, and more generally known by these last names, was born at the Hague
, and more generally
known by these last names, was born at the Hague in 1511,
and received the first impressions of virtue and knowledge
from his father. On what account our author, as he was
not the second son, was called Secundus, is not known.
Perhaps the name was not given him till he became eminent, and was in poetry nemini sccundus. Poetry, however, was not the profession which his father wished him
to follow. He intended him for the law, and when he
could no longer direct his studies himself, placed him under
the care of Jacobus Valcardus, or Volcardus. This gentleman, the author of a treatise “de usu eloquentix in
obeundis muncribus publicis,
” is said to hare been every
way qualified to discharge the important trust that was
committed to him; and he certainly gained the affection
of his pupil, who, in one of his poems, mentions his death
with every appearance of unfeigned sorrow. Another tutor, Stenemola of Mechlin, was soon provided, but it does
not appear that Secundus devoted much of his time to
legal pursuits. Poetry, and the sister arts of painting and
sculpture, had engaged his mind at a very early period. He
is said to have written verses when but ten years old; and
from the vast quantity which he left behind him, we have
reason to conclude that such writing was his principal employment.