I'ln: lACE. 37 



description, and accurate knowledge ot" liis subject, to which 

 no transUition could do justice, but by as faithful an adherence 

 as the difterent idioms of different languages would allow. 

 Under this impression, I have spared no pains in rendering the 

 version with fidelity, deeming truth and perspicuity more 

 essential than embellishment of language. For it has been 

 well observed by Mr. Pope in his preface to the Iliad, that 

 " it is the first grand duty of an interpreter to give his author 

 entire and unmaimed," And again, " it is certain no literal 

 translation can be just to an excellent original in a superior 

 language : but it is a great mistake to imagine (as many have 

 done) that a rash paraphrase can make amends for this general 

 defect ; which is no less in danger to lose the spirit of an 

 ancient, by deviating into the modern manners of expression. 

 If there be sometimes a darkness, there is often a light in 

 antiquity, which nothing better preserves than a version 

 almost literal." 



If however this translation should be deemed too close and 

 literal, and greater freedom of language desired in a little 

 coursing manual ; I am willing to plead guilty to the fault. 

 Still if its style and manner can neither be defended nor ex- 

 cused on the grounds stated, I trust they will be pardoned, 

 because they are acknowledged. 



Sunt delicta tanien quibus ignovisse velimus. Horat. de Arte 



Poetic^, vs. 

 347. 



I am fully sensible that what I have done, might have been 

 done by others far better. For though an occasional wor- 

 shipper of the classic Minerva — " parens .... cultor et 

 infrequens. " I know that there are, under the tutelage of 

 Diana, many disciples who have been more richly endowed by 



