KOMENSKt IN SWEDEN

269

with him, declined the offer. In September 1642 Komensk;^ arrived in Sweden, had an interview with De Geers, and afterwards at Stockholm met the Chancellor Oxenstiern. Komensky has left a detailed and very interesting account of the latter interview, from which want of space unfortunately prevents my quoting. Komensky, of course, laid great stress on his visionary " views and on his " pansophic — philosophical one can hardly call them — writings. The great Chancellor, on the other hand, warmly praised Komensky's educational works, and suggested, as De Geers had already done, that he should write a series of Latin schoolbooks for the use of the Swedish schools. With characteristic tact, Oxenstiern remarked that if he facilitated the study of the Latin language, Komensky would prepare the way to further more profound studies. As Komensky refused to remain in Sweden, it was decided that he should settle at Elbing, in Prussia, not very far from Sweden.

negotiated

Komensk];^

spent

six

years (1642-1648) at Elbing, the preparation of the school-

occupied partly with books he had been commissioned to write, partly with His life here, as his favourite "pansophic" studies. almost everywhere, was a troubled one. The agents of the Swedish Government urged him, in a manner that was not always delicate, to proceed with the task he had accepted and not to waste his time on works of On the other hand, Hartlib, with a different nature. the characteristic inability of a rich man to understand that others have to work for their living, bitterly reproached Komensky with having abandoned the sublime works that had been planned in London for the purpose of writing school-books.