Jacob Cats Emblems.

Johannis de Brunes I. C. Emblemata of Sinne-Werck, Amsterdam, 1624, is written in Dutch. Emblem VIII., contains an indication that the number 1623 is a key.

The Silenus Alcibiades sive Proteus was published at Middleburgh in 1618. There is no author’s name on the title-page, but the Voor-reden, written in Dutch, is signed J. Cats

Attached to two of the preliminary complimentary verses are the names of Daniel Heyns and Josuah Sylvester, the translator of Du Bartas.

The verses are in Latin, Dutch, and French. Immediately following the title-page is a preface in Latin, signed by Majores de Baptis.

Over this is the familiar emblem containing the archers, rabbits, and dogs, with the note of query on the right-hand side, and the message on the arrow.

This volume is one of the most remarkable of the emblem books. The Latin preface is autobiographical. If the writer can be identified as the author of Venus and Adonis, it becomes one of the most important contributions to his biography.

W.L. Goldsworthy ~ Prof. Nichol

Unfortunately, after further research and according to the British Library authorities, no such letter in Bacon’s hand formed in a pyramid has been recorded or registered in the library archives.

Bacon’s own image of Knowledge as a Pyramid and with Emblems, Francis Bacon had a very close connection.

Jacob Cats' Biography

The poetic genius of a Jacob Cats found, in the pencils of Jan and Adrian Van De Venne, and the burins of Matham, Pet de Jode, Verstralen, Van Bremden, and others, artistic exponents worthy of his muse, and equal to his most ardent desires.

Dr Jacob Cats, the eminent Dutch Jurisconsult, Statesman, and Poet, was born at Brouwershaven in the Isle of Schouwen, province of Zeeland, on the 10th November, 1577.

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