of Father Dinet the Jesuite, in which he answers many objecti∣ons made by a certain person.

Renati Descartes Principia Philosophiae, dedicated to Eli∣zabeth eldest daughter of Fre∣derick King of Bohemia, Count Palatine, and Elector of the sacred Roman Empire, Printed at Amsterdam, for Lewis El∣zevir, Anno 1644. It contains four parts; to which are an∣nexed his Specimina Philoso∣phiae,

seu dissertatio de metho∣do rectae regendae rationis & veritatis investigandae. His Dioptrice and Meteora transla∣ted out of French, perus'd and corrected by the Author.

Les Passions de l' Ame, par Rene Descartes, at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, An. 1650, in 8. In this Treatise there are three parts; it was published by Monsieur Degmont, who adds the Epistle he writ to him concerning that Subject.

Clauberg quotes his Medita∣tiones, Objectiones, Responsiones, & Epistolae ad Dinetum, Voe∣tium;

the third Edition, by Elzevit, Anno 1650.

Geometria a Renato Des∣cartes 1537. published in French, and now with the notes of Florimond'de Beaume Coun∣fellour to the French King in the Court at Blois, turn'd into Latine, and illustrated with a Comment; by the labour and industry of the Mathema∣ticks in that University, Printed for John Maire, at Leyden, An. 1640. in quarto.

This Treatise of Geometry, with his Specimina Philoso∣phiae Descartes, published in

French without a name to it; but it being earnestly desired by many persons who were ig∣norant in the French Tongue, Schelten translated it into La∣tine and published it.

Renati Descartes Musicae compendium. Trajecti ad Rhe∣num, Printed by Gilbert a Zull and Theodorus ab Ackersdijck, Anno 1650. in quarto.

Les Meditations Metaphysi∣ques de Rene Descartes, touch∣ant la Premiere Philosophie. In which God's Existencie, and the real distinction between the Soul and the Body of man,

are demonstrated, translated out of the Authours Latin, into French, by Monsieur le D. D. L. N. S. and

Les objections faits contre ces Meditations par diverses per∣sonnes Doctes, avec les respon∣ces del' Autheur; Translated by M. B. L. R. Printed at Paris, and sold by the Widdow of John Camusat and Peter le Petit; as also

La responce au recueil de ses principales Instacnes. This Translation was by a great Lord.

Books composed concerning Des∣cartes his Philosophie, either approving, or disapproving thereof.

Nova Renati Descartes sa∣pientiae, fusiore quam ante∣hac, methodo detecta, by Lentulus.

De Philosophia Cartesiana amplectenda, ambigendi impel∣lentes causas initio suae novae sapientiae, in octavo by Clauberg, who relates and confutes them.

De methodus Carthesi∣anae consideratione Theo∣logica, by James Revius,

Dr. in Divinity and President of the Colledge of the most Il∣lustrious States of Holland and Westfriesland.

Abstersio Calumniarum. By the same Authour.

Statera Philosophiae Car∣thesianae, by the same person.

Defensio Carthesiana adver∣sus Revium Theologum Lei∣densem, & Cyriacum Lentu∣lum Professorem Here bornen∣sem, by John Cla uberg professor in the publick Ʋniversity of Teutoburg upon the Rhine; pars prior exoterica, in qua Renati Cartesii dissertatio de methodo vindicatur, simul il∣lustria Carthesiana Logica &

Philosophica Specimina exhi∣bentur; at Amsterdam, by Lewis Elzevir, 1641. 6.

La Philosophie Divisce en¦toutes ses parties, Establi∣sur des Principes evidens, & expliquee en Tables & Dis∣cours ou particuliers, ou tires∣des anciens & des nouve∣auk Autheurs, & principale∣ment des Peripateticiens, & de Descartes, Compos'd by James de Roure at Paris, and sold by Thomas Jolly, Anno 1654. in 12.

Abstersio macularum Renati Descartes.

Notae & Sermo extempora∣neus, three Books heretofore made concerning Cartesius in

Holland, where many rare things are discourst of, concerning him.

Disquisitio Metaphysica, seu dubitationes & instantiae ad∣versus Renati Cartesii Meta∣physicam & Responsa. Printed at Amsterdam by John Bleau, Anno 1649, in quarto; Dedica∣ted to Serberius.

