nature, is much greater than is usually imagined; and I have been frequently encouraged to proceed, by recollecting the benefits which I formerly derived from casual notices scattered over the margin, or dropped at the bottom of a page. In this compilation, I proceeded on no regular plan, further than considering what, if I had been a mere English reader, I should wish to have had explained: it is therefore extremely probable, as every rule of this nature must be imperfect, that I have frequently erred; have spoken where I should be silent, and been prolix where I should be brief: on the whole, however, I chose to offend on the safer side; and to leave nothing unsaid, at the hazard of sometimes saying too much. Tedious, perhaps, I may be, but, I trust, not dull; and with this negative commendation I must be satisfied. The passages produced, are not always translated; but the English reader needs not for that be discouraged in proceeding, as he will frequently find sufficient in the context, to give him a general idea of the meaning. In many places I have copied the words, together with the sentiments, of the writer; for this, if it call for an apology, I shall take that of Macrobius, who had somewhat more occasion for it than I shall be found to have: Nec mihi vitio vertas, si res quas ex lectione varia mutuabor, ipsis sæpè verbis quibus ab ipsis auctoribus enarrata sunt explicabo, quia præsens opus non eloquentia ostentationem, sed noscendorum congeriem pollicetur, &c. Saturn. Lib. I. c. 1. I have now said all that occurs to me on this subject: a more pleasing one remains. I cannot, indeed, like Dryden, boast of my poetical coadjutors. No Congreves and Creeches have abridged, while they adorned, my labours; yet have I not been without assistance, and of the most valuable kind. Whoever is acquainted with the habits of intimacy in which I have lived from early youth, with the Rev. Dr. Ireland, will not want to be informed of his share in the following pages. To those who are not, it is proper to say, that besides the passages in which he is introduced by name, every other part of the work has been submitted to his inspection. Nor would his affectionate anxiety for the reputation of his friend suffer any part of the translation to appear, without undergoing the strictest revision. His uncommon accuracy, judgment, and learning, have been uniformly exerted on it, not less, I am confident, to the advantage of the reader, than to my own satisfaction. It will be seen that we sometimes differ in opinion; but as I usually distrust my own judgment in those cases, the decision is submitted to the reader. I have also to express my obligations to Abraham Moore, Esq. Barrister at law, a gentleman whose taste and learning are well known to be only surpassed by his readiness to oblige: of which I have the most convincing proofs; since the hours dedicated to the following sheets, (which * Prebendary of Westminster, and Vicar of Croydon, in Surry. I lament that he only saw in their progress through the press,) were snatched from avocations as urgent as they were important. Nor must I overlook the friendly assistance of William Porden, Esq. * which, like that of the former gentleman, was given to me, amidst the distraction of more immediate concerns, with a readiness that enhanced the worth of what was, in itself, highly valuable. A paper was put into my hand by Mr. George Nicol, the promoter of every literary work, from R. P. Knight, Esq. containing subjects for engravings illustrative of Juvenal, and, with singular generosity, offering me the use of his marbles, gems, &c. As these did not fall within my plan, I can only here return him my thanks for a kindness as extraordinary as it was unexpected. But I have other and greater obligations to Mr. Nicol. In conjunction with Mr. William Nicol, he has watched the progress of this work through the press with unwearied solicitude. During my occasional absences from town, the correction of it (for which, indeed the state of my eyes renders me at all times rather unfit) rested almost solely on him; and it is but justice to add, that his habitual accuracy in this ungrateful employ is not the only quality to which I am bound to confess my obligations. The architect of Eton Hall, Cheshire, a structure which even now stands pre-eminent among the works which embellish the nation, and which future times will contemplate with equal wonder and delight. |