Introduction -- 'A learned and eloquent piety' -- An education in propriety, 6061-8161 -- The apprenticeship with Beeckman, 8161-9161 -- The search for method, 9161-5261 -- The Paris years, 5261-8261 -- A new beginning, 9261-0361 -- A new system of the world, 0361-3361 -- The years of consolidation, 4361-0461 -- The defence of natural philosophy, 0461-4461, Melancholia and the passions, 3461-0561 -- Notes