vantages with which an Italian historical enquirer might have discouraged all Transalpines from competition. Yet his Atlas is entitled to our thanks. A work which lays claim to be rather a work of learning than of taste may also claim an indulgent judgment to its language and style. Even a master might have found it difficult to obviate the heaviness of extensive researches, and to discuss with elegant lightness the barren portions which have been collected. Inequalities in orthography and punctuation, from which this volumé is by no means exempt, are intrinsically non-essentials, and can only offend the eye which has been spoiled by the regularity of printed works, but were deemed of little importance by the ancients. A careful and unprejudiced examination of the contents may be well demanded by him who is conscious that he has sought after truth without any polemical or party feeling whatever. There is an enthusiasm springing from the presence and intercourse of persons dear to us, a direct influence by which the Muses evidently impart themselves to us, excite pleasure, desire and energy, and sharpen the intellect. Thus I owe it to the friends, in the midst of whom I resumed studies too long laid aside or neglected, if any success has attended my efforts. For this I bless the memory of my dear friend, the immortal Spalding; for this I publicly thank you, Savigny, Buttman, and Heindorf, without whom, and our dear departed friend, I should never have felt myself encouraged to this under taking; and without whose affectionate participation and enlivening society it could scarcely have been accomplished. "Ceterum si omisso optimo illo et perfectissimo genere eloquentiæ eligenda sit forma dicendi, malim hercule C. Gracchi impetum, aut L. Crassi maturitatem, quam calamistros Mæcenatis, aut tinnitus Gallionis."-Dial. de Caus. Corrupt. Eloq. XVII. Conjectures respecting Rome before Tullus .... 192 |