CATS, JACOB, a very eminent Dutch poet, whose writings were for a long period far more popular than those of any of their authors among his countrymen, was born at Brouwershaven, in Zealand, November 10th, 1577. His mother dying while he was very young, and his father marrying again, be was taken in charge by a maternal uncle, who spared no coat on his education ; but his progress in his earlier studies was far from great. At Leyden he went through a course of jurisprudence, and made some proficiency in Greek. On quitting Leyden, he proceeded to Orhlans, where be took the degree of Doctor of Laws ; add he remained some time in France, both in order to perfect himself in•the language and to enjoy the lively society into which he was introduced there. On his return home, he first practised as advocate hi Brouwershaven, where be soon obtained considerable repute in his profession. Being attacked however by an obstinate tertian fever, he was advised to try the effects of travelling and change of air, on which he visited England, but reaped no other advantage — —from his journey than an acquaintance with the language, and what he derived from the studies he punned at both Oxford and Cambridge. At Immesh. after baring in vain sought relief from all the medical mon whom he consulted, he recovered his health by means of R powder given him by an ohsd alchemist. lie now removed to Middlebnrg, where he married a lady named Valkenburg, by whom he had five children. It was during this part of his life—the one which he after wards, amid the toils and dignities of *Mos, acknowledged to have bun by far the most enviable portion of it—that he produced his ' Emblems' an 1 'Spiegel van den Ouden en Nienwen TO.' But the war which broke out in 1621 compelled him to quit Middleburg and go to monde at the Hague. After being made pensionary of Dordrecht, in he was deepatehed on an embassy to England In :627, when be was knighted by Charles I. About nine years later he was elevated to the dignity of pensionary of Holland, which he retained till 1651, and in the fallowing year again came over to England on an embassy to Cromwell, although be would fain have excused himself from the honour, and was ultimately obliged to return without having effected any of the objects of his mission. This was the close of his public life; and be was now permitted to enjoy, in his rural retreat at Zorg rile, near the Hague, that tranquillity and leisure after which ho had long sighed. It was here that, at an age exceeding threescore and
ten by emend year*. he resumed his literary and poetical pursuits, and composed his 'lluitenleven' (' Country Life and numerous other productions, constituting the principal bulk of his works. Thus use fully, as well as innocently employed, he continued to enjoy life, while be looked forward to death without apprehension, till he expired calmly, September 12th, 1660, shortly before he completed his eighty third year.
Cata's popularity with hie countrymen was for a long period greater than that of any other of their poets; and by them he is even now familiarly yet affectionately styled Vader Cats. His popularity was derived from other merits than usually accompany more brilliant genius. His works may be regarded u a fund-of moral instruction for all ranks and ages, and u a vast store-house of didactic precepts and examples applicable to aimed all the varying circumstances of life. Ills mum never takes any elevated flights; on the contrary, his poetical style, always plain and familiar, occasionally borders on the homely and colloquial; but most of his poems being in the form of dialogue, ouch a style is not only excusable but appropriate, nor does it over sink into the mean and vulgar. It I. for the most part marked by a axle/eel of thought and expression, and by a simplicity, which are becoming and agreeable enough. Ile frequently exhibits however striking originality and felicity of Ideas. Like his diction, hie versi Scene° is easy though rather monotonous, and appears to have flowed from his pen without effort ; and he certainly did much towards refining and improving his native tongue, imparting to it greater freedom and pliancy. But with him manner was only secondary and eubeidiery to wetter; his aim was not so much to shine as to instruct; and it is in the character of a moral teacher that he Is chiefly to be viewed. His lemons are those of practical wisdom and virtue, appli cable to the daily concerns of life. He addressed himself to the many, and there can be no doubt that his works have been largely influential for good, and all the better calculated to attain their end by combining entermilunent with moral instruction. At the same time he Is not exempt from the charge of prolixity and excess. At the present day both his language and manner have become somewhat antiquated; and accordingly he is now more praised than read.