YRAGELI OOADIHO PA258 THE KEY to the Exercises in Mr. WILKINS's Manual of Greek Prose Composition is supplied by the Publishers to Teachers only. Price FIVE SHILLINGS. MANUAL OF GREEK PROSE. INTRODUCTION. HIS VOLUME, the contents of which have been carefully revised in preparing the present edition for the press, is divided into THREE PARTS. I. The FIRST PART contains a series of passages translated literally from authors of the golden age of Greek composition, intended for the use of those who are conversant with the ordinary rules of Syntax, and who have practised short sentences in some elementary work. Idioms and phrases have been liberally suggested in the margin; and references given to the most approved Greek Grammars, whenever any important grammatical principle is involved. In the FIRST PART, I have frequently referred to the Syntax in Bp. Wordsworth's Grammar, which is the basis of such instruction at Harrow, Eton, Rugby, and many other schools; and I trust that the Exercises will be found to strengthen and to develop the student's knowledge of the Grammar.* Reference has also been made to the Grammars * The rules have been quoted by sections, to meet the convenierce of Eton, should this work find any favour at that illustrious institution. B of Messrs. JELF and BUTTMANN, which are used in the highest forms of the Public Schools, wherever more ample illustration is required. II. The SECOND PART Contains a selection of passages from English prose authors. The original passage is first given; and appended to it is a version adapted to a literal translation into Greek-designed to illustrate, by practice, the characteristic differences of the Greek and English idiom. The value of this section of the volume, of course, depends entirely upon the merit of the translations themselves. They were contributed by the following scholars, to whose classical distinction I appeal as a guarantee: 6 1. CHARLES R. KENNEDY, M.A., late Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. Author of A Translation of select Speeches of Demosthenes, with Notes.' 2. T. S. EVANS, D.D., Canon of Durham; Professor of Greek in the University of Durham; formerly Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge; Senior Classic, 1847. 3. The late J. W. DONALDSON, D.D., Author of New Cratylus,' Varronianus,' etc. etc. etc. 4. JAMES RIDDELL, M.A., Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, Oxford. 6 5. JOHN R. TURNER EATON, M.A., Fellow and Senior Tutor of Merton College, Oxford; Editor of ARISTOTLE'S Politics.' 6. LEWIS CAMPBELL, M. A., Fellow and Tutor of Queen's College, Oxford. 7. HENRY MONTAGU BUTLER, M.A., Head-Master of Harrow; Senior Classic, 1855. 8. JOHN YOUNG SARGENT, M.A.. Fellow of Magdalene College Oxford; Ireland Scholar; Hertford Scholar 9. J. GREGORY SMITH, M.A., late Fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford; Hertford Scholar; Ireland Scholar. 10. Two translations, to which the letter S. is appended in the Key,' are derived from a collection of versions by Shrewsbury scholars, entrusted to me by Dr. KENNEDY, whose revision they had undergone. III. The THIRD PART contains a series of passages from Greek classics of the purest epochs, translated into idiomatic English. It is intended for boys in the highest forms of public schools, and for university students; and it is hoped that the process of re-translation will be similar to that of rendering original English into Greek. Subjoined are a few versions from Thucydides, designed to practise students in the imitation of that historian's style, which has strongly-defined characteristics of its own. It would be futile to disguise the source of these translations; for it may fairly be presumed, that scholars who are capable of imitating so difficult an author, will be above the folly of abusing facilities of reference. By an idiomatic translation, I mean a translation which, without omitting anything important in the original, or inserting anything foreign to the original, represents the author's meaning in the current English of the day. A literal version affords no adequate scope for an estimate of the relative qualities of the two languages. Still less can it embody the beauties of the original. These, indeed, must to a great extent be ever untransfusible. Where the merit of an author lies in strength and grandeur of thought, the translator has a fair field; but where the subtle graces of form are distinguishing traits, they are apt to evaporate, when transferred to the imitator's canvass. Thus Gifford has succeeded in his version of Juvenal; but no translator has yet arrayed in English garb the |