Whatever may be the merit of the work of which we are speaking, it must be admitted, that few, on their first appearance, and during a long subsequent period after publication, have received greater or warmer applause. The stores of erudition displayed in it, recommended it to the classical scholar, while the happy application of the author's reading to the affairs of human life, drew to it the attention of common readers. Among those, whose approbation of it, deserved to be recorded, Gustavus Adolphus,--his prime minister the Chancellor Oxenstiern,--and the Elector Palatine Charles Lewis, deserve particular mention.[035] As the trophies of Miltiades are supposed to have kept Themistocles awake, it has been said that the trophies of Grotius drove sleep from Selden, till be produced his celebrated treatise, "_De Jure naturali et gentium secundum leges Ebræorim_." This important work equals that of Grotius in learning; but, from the partial and recondite nature of its subject, never equalled it in popularity. [Sidenote: X. 9. His Treatise de Jure Belli et Pacis] The supposed want of general elementary principles in the work of Grotius gave occasion to Puffendorf's treatise _de Jure Naturae et Gentium_; afterwards abridged by him into the small octavo volume _De Officio hominis et civis_: an edition of it in octavo was published by Professor Garschen Carmichael, of Glasgow, in 1724. The best edition of Grotius's treatise _de Jure Belli et Pacis_ was published at Amsterdam in 1730, by John Barbeyrac. Foreigners observe, that the study of the law of nature and nations is less cultivated in England than upon the continent. Is it not, because Englishmen are blessed with a free constitution; are admitted into a general participation of all its blessings; are thus personally interested in the national concerns; and have therefore a jurisprudence, which comes nearer to their bosoms? Is it not also, because the law of nature and nations, with all its merit, is so loose, that its principles seldom admit of that practical application, which renders them really useful; and which an English mind always requires? X.3. _De Veritate Religionis Christianæ._ [Sidenote: CHAP. X. 1621-1634.] Grotius, while a prisoner in the Castle of Louvestein, had written, in the Dutch language, "A treatise on the Truth of the Christian Religion." He afterwards enlarged it, and translated it, so enlarged, into Latin. It was universally read and admired. French, German, English, modern Greek, Persic, and even Turkish versions of it have been made: it was equally approved by Catholics and Protestants. [Sidenote: De Veritate Religionis Christianæ.]