Grotius

or De Groot, Hugo, a Dutch statesman; born in Delft, Hol- Jand, April 10, 1583. In 1613 he supported Barneveldt and the cause of the Arminians by his pen and influence. But for this he received sentence of imprisonment for life in the fortre of Lee we stein. From this, however, at the expiration of 18 months, which he had employed in writing his celebrated ‘“ Treatise on the Truth of the Christian Religion,” he succeeded in escaping. This was effected by the management of his wife, who contrived to have him ecarried out of the castle in a chest that had been used for the conveyance of books and linen. Grotius at first sought an asylum in France; and it was during his residence there that he composed his great work, “‘'The Justice of War and Peace.” On his return to his native country he was condemned to perpetual banishment. He pa ed the remnant of his life in the diplomatic service of Sweden, dying Aug. 28, 1645.