Considerations sur le Traite des Monsieur Descartes des passions de l'Ame, By N. Papin Dr. in Physick, Printed at Paris, sold by Simon Piget, in the rue St. Jaques a la Syrene, Anno 1652, in octavo. Where be expiati∣ates in the praise of Descartes.

Brevis replicatio reposita brevi explicationi ment is hu∣manae, seu animae rationis do∣mini

Henrici Regii Med. ac Phil. Ultrajectini notis Cartesii in programma ejusdem argu∣menti firmandis, veritatique magis illustrandae; By Tobias Andreas A. L. M. Greek and Latin Professor in the Ʋniversi∣ty of the States of Groenig and Oulandia, Printed at Amster∣dam, by Lew is Elzevir. an. 1653.

Henrici Regii Ultrajectini Philosophiae naturalis editio secunda, priore multa locuple∣tior & emendatior, Published at Amsterdam, by Lew is Elze∣vir, 1654.

Specimina Philosophiae Carte∣sianae, by Dan. Lipstorp Lubeker, to which is added by the same Au∣thour Copernicus Redivivus, at

Leyden, by John and Daniel El∣zevir. Anno 1653.

Physique expliquee suivant le sentiment des amiens & des nouveaux Philosophes, & Principalement de Descartes by James de Roure, the se∣cond Edition printed at Paris, by Thomas Jolly. Anno 1654.

Monsieur de Clercelier will suddenly publish his Epistles translated by Monsieur Picot, as also his Objections he hath put in another Language. Mon∣sieur Hollenc, a Dutchman, hath many of his Epistles with their Answers. Francis Schoten, Pro∣fessor of the Mathematicks at Leyden, in his Epistle to the Reader, stiles him a most No∣ble

and incomparable Person.

These Verses are deserved∣ly placed upon his Effigies.

Talis erat vultu Naturae filius unus. Qui mente in matris viscera pandit iter, Assignansque suis quaevis mira∣cula causis, Miraculum in reliquum solus in orbe fuit. Here's Natur's Darling in Effigie, Who reach't his Mothers se∣crets by his brains, The nat'ral cause of wonders shews, whilst He The only wonder of the world remains.

He had an admirable me∣thod peculiar to himself, which he made use of; and by which he examin'd all Propositions; first whether they were possible, and then by the same method he taught the solution of them; which is judg'd to be con∣tained in his Geometry.

I shall not attempt the relation of the Elegies be∣stowed upon him, because they are infinite; it shall suf∣fice if I affirm that he was deservedly applauded by all

Authors that writ of him; among whom John Clauberg extols his modesty and other qualifications in a Speech.

Henry More, a Learned Eng∣lishman, in his judgement of his dissertations speaks thus of him.

In your method by a certain elegant and sportive kind of modesty, you manifest your self a man of such parts that nothing can be phansied or desired more pleasant or amia∣ble then your virtuous incli∣nation, and natural dispositi∣on, nothing more noble or ge∣nerous.

Gassendus himself could not avoid writing to him thus.

To the famous Renatus Des-car∣tes;

Renowned Sir, Our friend Mersenus made me happy, when he communicated those your sublime meditations concern∣ing the first Philosophy; for the excellencie of the argument, the readiness of the wit, and the perspicuity of the stile was wonderfully taking; therefore I doe freely rejoyce on your behalf, that you should so nobly and successfully attempt

to advance the bounds of Learning, and facilitate those things that were counted the most absttuse in all former Ages.

A certain Divine objecting against his meditations expres∣seth himself thus;

Truly, as far as I can per∣ceive, Monsieur Descartes is a man of such admirable wit and great modesty, that Mae∣vius himself could not but fall in love with him, if he were present,

We thought it not imper∣tinent to insert the Opinion of some persons concerning the

Place of Descartes his Nativi∣ty; which is, that he was not born in the very Castle Eral∣dum, but at Tours, near that Castle.

Marcus Lurius Boxhornius Historiographer in the Ʋni∣versity of Leyden upon the death of Descartes.

To Renatus Descartes that nocle Frenchman Sieur de Perron.

