THE LIFE OF HUYGENS.

A decorative initial letter C featuring floral and scrollwork patterns.Christiaan Huygens was born in The Hague, Holland, on April 14, 1629. His father was Constantijn Huygens, a knight, lord of Zuilichem, Zeelhem, and Monnikenland, who served as secretary and advisor to three Princes of Orange. His mother was Susanna van Baerle.

He spent his entire life in mathematical studies, not merely dedicated to theory, but by applying the most subtle aspects of these disciplines to the uses of life. From his very infancy, he applied his mind to this study; when he was barely nine years old, under the guidance of his father, he made wonderful and almost incredible progress in music, arithmetic, and geography, while simultaneously applying his mind to Latin and Greek literature.

In his thirteenth year, he demonstrated how suited his genius was for the study of mechanics—which he later cultivated with such great benefit to humanity—by examining machines and, as far as a child was allowed, imitating them.

In the year 1644, he began the study of mathematics and had the Dutch mathematician Stampioen as his tutor.

The following year, he headed to the academy that is in Leiden among the Dutch. There, he listened to Vinnius explaining civil law, and with Master Schooten he continued his study