INTO LATIN PROSE. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY H. NETTLESHIP, M. A., CORPUS PROFESSOR OF LATIN IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1887. PREFACE. THIS little book consists of two parts, an Introduction, and a selection of passages for translation. The Introduction deals (1) with political and social ideas as expressed in Latin, (2) with the range of metaphor known to Latin writers, (3) with the historical development of Latin prose style. It is intended to meet, to some small extent, the wants of such students of Latin as may be supposed to have mastered the ordinary laws of syntax and prose structure, and to have gained a fair command of the Latin vocabulary; but who desire some guidance to a more accurate knowledge of Latin expression in its higher ranges, and to a rational appreciation of Latin style. Having, for the last five or six years, made a point of lecturing on Latin Prose composition in Oxford, I have found that hints of the kind. offered in the Introduction have constantly been required, even by good scholars. I say hints, because the scope of the volume precludes my attempting anything more. But I am not without hope that the suggestions made may open up new points of view not only to students of Latin style, but to students of Latin antiquity generally. Words mean things, and the study of words is the natural introduction to that knowledge of ancient life, social and political, which it is the object of the scholar |