Page:The ethics of Hobbes (IA ethicsofhobbes00hobb).pdf/20

his eldest son. In 1610 Hobbes went to the Continent with his young master. He was especially impressed during his travels by the great interest manifested in the study of physical science. Returning to England, the next eighteen years find him devoting himself to classical study. Availing himself of the advantages afforded by the library of the Earl of Devonshire, he made a careful study of the Greek poets and historians. The outcome of these studies was a translation of Thucydides, published in 1628; also a translation of Homer. His relation to distinguished men of letters constitutes another interesting feature of this period of his life. Through his master he became acquainted with Lord Bacon, who found in him a very congenial acquaintance. He also associated with Edward Herbert, later Baron of Cherbury, founder of the deistic movement in England; also with Ben Jonson and Sir Robert Ayton. In 1628 his companion and master, the young earl, died. This caused a decided change in the affairs of Hobbes. After remaining several months with the family of his late master, in 1629 he accepted an invitation to go to the Continent as traveling tutor to Sir Gervase Clifford's son. During this visit abroad Hobbes was for the first time brought into contact with Euclid's Elements. This fact is of great interest when we remember the prevalence of the mathematical method involved in the philosophy of nature of the time and the influence of this method on Hobbes's later philosophical thinking. He also at this time became more or less interested in the subject of motion, which was receiving much attention in scientific circles. In 1631, while studying in Paris, he accepted an invitation to become tutor to the young son of his late master, the Earl of Devonshire. In 1634, in company with the young earl, he made his third visit to the Continent. They traveled through France and Italy, finally returning to France. Hobbes took up his abode in Paris, where he remained