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WISDOM IS BETTER THAN RUBIES:
Introduction.
D. JACOB CATS, the eminent Dutch Jurisconsult, Statesman, and Poet, was born
at Brouwershaven in the Isle of Schouwen, province of Zeeland, on the loth
November, 1577. His father was a counsellor of some standing ; and his son Jacob
was first destined to the profession of the law. Having completed his course of philosophy,
he proceeded to the University of Leyden, to study jurisprudence. From
thence he went to France, and was some time at the University of Orleans, where
he took the degree of Doctor of Laws. He subsequently went to Paris, and was
Q very desirous to visit Italy ; but his family opposed his going thither, and he was
JJj
obliged to return to Holland. Arrived at the Hague, he applied himself wholly to
jurisprudence, and was assiduous in his attendance at the Public Pleadings of the
most distinguished lawyers. To perfect himself still more in his profession, he put
himself under the direction of the jurisconsult, Cornelius Van der Pol, one of the
most eminent pleaders of the Dutch Bar. Some time afterwards, Cats practised with
distinction at Zieuwreckzee, and at Brouwershaven. At this period it would seem he
applied himself no less assiduously to Poetry, and not only became distinguished
among the literati of Holland for the purity and elegance of his Latin verses, but
soon took rank as one of her first lyrists in his native tongue. Falling seriously
0) ill of an hectic fever, induced by over-application to study, he was advised by his
physicians to seek a change of air.
Hereupon he repaired to England, and visited the Universities of Cambridge
2 and Oxford. When in London he consulted the then celebrated physician, Dr.
Butter, on the subject of the obstinate fever which still afflicted him; but that
physician was not more fortunate in his prescriptions than those of Holland. Upon
his return to his native country, he was eventually cured, says his biographer, Moreri,
by an old alchemyst.
Distinguishing himself by his legislatorial and statesmanlike qualifications, no
Q less than he had done by his poetic genius, Jacob Cats rose subsequently to high
Official rank, and for several years filled the post of State Pensionary and Chief
Magistrate of Middleburgh and Dordrecht. He was eventually promoted to the
rank of State Counsellor and Grand Pensionary of the province of West Friesland, and
0) made Keeper of the Great Seal of Holland. After filling these important Offices for
eighteen years, having now attained the age of seventy-two, he requested permission
to retire into private life ; which was at length granted by the States. His valuable
Z services were, nevertheless, once more required, and he was solicited to form a
member of the Embassy sent at that time to England, to arrange a treaty of com-
merce between the two countries. After discharging the important duties therein
delegated to him, he retired wholly into private life, and devoted himself with
faculties still unimpaired to the Muses, up to the advanced age of eighty-three years,
when he may be said to have expired with the pen
in his hand. Few men have left
behind them greater proofs of indefatigable industry than Jacob Cats ; and his
numerous lyrical works are as rich in poetic genius as they are replete with evidence
of world-knowledge and genial with the love of mankind.
ITS FRUIT IS BETTER THAN GOLD.