XII.  The year following, that is to say, 1600, Grotius published the Treatise which Aratus, of Sola in Cilicia, composed in Greek on Astronomy, two hundred and some odd years before the birth of Christ.  It is known by the name or the Phaenomena of Aratus.  The title fully shews what Grotius gives in this book.  It contains the Phaenomena of Aratus in Greek with Cicero’s Latin interpretation, the places where Cicero’s Translation is wanting being supplied; a Translation of the same Phaenomena, ascribed to Germanicus; the fragment of Aratus’s Prognostics, and the forms of the constellations as found in a Manuscript; with Remarks upon the whole, the Paraphrase of Festus Avienus, and marginal notes.

This work is dedicated to the States of Holland and West Friesland:  the author in the dedication promises them others more considerable.  The book is a prodigy of science and erudition:  it discovers a great knowledge of Physics, and especially of Astronomy.  The Latin verses made by Grotius to supply those of Cicero that were lost, are not inferior to the lines of that great man, in the opinion of the Abbe d’Olivet, an excellent judge, who likewise thinks the supplement a very good commentary on Aratus’s work.  The corrections made by Grotius in the Greek are most judicious; and his notes shew he had read several of the Rabbi’s, and had some tincture of the Arabic.

Scaliger[35], M. de Thou, and Lipsius, speak of this edition with the highest praise.  Lipsius, in thanking Grotius for his Aratus, says that notwithstanding his childhood he looks on him as his friend:  he congratulates him, that, tho’ so very young, he had by force of genius and labour accomplished what few could do in the flower of their age[36].

Casaubon[37] tells us, every one was surprised at such an extraordinary production.  Bonaventura Vulcanus, who took occasion from Grotius’s publishing this book, to write his elogium in verse, says in the conclusion, that Apollo had opened to him his sanctuary, and that he was himself an Apollo.

Grotius’s modesty would not permit him to leave us ignorant that he had been assisted by his Father in this work.  It may be proper to observe, that a library in Germany contains a copy of Grotius’s edition of the Phaenomena of Aratus, collated with an ancient manuscript by the learned Nicholas Heinsius, who has added some Notes[38].

FOOTNOTES: 

[35] Ep.  Scal. 375.  Ep.  Gr. 2.

[36] Ep.  Lips. ad Belgas, Cent. 3. p. 83.

[37] Ep. 130.

[38] Fab.  Bib.  Gr. lib. 3. c. 18.

XIII.  These grave and profound studies did not hinder Grotius from cultivating Poetry.  He had made some verses in his childhood which were thought very pretty:  he continued this manner of writing in the midst of his greatest occupations, and with such success, that he was looked on as one of the best Poets in Europe.