Locutor offendero.
To modern readers no apology is required. Such translations as those
now presented could come only out of long familiarity with the Latin
tradition and from wide and studious reading of Latin authors, and if
in some constructions, forms or spellings a certain degree of
indifference is manifested toward modifications which recent
investigations would make in long-accepted texts, this unwillingness
to change old ways is itself but one aspect of the long experience
which has so admirably qualified the translator for the task he has
assumed.
To many persons these matters will be of minor consequence. The
important fact is that many of those who can read these stories will
find after the first few pages that they are beginning to read with
pleasure, and will discover that in this way a foundation can be laid
for such a knowledge of the Latin language as will enable them not
merely to work through a classical text, but actually to read an
oration of Cicero or a book of Cæsar with some knowledge of the
writer’s meaning and style.
This volume is privately printed, but while the edition holds out,
copies may be purchased at the address given below. It is intended to
print other stories in this manner, the number of copies depending
upon the demand for the present volume.
E. Parmalee Prentice.