The art of making devises treating of hieroglyphicks, symboles, emblemes, ænigma's, sentences, parables, reverses of medalls, armes, blazons, cimiers, cyphres and rebus / first written in French by Henry Estienne ... ; translated into English by Tho. Blount ...

THE AUTHORS PREFACE.

RUscelli (an Italian Author) saith, that it belongeth onely to the most ex∣cellent wits and best refined Iudg∣ments to undertake the making of Devises, and that it is a quality which hath been sought and desired by many, but very few have been able to put it in execution. Paulus Jovius (one of the choicest wits of his time, and the first that enriched us with this Art) confesseth ingenu∣ously, that of himselfe he could never make any one whereof he could be entirely satisfyed. Johannes Andreas Palazzi inferrs from thence, that if it be a difficult matter to frame a Devise, compleated with all its properties, That à Fortiori it is a hard thing to prescribe precepts, and score out the Way to attaine to that perfection. As for my selfe I confesse freely, that being moved unto and instructed by my late Vncle Ro∣bert Estienne in making Devises, eight and twenty yeares agoe, I made a greater quantity then and found it a lesse labor, then now, that I know the excellency and

subtility of the Art; wherein verily I have taken so great delight, that the exercise of Arms, could never divert me from so noble an employment, which hath alwaies been to me a well-pleasing recreation amidst the fa∣tigues of war. And as I endeavoured (as neer as possi∣ble) to attaine to the perfection of this Art, I applied my selfe (with equall care) to read the Greek, Latine, Italian, and French Authors, who have treated of Hieroglyphicks, Symboles, Emblemes, Aenig∣maes, Armories, Cimiers, Blazons, Reverses of Medalls, Devises, and such like inventions of Wit, which have some relation to each other, I distinguished them the one from the other, for my own particular use; and collected thence all that seemed most notable unto me. At length being sollicited by my friends (who had a great opinion of my ability for these Essaies,) I have adventured to publish this little Tractate, devoid of all graces and embellishments, contenting my selfe onely to discover to others the light which I could receive from famous Authors; To the end that those who have lesse experience herein then my selfe, may reap some profit thence. And that I may excite some better Genius (wherewith this age is much more em iched then the pre∣cedent) to improve my design and supply my defects; From such I hope happily to gaine some favour (though otherwise my labours succeed not, according to my aime)

since I am the first that hath treated of this subject in our mother tongue. In a word, there's no beginning, but is difficult, nor is there any Pesant (though never so simple) that merits not some kind of recompence; in having been a guide and shewed the way to a great num∣ber of Captaines, who following it, have atcheived their noble designes.

I am then resolved to entreat of Hieroglyphicks, Symboles, and reverses of Medalls, of the Anci∣ents (and of those but summarily, because many have already beaten the same Tract) since most Writers draw the origin of them from our Devises; Nor will I lose the opportunity to say something of Aenigma's, Emblemes, Gryphes, and Parables, As also of Armes, Cimiers, Blazons, Cyphers, and Re∣bus, which the un-knowing confound with Devises, according to the necessity of the discourse, which shall oblige us to unfold their differences. We shall observe the definition and Etimologie of Devises, their origin and antiquity, their utility and finall end. We shall (to render them perfect) recite the rules of their bodies, which some call figures, and of their Mottoes which are term'd Soules and words, with the relation they have each to other, the places from whence they ought to be drawne, and generally all that is to be observed in bring∣ing a Devise to perfection; yet Without undertaking to

establish such inviolable Rules, either by my owne par∣ticular opinion, or in the name of the Italians, but that I will submit my Iudgment to the more learned in this Art. Nor will it be held reasonable that we altogether subject our selves to the Italian Laws in this occurrence of so small concernment, since in all things else they are accustomed to receive Law from our Armes.

Henry Estienne S^t des Fossez.

A PARIS, Achevé d'imprimer pour la premiere fois le 10. Mars, 1645.