PREFACE.

THE approbation with which the world has received my little Latin collection of select stories from the Old Testament, has determined me to present it with a second collection from profane authors, together with some of their moral precepts. My design has been, in both, to put into the hands of children, and others that begin to learn the Latin tongue, some little pieces, that might be easy to understand, and at the same time might improve their morals. No doubt can be made but that the Holy Scriptures afford us those advantages, which is the reason probably, that has induced so many masters, both in a publick and private character, to make their scholars read that collection.

That this might, as far as possible, merit the same esteem, I thought it incumbent on me not to lose sight of those two objects, clearness of thought and expression, and usefulness of matter. With respect to the former, I have been obliged, and especially in the first part, to retrench from the stories and maxims I borrowed, the thoughts which were subtile or obscure; to change sometimes expressions which were refined, and too far fetched for children, into others that were more simple; to shorten phrases which were too long and lastly, paying greater regard to plainness and facility than sound, to place the words in a more natural order; that manner of ranging them, which is so great a beauty to the Latin tongue, being a burden to all who first begin to translate the authors who have written in it. For this reason the reader will find all the words almost of the first chapters of this book placed according to their natural and common construction. When we teach children language, it is sufficient at first to teach them rules, and make them know words. The time will follow, when they must attend to elegance. It is not till after the foundations of an edifice have been well laid, that we employ our thoughts about the decorations of the apartments.

Echery, 6 fame 1935.

PREFACE.

THE approbation with which the world has received my little Latin collection of select stories from the Old Testament, has determined me to present it with a second collection from profane authors, together with some of their moral precepts. My design has been, in both, to put into the hands of children, and others that begin to learn the Latin tongue, some little pieces, that might be easy to understand, and at the same time might improve their morals. No doubt can be made but that the Holy Scriptures afford us those advantages, which is the reason probably, that has induced so many masters, both in a publick and private character, to make their scholars read that collection.

That this might, as far as possible, merit the same esteem, I thought it incumbent on me not to lose sight of those two objects, clearness of thought and expression. and usefulness of matter. With respect to the former, I have been obliged, and especially in the first part, to retrench from the stories and maxims I borrowed, the thoughts which were subtile or obscure; to change sometimes expressions which were refined, and too far fetched for children, into others that were more simple; to shorten phrases which were too long and lastly, paying greater regard to plainness and facility than sound, to place the words in a more natural order; that manner of ranging them, which is so great a beauty to the Latin tongue, being a burden to all who first begin to translate the authors who have written in it. For this reason the reader will find all the words almost of the first chapters of this book placed according to their natural and common construction. When we teach children language, it is sufficient at first to teach them rules, and make them know words. The time will follow, when they must attend to elegance. It is not till after the foundations of an edifice have been well laid, that we employ our thoughts about the decorations of the apartments.

The means I have taken to facilitate the understanding of the originals, have undoubtedly made them lose somewhat of their force and beauty but, I dare promise, enough of these is left to render them pleasing and profitable to children. And I thought it would be doing no injury to the intention of the illustrious dead, whose works are designed for posterity, if in favour of tender years, which are to be taught betimes to reap advan tage from the lessons they have set, and to apply the remedies (as one of them expresses it*) which they have prepared for all mankind, I diminished somewhat of their majesty and ornaments. These will disclose themselves to their young disciples in all their brightness, and in all their charms, as soon as they shall be capable of under. standing them.

With all the facility we have endeavoured to give this little piece, we may now and then have left in it places somewhat difficult to children. It is not therefore to be expected, that they who have but a slender knowledge of the first rudiments of the Latin tongue, should with ease understand it without the help of a master. It will be with this, as with the easiest classick authors, to understand which every one at first has need of an interpreter and guide. The advantage that it has above them, which yet we are far from intending to banish out of schools, is, that it unites, and places, as it were, in one point of view, a great number of maxims and examples, which may not only by their variety gain the attention of youth, but also contribute to the forming of their manners; the greatest advantage that can be drawn from reading Heathen authors.

We shall there see, that these Heathens, even in the midst of the darkness of idolatry, teach us, that the Providence of God is not only watchful over all men in general, but over every individual: That he knows our most secret thoughts and that it is he who inspires us with good ones, as well as condemns and punishes the evil that the true worship due to him consists in purity

• Posterorum negotium ago. Illis aliqua, quæ possint prodesse, conscribo. Salutares admonitiones, velut medicamentorum utilium compositions, literis mando. Senec. Erist. viii.