WHO knowing how much we are ignorant of, and that the greatest part

of what we know not, and that most people are ignorant of those things they boast and presume to understand, and that by this means such things are taught and delivered which must be unlearned; though it seem'd good to him to doubt of those hitherto received opi∣nions of Philosophers; that doubting he might find out a plain way to wisdom both for himself and others; who re∣stored the Philosophy that was aequaevous to Nature; and so consequently that which was as true as ancient; and brought the same out of that filthy servitude wherewith it

had been enslav'd for many Ages, and as it were ma∣numitted it; who by his wit and experiments survey∣ing the Universal Nature of things, and making a dili∣gent and serious inspection into her closest cabinet coun∣sels, was not satisfied with those things that were ancient, for their antiquity; nor did those that were modern dissa∣tisfy by reason of their novelty for he was sensible that what is now old was once new, and what is now new will in pro∣cess of time become old, but as he found them either true or false; therefore a new and

true way of Philosophizing was set up, which will continue, and in time grow old; the famous Peter Chaunt, Ambassadour from the Most Christian King to Chri∣stina, the Most Noble and Learned Queen of Swedeland, erected this Monument with that of Marble.

The same Authors Epitaph.

Qui sibi demeruit totum Cartesi∣us orbem, Extremum fati transigit ille diem. Avia cui veterum visa est sapi∣entia, veram Praetulit antiquae, praeposuit∣que novam.

Sunt imitatores servum pecus, hunc venerare, Naturam agnosces hoc praee∣unte ducem.

Here lies Descartes who deserv'd to have A world, intombed in a single Grave. To him old Learning crabbed seem'd, the true He did preferr to th' old, pro∣pos'd the new; They are dull that Ape him, doe you reverence pay To him that taught, that nature leads the way.

These verses were annexed by Christian Hugenius, to the Effigies of Descartes, lively represented by Francis Schoten.

Primus inaccessum qui per tot se∣cula verum Eruit e terris longae ealiginis umbras, Mysta sagax. Natura, tuus sic cernitur orbi Cartesius: Voluit sacros in ima∣gine vultus Jungere victurae artificis pia dex∣tera famae;

Omnia ut aspicerent quem saeculo nulla tacebunt.

Truth that lay shrowded in the veil of night For many Ages, he first brought to light: Thus Nature, thy Interpreter, we see Cartes; and th' Artist strives by skill that he May match his Statue to his long-liv'd fame; To let all see each Age pro∣claims his Name.

Thus the great Descartes liv'd and died, after four moneths residence in Swedeland; where, in that small tract of time, he had so ingratiated him∣self in the favour of the Queen, that, as Daniel Lipstorp, Profes∣sor of Philosophy at Lubeck, af∣firms, she did condescend to water his arme with her tears; he left us wonderful praises of him, and proves that he was accounted chief among those persons that were eminent above other men; and that Phi∣losophy was beholding to the same Descartes for a new birth; and relates many things con∣cerning

his life, viz. that his Father was a noble person of Poictiers, and liv'd a private life at the Town of Limonum in that country, a long time; and that afterwards he was made Lord President in the chief Court of Kenes in the Dutchy of Britany, who died whilst Descartes was in the Low Coun∣tryes. He goes on farther; that he made his Compendium Musicae when he was twenty years of age. He gain'd Ʋreter, and Becman Moderator of the Col∣ledge of Dort, and a most Fa∣mous Philosopher and Mathe∣matician, as his friends and ad∣mirers, soon after he had solv'd

those Propositions in his Method which were thought impossible for all persons. But before he betook himself to his retiring place, he had seen the Military Discipline of France, the Low Countryes, Denmark, Germany and Italy. At Ʋlme he saluted John Faulhabertus a Fa∣mous Mathematician, and when he had clear'd unto him many knotty difficulties in the Mathe∣maticks, as also to Peter Roten of Norimberg a Mathematician, he soon gain'd the love of all the learned Men there.

Then he visited the more Northern parts of Germany, and saw Pomerania, the Marquisate of

Brandenburgh, Megapolis, Holsa∣tia, Denmark, and from thence went to Holland; afterwards he went to Italy through the Ne∣therlands, and then arrived in France, and resided three years at Paris. There he was acquain∣ted with Monsieur Claudius My∣dorgius a Parisian Senator, and Treasurer of France; Florimond de Beaune a Senator in the Court of Parliament at Blois, John Baptista Morinus Mathe∣matical Professor, &c.

