DISCOURSE ON METHOD. 33 



it necessary to endeavour by all means to render 

 myself worthy of the reputation accorded to me j and 

 it is now exactly eight years since this desire con- 

 strained me to remove from all those places where 

 interruption from any of my acquaintances was pos- 

 sible, and betake myself to this country,* in which 

 the long duration of the war has led to the establish- 

 ment of such discipline, that the armies maintained 

 seem to be of use only in enabling the inhabitants 

 to enjoy more securely the blessings of peace ; and 

 where, in the midst of a great crowd actively ^ 

 engaged in business, and more careful of their own 

 affairs than curious about those of others, I have 

 been enabled to live without being deprived of any 

 of the conveniences to be had in the most populous 

 cities, and yet as solitary and as retired as in the 

 midst of the most remote deserts. 

 * Holland; to which country he withdrew in 1629. Tr. 



