THE CAPTEIVEI OF PLAUTUS. 93 



IVie Capieivei of Plautus ; With an hitroductioii and Notes^ by 

 W> M. Reynolds, A. M, Prof, of the Latin Language, ^c. 

 Pennsytvania College, Gettysburg, Pa. 



We hail with delight the multiplication of books designed to facili- 

 tate the study of ihe Classics, and to increase the appreciation of their 

 value among us. We are glad to perceive, in the department of classi- 

 cal education in this country, many signs of encouragement. Within 

 the last few years editions of the Classics have appeared from the Amer- 

 ican press, which have done honor to the scholarship of our land, 

 whose merits have been acknowledged in other lands. We are satis- 

 fied that after all the new methods of education shall have been tried, 

 we shall at last return to the conviction, that nothing is so eflcctive in 

 disciplining, refining, and elevating the mind, as those often neglected and 

 much abused classical studies. • 



It is with much pleasure that we direct the attention of our readers 

 to the volume whose title-page has been given. The Editor brings to 

 the work reputation as a linguist, and experience as an instructor. Much 

 is, therefore, naturally expected, but confident are we, that these expec- 

 tations are met. The book is just of the character the pupil needs. 

 Practical knowledge of his wants, acquired by long experience, has en- 

 abled the Professor to furnish the kind of assistance required, to supply 

 the right word of explanation at the right place, without producing con- 

 fusion by too much, or obscurity by loo little. The notes seem to have 

 been prepared with much care, and are just what notes should be — 

 brief, comprehensive, and judicious ; a guide, sufficiently illustrative of 

 the text, without encumbering with help: they stiikeusas realizing the 

 true idea of classical editorship. Voluminous comments are not only use- 

 less to the student, but they prove an actual injury to the cause of classi- 

 cal literature. The interest of the pupil should be elicited, and his in- 

 dustry directed, rather than superseded. Instead of solving difficulties 

 for him, he should be put in the way of finding the solution himself. He 

 should be left to exercise his own judgment in translation, and be obliged 

 to have frequent recourse to the Grammar and Lexicon, rather than be 

 relieved by a commentary on almost every line. In short, care should 

 be taken, that the way is not made too easy, that the student be not 

 bribed into habits of intellectual sloth, and the very object of studying 

 the classics defeated. 



The introduction on the Life and Writings of Plautus is quite in- 

 teresting, furnishing the student with a condensed account of this most 

 popular dramatic writer that Rome ever possessed. The essay on 



