This youth, uncertain what course to take, was in doubt whether he ought not to seek his fortune in Sweden under the credit of his father’s name.  Grotius, hearing of this design, writes to his brother[753], “If my son thinks to raise himself in Sweden, I see no other way of doing it, than by a perfect knowledge of Navigation and Commerce.  The profession of a Lawyer is not lucrative, nor doth it succeed with every one.”

Vossius was still well pleased with him[754].  The ardour he discovered for the study of the Law determined Grotius to propose to him a translation of the Institutes of the Law of Holland into good Latin, like that of the Digests; and he asked his brother, William Grotius, and all his friends, to encourage and assist his Son in the execution of this design, which might be useful to the public and to the author.  He wrote to Gerard Vossius[755] to the same effect.  William Grotius laboured with his nephew in this translation.  Grotius, in returning him his thanks for assisting his Son, desires him to make him read, as he went on, what was contained in the Digests relating to the matter he was translating.

In summer, 1636, Peter Grotius had an offer of going to the Brasils in Count Nassau’s retinue.  Grotius approved of it, provided his Son might have a creditable post, in which he might learn Navigation:  he was the more desirous that his Son might make this voyage, as the present state of his affairs would not permit him to keep him in the way the latter chose to live.

If this project did not succeed, Grotius wanted that his Son should pass the winter at the Hague in the study of the Law, and come to France in the spring, 1637, to take his degree in the university of Orleans; then return to the Hague to study some time longer, and afterwards go to Amsterdam to practise as an Advocate, this profession being there most lucrative.

The voyage to the Brasils did not take place.  Peter Grotius came to his father in summer, 1637.  He seems to have been well satisfied with him, as we may judge by a letter written to his brother[756], Aug. 15, this year.  “Peter is arrived here:  he is much indebted to you, to his grandfather, and all his friends and relations, for instilling into him such good principles.  I am very well satisfied with his diligence.”  He writes six months after[757], “I am only afraid for his ambition, which is the vice of youth:  he will live with more ease, and gain more as an Advocate.  I would beg of you, that as soon as he returns, which will be immediately, you would put him upon studying the precedents in law.  But what is chiefly to be inculcated is diligence and love of labour.”  Peter was preparing to return to Holland, when a Surgeon undertook to make him walk without halting[758].  There were some hopes of his succeeding in whole or in part; but the event did not correspond with the Surgeon’s promises, and Peter set out soon after for Holland, in the end of April, 1638.  Grotius