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3. He is instructed that his chief object must be to read and appreciate the language itself, and that the grammar will be useful mainly as it aids him in this work. An attempt is made to enable him to understand and enjoy the thought in the original, to see that Latin words are not mere equivalents for corresponding English words, but that they have a meaning of their own, that Latin nouns, for instance, are the actual names of real persons and things.

4. The grammatical information, which will be of immediate and constant use to the learner in reading and understanding Latin, is given in the lessons themselves, while other grammatical facts which ought to be within his reach, but which should not be allowed to burden his memory, are placed in the introduction for reference.

In conclusion, the learner is advised to make faithful use of the Suggestions, which he will find in the latter part of the book, beginning on page 261. It is hoped that they will greatly aid him in his work.

BROWN UNIVERSITY, July, 1888.

PREFACE.

THE volume now offered to the public is intended to furnish the pupil a complete course for his first year in the study of Latin. It conducts the beginner through the common forms and inflections of the language, introduces him to the leading principles of its syntax, and aims to prepare him to enter with success upon the consecutive study of Caesar or of any of the less difficult Latin authors. It comprises an Outline of Latin Grammar, Progressive Exercises in Reading and Writing Latin, eighteen pages of Connected Discourse from Caesar, Directions for Reading at Sight, Suggestions to the Learner, Notes, a Latin-English and an English-Latin Vocabulary.

The Paradigms and Rules are introduced in the exact form and language of the author's Grammar. Thus the great objection to many First Latin Books, that they fill the memory of the pupil with forms of statement that must be laid aside as soon as he passes to his Grammar, is entirely obviated in this volume.

The Latin Exercises are taken chiefly from Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War. They are made so strictly progressive, that the learner will find it perfectly easy, in the latter part of the volume, to make the transition from classified sentences to connected discourse. The

English Exercises are modelled after the Latin, and involve the same constructions and the same vocabulary.

The Exercises in Reading at Sight consist of easy passages of connected discourse from Caesar's Commentaries. They are so arranged that all the words and constructions involved in any given exercise are introduced and used in previous lessons. The pupil, therefore, who has learned all the vocabularies, and has been faithful in his other work, will find little difficulty in reading at sight in accordance with the directions given him. The important point is not that he should translate any given passage absolutely at sight, but that he should master it without help from any source whatever. The exercises are intended to encourage independent work, to promote self-reliance in study, and to give facility in reading and appreciating Latin.

The Suggestions to the Learner are intended not only to point out to the beginner the process by which he may most readily and surely reach the meaning of a Latin sentence, but also to aid him in expressing that meaning in idiomatic English. Experience has abundantly shown the need of such directions. The beginner's first efforts to solve the problem presented by a Latin sentence are too often little better than a series of unsuccessful conjectures, while his first translations are purely mechanical renderings, with little regard either to the thought of his author or to the proprieties of his mother-tongue.

I am happy in this connection to acknowledge my obligations to my esteemed friend, Mr. Edward H. Cutler, the accomplished Head-Master of the Newton High School. His accurate scholarship and large professional experience have contributed greatly to the value of every part of the work. The vocabularies are all from his hand.

The work which appears entire in this volume is also published without the Grammatical Outline, under the title: Progressive Exercises in Reading and Writing Latin, with

Frequent Practice in Reading at Sight, intended as a Companion Book to the Author's Latin Grammar.

Teachers who use the author's Latin Series in connection with the Standard Edition1 of his Latin Grammar, may now choose for their classes during the first year of their Latin studies any one of the following courses:

1. The Complete Latin Course for the First Year.

2. The Grammar, and the Progressive Exercises in Reading and Writing Latin.

3. The Grammar, and the New Latin Reader.

Each of these courses will be found to furnish an adequate preparation for the reading of any of the less difficult Latin authors. In making the selection, teachers will have an opportunity to gratify their individual preferences, and to consult the special needs of their schools.

1 Those who retain the earlier edition of the Grammar will find the Introductory Latin Book and the Latin Reader adapted to it. The editions of Latin Authors may be had with references to either edition of the Grammar, at the option of the instructor.

BROWN UNIVERSITY, PROVIDENCE, R.I.,
July, 1883.

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