ELEGIAC EXTRACTS FROM TIBULLUS AND OVID: WITH ENGLISH INTRODUCTIONS AND NOTES. BY WILLIAM RAMSAY, M.A., Of Trinity College, Cambridge, PROFESSOR OF HUMANITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW. GLASGOW: JOHN SMITH & SON. EDINBURGH: WILLIAM BLACKWOOD & SON. LONDON: D. NUTT, 158, FLEET STREET. MDCCCXL. TO ARCHIBALD ALISON, ESQ., Sheriff of Lanarkshire, AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, &c., &c., &c. DEAR MR. ALISON, I AM very glad to have opportunity of expressing the respect and admiration which I entertain for one who, amid the able and zealous discharge of most important and arduous professional duties, has had the courage to undertake and the power to complete a great historical work, and still finds time to devote not a few hours to those classical pursuits, the value of which he so well knows how to appreciate. PREFACE. My object in drawing up the commentary attached to the following extracts from Tibullus and Ovid, has been to lighten the labour of the classical instructor, and at the same time to render the progress of the pupil more rapid and satisfactory. All the information contained might undoubtedly be communicated orally, but by adhering to this method exclusively, especially in conveying the knowledge of simple facts, I have found by experience that much time is consumed which might be more profitably employed. Mere references, to even the most common books, are very generally neglected, especially by young readers. In most cases, therefore, where the Latin authors could supply passages bearing directly upon any question which it was desirable to illustrate, these have been quoted at full length, and will themselves form useful exercises for the student. At the same time, the authorities for important statements are given at the bottom of each page, in order that all who have time, opportunity, and inclination may be enabled to examine every point thoroughly and verify every assertion. A few dissertations have been interspersed here and there among the shorter notes, These are for the most part upon matters which are Imperfectly explained in ordinary works, or where the desired results could be arrived at only by searching into and comparing a number of different treatises. Such are the disquisitions on the Lares and Penates (p. 135,) on the Lower World (p. 154,) on the Genius (p. 170,) |