THEODORE VAN, a very extra- ordinary person, was a native of Amsterdam, where he was born in 1522. It appears, that early in life he travelled into Spain and Portugal; but the motives of his journey are not ascertained. He was a man of science, and according to report, a good poet. The sister arts at first he considered as an amusement only; but in the end he was, it seems, obliged to have re- course to engraving alone for his support. And though the different studies in which he employed his time prevented his attachment to his profession being so close as it ought to have been, yet at least the marks of genius are discoverable in his works. They are slight, and hastily executed with the graver alone; but in an open careless style, so as greatly to resemble de- signs made with a pen. He was established at Haer- lem; and there pursuing his favourite studies in litera- ture, he learned Latin, and was made secretary to that town, from whence he was sent several times as ambas- sador to the prince of Orange, to whom he address- ed a famous manifesto, which that prince published in 1566. Had he stopped here, it had been well; but directing his thoughts into a different channel, he undertook an argument as dangerous as it was absurd. He maintained, that all religious communions were corrupted; and that, without a supernatural mission, accompanied with miracles, no person had a right to administer in any religious office: he therefore pro- nounced that man to be unworthy the name of a Christian who would enter any place of public wor- ship. This he not only advanced in words, but strove to show the sincerity of his belief by practice; and for that reason would not communicate with either Pro- testant or Papist. His works were published in three volumes folio in 1630; and though he was several times imprisoned, and at last sentenced to banishment, yet he does not appear to have altered his sentiments. He died at Dergoude in 1590, aged 68 years. It is no small addition to the honour of this singular man, that he was the instructor of that justly celebrated artist Henry Goltzius. Cuerenbert worked jointly with the Galles and other artists, from the designs of Mar- tin Henskerck. The subjects are from the Old and New Testament, and consist chiefly of middling-sized plates lengthwise. He also engraved several subjects from Franc. Floris.