at a good Table at the expense of another Man. Thus he spent the remaining part of his Life in the House of his last Landlord, which was somewhat above five years and a half. Hé was very careful to caft up his Accounts every Quarter; which he did, that he might spend neither more nor lefs than what he could spend every year. And he would say fometimes to the people of the House, that he was like the Serpent, who forms a Circle with his Tail in his Mouth; to denote that he had nothing left at the years end. He added, that he defign'd to lay up no more Money than would be neceffary for him to have a decent Burying; and that, as his Parents had left him nothing, fo his Heirs and Relations fhould not expect to get much by his Death.

His Perfon, and his way of Dreffing himself.

s for his Perfon, his Size, and the

A features of his Face, there are still many

people at the Hague, who faw and knew him

particularly. He was of a middle size, he had good features in his Face, the Skin fomewhat black, black curl'd Hair, long Eyebrows, and of the fame Colour, so that one might easily know by his Looks that he was defcended from Portuguese Jews. As for his Cloaths, he was very careless of 'em, and they were not better than those of the meanest Citizen. One of the most eminent Councellors of State went to fee him, and found him in a very fiovenly Morning-Gown, whereupon the Councellor blam'd him for it, and offer'd him another. Spinofa answer'd him, that Man was never the better for having a finer Gown. To which he added, It is unreasonable to wrap up things of little or no value in a precious Cover.

His Manners, his Converfation, and his
Uninterestedness.

f he was very frugal in his way of living

his Conversation was alfo very sweet and

eafy. He knew admirably well how to be master of his Paffions: He wa never seen very melancholy, nor very merry. He had the command of his Anger, and if at any time he was uneasy in his mind, it did not appear outwardly; or if he happen'd to express his grief by fome geftures, or by fome words, he never fail❜d to retire immediately, for fear of doing an unbecoming thing. He was befides, very courteous and obliging, he would very often difcourse with his Landlady, especially when she lay in, and with the people of the House, when they happen'd to be fick or afflicted; he never fail'd then to confort 'em, and exhort them to bear with Patience those Evils, which God affigned to them as a lot. He put the Children in mind of going often to Church, and taught them to be obedient and dutiful to their Parents. When the people of the House came from Church, he wou'd often ask them what they had learn'd, and what they cou'd remember of

the Sermon. He had a great esteem for Dr. Cordes, my Predeceffor; who was a learned and good natured Man, and of an exemplary Life, which gave occafion to Spinofa to praise him very often. Nay, he went fometimes to hear him preach, and he esteem'd particularly his learned way of explaining the Scripture, and the folid applications he made of it. He advised at the fame time his Landlord and the People of the House, not to miss any Sermon of fo excellent a Preacher.

It happen'd one day, that his Landlady ask'd him, whether he beleived, she cou'd be faved in the Religion she profest: He anfwered, Your Religion is a good one, you need not look for another, nor doubt that you may be saved in it, provided, whilft you apply your Self to Piety, you live at the same time a peaceable and quiet Life.

When he ftaid at home, he was troublefome to no Body; he spent the greatest part of his time quietly in his own Chamber.

When he happen'd to be tired by having applyed himself too much to his Philofophical Meditations, he went down Stairs to refresh himself, and difcourfed with the people of the House about any thing, that might afford Matter for an ordinary Conversation, and even about trifles. He alfo took Pleasure in fmoaking a Pipe of Tobacco; or, when he had a mind to divert himself somewhat longer, he look'd for fome Spiders, and made 'em fight together, or he threw fome Flies into the Cobweb, and was fo well pleased with that Battel, that he wou'd fometimes break into laughter. He obferved alfo, with a Microfcope, the different parts of the smallest Infects, from whence he drew fuch Confequences as feem'd to him to agree beft with his Discoveries.

He was no lover of Money, as I have said, and he was very well contented to live from Hand to Mouth. Simon de Vries of Amfterdam who expreffes a great love for him, in the 26th Letter, and calls him his most faithful