ASSISTANT LECTURER IN CLASSICS IN THE OWENS COLLEGE, VICTORIA London: MACMILLAN AND CO. 1883. All rights reserved. EducT 21237,363.883 HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY, FROM THE LIBRARY OF GLASGOW PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS PREFACE. In the preparation of this edition of the Iphigenia in Tauris I have received much help from the work of previous editors. Of modern editions of the play those of Wecklein (Leipzig, 1876), Weil (Paris, 1879), and Köchly (Berlin, 1872) have been the most useful to me. By some teachers perhaps it may be objected that, for a school-book, this edition contains an excess of critical matter. In answer to this objection I would urge: (1) That, as variants are given at the foot of the text, the book can the more easily be used in the same class with other editions: (2) That, as the Critical and Explanatory Notes are separate, those boys who are not expected to study the former will not find them in their way: and (3) That those who do read them-and there are many good grounds and much good precedent for exer cising even boys in the discussion of different readings-will gain a more correct idea of the real state of the text and the proper scope of textual criticism, if all deviations from the mss. and the more important alternative suggestions of other editors are set before them. To my friend Mr. J. H. Flather, of Cavendish College, Cambridge, I am indebted for his kindness in reading through the proof-sheets of the Text and Critical Notes, and for the valuable assistance he has given me both in correction and criticism. THE OWENS COLLEGE, MANCHESTER, September, 1883. E. B. E. |