Amazon.com description: Product Description: Begun in 1535 and published in 1540, "Le Theatre des bons engins" is believed to be the first book written in any language (including Latin) in imitation of Alciati's pioneering work. It is also an important early French emblem book. It ran through several editions and was translated into both English and Dutch. Published in Paris by a printer specializing in illustrated popular literature, it uses the emblematic form to express a series of easily understandable moral lessons and reflections on social practices. Several years later, in 1553, La Perriere's second emblem book, the "Morosophie", appeared, printed in Lyon rather than in Paris, and targetting quite a different audience with its bilingual Latin/French text. More erudite, succinct and allusive than its predecessor, it reflects a much greater preoccupation with wit and ingenuity, but in its essentially moralizing character, it remains unchanged.