conformity with our practice. Many liberties have been taken with the
text itself, especially in the latter part, in the way of making it
approximate more closely to our rather strict notions of the standards of
model prose. A few words and uses of words not found in the prose writers
of the republic have been retained, but nothing, it is hoped, that will
seriously mislead the young student. I shall welcome any criticism that
may lead to further changes in the text in future editions.

The notes are entirely new, and are intended for students who have but
just finished the beginner's book or have not yet finished it. Some notes
may appear at first sight unnecessary or unnecessarily hard, but the
reason for their insertion should be evident when the student begins the
reading of classical Latin, the difficulties of which will be less likely
to appal the beginner if some of them have been already conquered. I
believe it a mistake to postpone all treatment of the uses of the
subjunctive, for instance, or of the constructions of indirect discourse
until the study of Nepos or Caesar is begun. Besides, it is easier to
neglect notes than to supply them, and the teacher who prefers to do the
first reading without much attention to the more difficult constructions
will only need to tell his students to disregard certain of my notes--or
all of them.

There are no references to the grammars, but syntax has been given such
treatment as seemed needed to supplement its treatment in the beginner's
book. Teachers will therefore be able to postpone the use of a formal
manual of grammar, if they so desire. Those who wish their classes to
begin the reading of Latin at the earliest possible moment will find it
feasible to use this book as soon as the inflections and the more
elementary principles of syntax have been mastered.