Descartes: A Biography

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 Descartes: A Biography

not resolve the underlying issues. With the outbreak of open war between

the two sides, the young king and his mother had to flee Paris during the

night of January–, and the hostilities in Paris ceased only with the Peace

of Ruel in March.

Descartes seems to have been unaware of the political situation in his

native country, and he was taken by surprise by the unfolding events

in Paris during his visit in the summer of. The French resident

in The Hague, Brasset, had written to him a few times in spring,

usually to pass on letters that arrived from Chanut in Stockholm.In the

course of discussing questions that were relevant to Descartes’ philosophy

and Queen Christina’s interest in it, Brasset mentioned the preliminary

discussions that led to the peace of Munster, the success of French troops ̈

against the Spanish at Naples, and the willingness of France to continue the

war unless the terms of the proposed settlement were satisfactory. Thus he

was not completely out of touch with news of military operations. Perhaps

Descartes and his contemporaries had become so accustomed to a war that

had been waged off and on for thirty years that they failed to recognize

the significance of changed circumstances in France. Besides, there were

no indications in letters received during springthat the political

situation was particularly unstable in Paris. Hence Descartes’ surprise,

and his extreme disappointment, when he reached the French capital.

The returning Frenchman had given clear indications, before arriving

in Paris, of where he wished to lodge and how he hoped to spend his

time there. He told Picot in April that he preferred not to accept his kind

invitation to lodge with him, and that he would prefer more central accom-

modations, perhaps on rue Saint Honoreorthe Faubourg St-Germain. ́

He also requested facilities that would allow him ‘to be served on his own

and to dine alone as usual’. If that was impossible, he would accept accom-

modation in a residence owned by very respectable people and in which

he was the only guest. He would need at least three rooms, one in which

to study, one properly furnished in which he could receive guests, and

a third room for his valet. Finally, he would not require horses, a stable,

or even a carriage entrance, but he would require use of a carriage for

journeys within the city.Picot found a suitable place for him, which also

provided ready access to a Catholic church where he could attend mass.

Descartes was about to leave The Hague for Rotterdam and, from there, to

travel by sea to France onMay when he received a letter from Chanut.

His reply (quoted earlier), after he had arrived in Paris, shows the extent

of his disappointment.