a man raise a great expectation of himself by boasting? If he could, neither of you would be long before you raised it of yourselves; saving that what you have already published, has made it now too late. For I verily believe there was never seen worse reasoning than in that philosophical essay; which any judicious reader would believe proceeded from a prevaricator, rather than from a man that believed himself; nor worse principles, than those in your books of Geometry. The expectation of that which should be written by me, was raised partly by the _Cogitata Physica-Mathematica_ of Mersennus, wherein I am often named with honour; and partly by others with whom I then conversed in Paris, without any ostentation. That no man has a great expectation of any thing that shall proceed from either of you two, I am content to let it be your praise. Another argument of my self-conceit, you take from my contempt of the writers of metaphysics and school-divinity. If that be a sign of self-conceit, I must confess I am guilty; and if your geometry had then been published, I had contemned that as much. But yet I cannot see the consequence (unless you lend me your better logic) from despising insignificant and absurd language, to self-conceit. And again, in your _Vindiciæ Academiarum_, you put for boasting, that in my _Leviathan_ , page 331, I would have _that book by entire sovereignty imposed upon the Universities_; and in my _Review_ , p. 713, that I say of my _Leviathan_ , “_I think it may be profitably printed, and more profitably taught in the University_.” The cause of my writing that book, was the consideration of what the ministers before, and in the beginning of, the civil war, by their preaching and writing did contribute thereunto. Which I saw not only to tend to the abatement of the then civil power, but also to the gaining of as much thereof as they could (as did afterwards more plainly appear) unto themselves. I saw also that those ministers, and many other gentlemen who were of their opinion, brought their doctrines against the civil power from their studies in the Universities. Seeing therefore that so much as could be contributed to the peace of our country, and the settlement of sovereign power without any army, must proceed from teaching; I had reason to wish, that civil doctrine were truly taught in the Universities. And if I had not thought that mine was such, I had never written it. And having written it, if I had not recommended it to such as had the power to cause it to be taught, I had written it to no purpose. To me therefore that never did write anything in philosophy to show my wit, but, as I thought at least, to benefit some part or other of mankind, it was very necessary to commend my doctrine to such men as should have the power and right to regulate the Universities. I say my doctrine; I say not my _Leviathan_ . For wiser men may so digest the same doctrine as to fit it better for a public teaching.