PREFACE.

MANY of the best friends of classical education have long desired a manual of elementary instruction in Latin grammar, which lies at the foundation of a classical course, full and accurate enough to be a practical guide to the learner, but avoiding the prodigious multiplication of details, which have so overgrown that study in our ordinary school textbooks.

In attempting to meet this want, we have been guided by the following principles: —

1. To admit only what is likely to be really useful information to the learner, and nothing which he will be likely to look for in the dictionary first.

2. To avoid, as far as possible, all subtilties of theory and technicalities of phrase; and to illustrate every point, as it is stated, by examples in correct Latin, uniformly rendered into the corresponding English idiom.

3. To aid the eye, by the typography and arrangement of the page, so as to make it an easy manual of reference. Every Latin word we have used is printed

in a special type, cast expressly for this book, and is followed immediately (except in the section on Prosody), by its English equivalent, italicized. The quantities of roots and inflections are abundantly given throughout. In orthography, we have followed the most approved editions of the present day, adopting a few forms which may possibly be regarded as innovations, but varying less than some might desire from the past usage of our text-books.

In the classification and arrangement of paradigms we have expended a great deal of care. The classification of Nouns of the Third Declension, which is based partly on that of Key,- seems to us to have great advantages over that commonly adopted. The exhibition of the Verb-forms will be found not only a material help to the learner by its compactness, clearness, and easiness of reference; but to have the special benefit of keeping distinctly in view the point (which teachers so often fail to make familiar) that all irregularities, or peculiarities of conjugation, are confined to the forms from the first or Present stem, while the others follow one uniform model throughout.

This volume is not, in any sense, an abridgment or compilation from previous writers. Except in some details of Prosody, we have not been directly indebted to any of those in use in our schools. Our plan has grown from our own wants and experience; and the examples have been selected, in general, from our

own reading. Only in a few instances, where it seemed desirable for completeness, we have not hesitated to borrow them from other sources.

While we have omitted a great amount of matter which we think serves in many text-books merely to obscure to the learner the outlines of the language, it will be found that its leading forms and usages are very fully exhibited; at the same time much incidental illustration is given, not contained in any other school grammar within our knowledge. A book designed for reference, as a full treatise on etymology and syntax, very properly contains much material which would be out of place in a brief manual like the present. We do not believe that it is best for the learner to begin with as large a book as he may require afterwards; and besides, if principles are to be taught, and not dead rules, it is a clear advantage not to become wedded to any set form of words.

Two or three points seem to require brief explanation to teachers who have been in the habit of using the ordinary text-books.

First, the recognition of the Locative Case, which has been sometimes called the "Dative of Place." The fact we wish to recognize in the structure of the language is one which all grammarians admit; and to accept it will be to many persons a real relief from the old arbitrary and unintelligible rule.

In interpreting the Subjunctive, we have thought best to give it no separate translation in the paradigms.

To render it, as is often done, by the English Potential, is as misleading as any false step, so low down among the elements, can well be. We have accordingly illustrated its use, at the outset, by a score of select examples of Latin idiom; and trust in the Syntax to have made it as clear as is consistent with the brevity of our plan.

In simplifying the treatment of the Gerund and Gerundive, we have followed the best English authorities, from Milton's brief Latin "Accedence," to the works of Donaldson, Key, and D'Arcy Thompson. The phrase "Nominative of the Gerund," which we have employed, is easily understood; it suggests an explanation of the subject which many scholars prefer to that usually given; and it need not be taken as controverting the more common doctrine, that the form in question is the Neuter of the Future Passive Participle, used impersonally.

The Syntax of the Moods will be found relatively more full than other parts of the book; this we have thought warranted by the difficulty and peculiar obscurity of the subject. In general, we have not, as is usually done, treated the Subjunctive by itself; but have classified the usages in the different kinds of subordinate clauses, in nearly all of which either that or the Indicative may be employed in special relations. Here, as everywhere, we have derived constant assistance from Madvig's "Lateinische Sprachlehre," the best single treatise upon Latin grammar with

which we are acquainted: from this we have taken more special points than from all other sources combined. We are far from claiming an entirely satisfactory treatment of the Subjunctive, which indeed has never yet been adequately analyzed, and which is much more difficult in Latin than in Greek. Conditional Sentences, however, in which we have followed the doctrine of Goodwin's "Greek Moods and Tenses," we believe will be found nowhere more fully explained than here.

In the matter of Prosody, we have given enough to enable the student to analyze for himself, and to read easily into metre, all the forms of verse in Virgil, Ovid, Horace, and (excepting a few lyrical passages) in the Dramatic writers. For instruction in the difficult art of composition in Latin verse, - should that be thought desirable, or for exhibitions of quantity complete enough to be a sufficient guide in it, the learner must go to other sources.

In many points, both of etymology and syntax, we have availed ourselves of the counsel and guidance of Professor LANE, of Harvard University; who has greatly aided us by his care in examining the earlier proof-sheets, and by the suggestions of his very exact and thorough scholarship. In points of practical adaptation to the wants of classes, the long experience of our brother, Rev. T. P. ALLEN, of West Newton, Mass., has been a valuable guide. In the preparation of the Syntax, we are under especial obligation to Professor