k er If the Latin and Greek Languages have receiv'd the greatest Advantages imaginable from the Labours of the Editors and Criticks of the two last Ages; by whofe Aid and Affiftance the Grammarians have been enabled to write infinitely better in that Art than even the preceding Grammarians, who wrote when those Tongues flourish'd as living Languages: I fhould account it a peculiar Happinefs, that, by the faint Affay I have made in this Work, a Path might be chalk'd out, for abler Hands, by which to derive the fame Advantages to our own Tongue: a Tongue, which, tho' it wants none of the fundamental Qualities of an univerfal Language, yet, as a noble Writer says, lisps and ftammers as in its Cradle; and has produced little more towards its polishing than Complaints of its Barbarity. Having now run thro' all thofe Points, which I intended should make any Part of this Dissertation, and having in my former Edition made publick Ac knowledgments of the Affiftances lent me, I fhall conclude with a brief Account of the Methods taken in This. It was thought proper, in order to reduce the Bulk and Price of the Impreffion, that the Notes, whereever they would admit of it, might be abridg'd: for which Reafon I have curtail'd a great Quantity of Such, in which Explanations were too prolix, or Authorities in Support of an Emendation too numerous and Many I have entirely expung'd, which were were judg'd rather Verbose and Declamatory, (and, fo, Notes merely of Oftentation;) than necessary, or inftructive. The few literal Errors, which had escaped Notice, for want of Revifals, in the former Edition, are here reform'd: and the Pointing of innumerable Paffages is regulated, with all the Accuracy I am capable of. I fhall decline making any farther Declaration of the Pains I have taken upon my Author, because it was my Duty, as his Editor, to publifh him with my best Care and Judgment: and because, I am fenfible, all fuch Declarations are construed to be laying a fort of a Debt on the Publick. As the former Edition has been received with much Indulgence, I ought to make my Acknowledgements to the Town for their favourable Opinion of it: and I fhall always be proud to think That Encouragement the best Payment I can hope to receive from my poor Stu dies. THE |