22 



some new Emblems being added by him, the first correct edition 

 was printed in the year 1534, by Chr. Wechell, at Paris, each 

 subject being illustrated by a beautiful wood engraving. They 

 were very soon translated and printed in the Italian, French, 

 German, and Spanish languages. Three Trench versions 

 made their appearance by different hands ; the best being that 

 of Bartholomew Agneau, a learned Frenchman, who, under 

 the auspices of Bouille, the well-known bookseller of Lyons, 

 arranged them for the first time under distinct heads. Ninety- 

 three additional Emblems having been supplied by the author, 

 and a new set of wood engravings by Solomon (le petit) 

 Bernard, a beautiful edition was issued a.d. 1548. In the 

 course of the following year Bouille published the French 

 translation and brief commentaries of Agneau.* No English 

 version has yet been published ; but an imperfect MS. version 

 is in the possession of the writer, from which an extract or two 

 shall be given. It appears to be of the time of James the 

 First. 



" In passing through above fifty editions, the Emblems of 

 Alciat have been very largely and learnedly commented upon 

 by several scholars of different countries, and have served as 

 the models for succeeding publications. In most of the edi- 

 tions the engravings are neatly executed upon wood, in some 

 instances upon copper. The following specimens will give an 

 idea of the author's style of writing. 



"'reciprocal services.' 



(" Engraving of a young Stork carrying its aged parent on its back J 



" ' With daily nurture, to her unfledg'd cares, 

 Lodg'd in their airy nest, the stork repairs ; 

 And they — when age unnerves the parent's wing — 

 Their aid in pious gratitude shall hring. 



* From the press of Rouille proceeded a Spanish version in the same year, and 

 in 1551 an Italiau one. A German translation of the first Emblems had been pub- 

 lished at Paris in 1542. See prefaces to these published also in Ale. Opera Medial, 

 1660. 



