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Notes and Queries, Number 185, May 14, 1853

Various
Notes and Queries, Number 185, May 14, 1853 / A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc

Notes

ENGLISH BOOKS OF EMBLEMS

It is a remarkable circumstance that whilst the emblems of Alciatus Vent through almost innumerable editions, and were translated into most of the continental languages, no version of these Emblems should ever have been printed in this country, although we believe that MS. translations of them are in existence. It is remarkable also that more than half century should have elapsed after their appearance, before any English publication on this subject should have been committed to the press. Our English authors of Books of Emblems were not only late in their appearance, but are few in number, and in their embellishments not very original, the plates being for the most part mere copies of those already published abroad by Herman Hugo, Rollenhagius, and others. The notices of the English writers on this entertaining subject are also but meagre and imperfect, and restricted to a very few works; both Dibdin, in his slight and rapid sketch on Books of Emblems in the Bibliogr. Decam., vol. i. p. 254., and the writer in the Retrosp. Rev., vol. ix. p. 123., having confined their remarks to some one or two of the leading writers only, Arwaker, Peacham, Quarles, Whitney, and Wither. With the exception of an occasional article in the Bibl. Ang. Poet., Cens. Liter. Restituta, and similar bibliographical volumes, we are not aware that any other notice has been taken of this particular branch of our literature¹, nor does there exist, that we know of, any complete, separate, and distinct catalogue of such works.

Being anxious, therefore, to obtain a correct account of what may be termed the English Series of Books of Emblems, I inclose a list of all those in my own possession, and of the titles of such others as I have been able to collect; and I shall be glad if any of your readers can make any additions to the series, confining them at the same time strictly to Books of Emblems, and not admitting fables, heraldic works, or older publications not coming within the same category. A good comprehensive work on this subject of Books of Emblems, not confined merely to the English series, but embracing the whole foreign range, giving an account both of the writers of the verses, and also of the engravers, and the different styles of art in each, is still a great desideratum in our literary history; and if ably and artistically done, with suitable illustrations of the various engravings and other ornaments, would form a very interesting, instructive, and entertaining volume; and I sincerely hope that the time will not be far distant when such a volume will be found in our libraries.

I conclude with a Query of inquiry, whether anything is known of the present resting-place of a Treatise on Emblems, which the late Mr. Beloe informs us, at the close of his Literary Anecdotes, vol. vi. p. 406., he had written at "considerable length," from communications furnished him by the Marquis of Blandford, whose collection of Emblems was at that time one of the richest and most extensive in the kingdom, and whose treatise, if published, might perhaps prove a valuable addition to our information on this portion of our literature.

I would also inquire who was Thomas Combe, and what did he write, who is thus mentioned by Meres in his Palladis Tamia: Wits Treasury, Lond. 1598, 8vo., as one of our English writers of Emblems: "As the Latines have those emblematists, Andreas Alciatus, Reusnerus, and Sambucus, so we have these, Geffrey Whitney, Andrew Willet, and Thomas Combe." Is anything known of the latter, or of his writings?

Thomas Corser.

Stand Rectory.

List of English Writers of Books of Emblems

A. (H.) Parthenia Sacra, of the Mysterious and Delicious Garden of the Sacred Parthenis: Symbolically set forth and enriched with Pious Devises and Emblems for the entertainment of devout Soules, &c. By H. A. Plates. 8vo. Printed by John Cousturier, 1633.

Abricht (John A. M.). Divine Emblems. Embellished with Etchings of Copper after the fashion of Master Francis Quarles. 12mo. Lond. 1838.

Arwaker (Edmund). Pia Desideria, or Divine Addresses in Three Books. With 47 Copper Plates by Sturt. 8vo. Lond. 1686.

Ashrea: or the Grove of Beatitudes. Represented in Emblemes: and by the Art of Memory to be read on our Blessed Saviour Crucified, &c. 12mo. Lond. 1665.