Preface
Those teachers of Latin who are content with the existing provision will resent the appearance of a fresh reader : those who are dissatisfied may perhaps read these few words of explanation.
The main part of the work consists of Latin stories, taken partly from more or less well-known Latin authors, partly from a great variety of other sources. An attempt has been made to gather compact and intelligible stories, the subjects of which may be expected to interest the average schoolboy. These stories are intended for the ordinary reading of boys not yet sufficiently far advanced to read Latin authors continuously; they conclude with some pieces taken directly from the authors which will naturally form the next stage; otherwise all the stories are of much the same difficulty.
To the main part of the book have been prefixed a few introductory stories taken from Eutropius and the well-known German schoolbooks; and an appendix has been placed at the end (for which no vocabulary is provided) consisting of a selection from the dialogues of Erasmus. It is suggested that they should be used for unseen translation either viva voce or on paper, and it is hoped that they may be of value in bringing before the minds of those who use them the language as a living vehicle of thought: the facility of expression and sprightliness of manner will compensate for the slight deviations from strictly classical style.
In conclusion, the author would wish to thank many kind friends for their help and criticism: if the book has any merit in spite of its faults, he would like to refer to the apologue of Saadi with regard to the scented clay: 'I was indeed a despicable piece of earth; but I was some time in the company of the rose, and the quality of my sweet companion was communicated to me.' Any fragrance, therefore, which may be detected, must be set down to the company of ancient authors and kind friends: for the faults the author is entirely responsible.
Sept. 1888
The main part of the work consists of Latin stories, taken partly from more or less well-known Latin authors, partly from a great variety of other sources. An attempt has been made to gather compact and intelligible stories, the subjects of which may be expected to interest the average schoolboy. These stories are intended for the ordinary reading of boys not yet sufficiently far advanced to read Latin authors continuously; they conclude with some pieces taken directly from the authors which will naturally form the next stage; otherwise all the stories are of much the same difficulty.
To the main part of the book have been prefixed a few introductory stories taken from Eutropius and the well-known German schoolbooks; and an appendix has been placed at the end (for which no vocabulary is provided) consisting of a selection from the dialogues of Erasmus. It is suggested that they should be used for unseen translation either viva voce or on paper, and it is hoped that they may be of value in bringing before the minds of those who use them the language as a living vehicle of thought: the facility of expression and sprightliness of manner will compensate for the slight deviations from strictly classical style.
In conclusion, the author would wish to thank many kind friends for their help and criticism: if the book has any merit in spite of its faults, he would like to refer to the apologue of Saadi with regard to the scented clay: 'I was indeed a despicable piece of earth; but I was some time in the company of the rose, and the quality of my sweet companion was communicated to me.' Any fragrance, therefore, which may be detected, must be set down to the company of ancient authors and kind friends: for the faults the author is entirely responsible.
Sept. 1888