LATIN GRAMMAR FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND PRIVATE STUDENTS. Nihil ex grammatica nocuerit nisi quod supervacuum est; neque LONDON: 1871. 305. f. 26. PREFACE. THE PUBLIC SCHOOL LATIN GRAMMAR is simply a development of the Primer, in conformity with the design of those, who, after accepting the latter book, entrusted to the same Editor the preparation of the former. The difference between the elementary compendium and the higher work is such as might be justly expected. Whilst the general principles and many of the paradigms are in both the same, in the Grammar the subject-matter is arranged more systematically, the body of examples very much increased, the illustration wider, and a large amount of information is added, which in the Primer does not appear at all. Yet a Grammar of this size does not profess to be an exhaustive treatise on its subject. Competent and careful students, who combine its use with the reading of authors and the practice of composition, so as to master its contents, ought indeed to become Latin scholars of considerable width and power; but they will still find much to learn in the field of Latin, which must be gathered from special monographies by eminent scholars, some of whom are occasionally cited in the following pages. At the present time, when the science of Comparative Philology has made such advance, that good living scholars know more of the history and organism of the Latin language than was known to Quintilian and the old grammarians, the publication of a Higher Latin Grammar, without reference to the facts and principles of that science, would be a retrogressive and senseless act. It must, however, be remembered that the chief end and aim of a Classical Latin Grammar is, to impress upon the minds of students the forms and constructions found in classical authors. Its office, therefore, is to use Comparative Philology as a guide and auxiliary in teaching Latin, not to teach Comparative Philology itself through the medium of Latin. This principle has been kept in view by the Editor throughout his work. The just mean is always hard to observe; but he may venture to say that he has not strayed from it wilfully. In the Appendix, indeed, he has thought it not inexpedient to cite some of the most important affinities between Latin and other Aryan languages and dialects; but only with a view to point the path of future study, not to furnish the student with a sufficient knowledge of the several subjects there noticed. A work of this kind, however carefully prepared, can hardly escape some errors of commission or omission. Should any such occur to those who use it, the Editor will gratefully receive notification of them sent through the publishers. LONDON: |