Then leaving Paris, as also his Brothers, Sisters, &c. He came to his Philosophical Re∣tirement at Egmond, where he continued some time; then he

was at Endegest, then at Amster∣dam, then at Leward in West∣frizeland, then at Daventry, then again in a little village near Harlem, then again at Harder∣wick, then at Ʋtrecht in Hol∣land, then at Leyden; but he most frequently liv'd in villa∣ges, where he compos'd his books in this subsequent order; his Dissertation concerning Method, his Dioptricks and Meteorologicks: then his Geo∣metry, upon which Treatise Florimond de Beaune and Fran∣cis Schoten made Annotations; then he compiled his Meditati∣ons, and his Principles of Phi∣losophy; he also made his Tra∣ctate

of Man, of the Generati∣on of Animals, and his Geome∣trical Analysis, which will spee∣dily be published: as also a small Treatise concerning Me∣chanicks, which with two E∣pistles to the most Serene Prin∣cess Elizabeth, I have delive∣red to the Printer, that they may be made publick.

Among his friends and ad∣mirers are to be reckoned C. Salmasius, S. Maresius, Abraham Heidan, Professors in Divinity; Adrian Herebord, James Golins, John de Raey a Physitian, Godfrey ab Hastrecht a noble Leodicensian, Cornelius Heegland a noble Dutchman, Monsieur Picot a noble

Frenchman, Monsieur Chilot the Mathematician, and an innume∣rable number of other persons.

That we may also lay some stone to adorn the Tomb of Des∣cartes, take this Epitaph of him.

The Epitaph of Descartes.

Siste gradum, Viator; hic enim in parvulo isto Sarcophago vir latet, quem totus vix olim orbis continere potuerat; ingenio enim suo omnes antiquos super avit Philosophos. Is fuit qui Natu∣rae velum, quo se ab hominum conspectu retrahebat, solus amo∣vit, quique rebus antiquis, novi∣tatem,

obscuris lucem, & novis authoritatem dedit: sed immodi∣cis brevis sit aetas, & rara se∣nectus, nobis subito ereptus est; senex enim ante aetatem profunda sua et universali eruditione cum esset, mors illum pro vero sene in aetatis suae flore sustulit. Lacry∣mis tuis dignus fuit profecto quisquis es, praesertim si literariae Reipublicae membrum existas: erat enim Doctorum ornamen∣tum, Philosophorum gemma, Mathematicorum Corona. Homi∣numque omnium Decus; virtu∣tes omnes in illo tanquam Gra∣tiae conjunctae manibus erant; a∣deo ut dubitasses quaenam ea∣rum in eo magis emineret, ut sol

inter astra minuta, vel Luna inter ignes minores, per totum orbem effulsit. Cumque non sibi, sed aliis natus esset, unicuique fere Nationi per aliquod tempus sese ostendit, ut eas grata sua prae∣sentia erudieret. Lugeant ergo omnes immaturum ejus obitum, ejusque exemplo caeteri Philosophi filo Cartesiano quod in suis nobis reliquit seriptis e rerum Naturae Labyrinthis sese extrlca∣re tentent, ut tanquam Pygmaei Gigantis illius humeris insisten∣tes aliquid, si possibile sit, ulteri∣us conspicere valeant; ad ho∣minum omnium, praecipue Litera∣torum, utilitatem, propriamque suam laudem, nostri semper Au∣thoris

laudes decantantes, quod viam ad abstrusiora penetranda iis monstraverit, quodque veri∣tatis in profundo delitescentes detegendi amore eremos longis∣simo tempore coluerit, ut tan∣dem scientia satiati quantum a∣pud homines licet, cum illo ad Beatorum sedes conscendere va∣leant.

Now, Courteous Reader, you have the promis'd Epitome of the Life of Descartes, and of all things that could possi∣bly come to our knowledge concerning him; may you enjoy it with all the satisfa∣ction imaginable; and if we find that this is acceptable, it will be an encouragement to us to offer unto you some∣thing more perfect.

Addition.

Cornelius ab Hogeland de∣dicated his Cogitationes de Existentia Dei, & Animae Spi∣ritualitate, &c. to Monsieur Descartes.

FINIS.