THIS book is an attempt to recount the history of Greek literature, not so much to classical students as to those who have no direct knowledge of the subject. Albert Wolff's "Pantheon des Classischen Alterthums" (Berlin: Hempel, 1881), a volume of the excellent series of the " Classiker aller Zeiten und Nationen," has served as a model.
Among many things which doubtless demand apology is the reference (p. 442) to Windisch's interesting hypothesis on the influence of the New Comedy upon the Sanskrit drama, which is spoken of as if it were a fact. Prof. L. von Schroeder, in his interesting "Indiens Literatur und Cultur in historischer Entwicklung" (Leipzig, 1887), has shown that the hypothesis is untenable.
It has been thought undesirable to mention all the authorities used; the "general reader" does not care for, and the scholar does not need, the frequent footnote in a book of this sort.
The author tenders his warmest thanks to Mr. A. P. C. Griffin, of the Boston Public Library, who, with the utmost kindness, saw about four-fifths of the book through the press, during the author's absence from the country; to Mr. Louis Dyer for many valuable suggestions and much good counsel, as well as for permission to use his manuscript translations of Euripides; to Mr. J. G. Croswell for kind aid; and to the many writers who allowed him to make use of their published translations in this book. He, moreover, desires to express his indebtedness to Mr. E. E. Treffry, of New York, who read the proofs, not only with untiring patience, but also with friendly zeal.
312, MARLBOROUGH STREET, BOSTON,