то

DR. S. B. WATSON,

ONE OF THE PHYSICIANS OF

THE RADCLIFFE INFIRMARY, OXFORD,

THE FOLLOWING WORK

IS DEDICATED,

BY HIS SINCERE FRIEND

THE AUTHOR.

INTRODUCTION.

A

evan

BEING sensible that the work which I now offer to Conscious the public is more confined in its objects than most are the generaliz publications connected with classical literature, and of that though thus limited, its extent is likely to prove greater than the object in the eyes of many may appear to deserve, I think it desirable to say a few words in its defence, and to state some of the considerations which have induced me to hazard its publication; reception by the classical reader; Having done this, and

These I should

I will offer a few remarks, which I have been led to make during the progress of the work I prefer throwing these into the form of an Introduction, and so disposing of them at once, rather than scattering hims them at intervals throughout the work; so that the succeeding numbers may be what they profess to be—collections of parallel passages.These remarks These remarks. Ishall poin will chiefly have reference to two subjects. First, cut first the degrees and kinds of resemblance between certain of our own poets and the Greek tragedians whom I have undertaken to illustrate; how far, and in what cases, such resemblance is to be considered as the

a

A

A

as

of the mind

and

Ferwards the reflec

result of imitation, or not: and, secondly, the chief kinds and peculiarities of the Greek metaphor, especially when contrasted with the Latin and English.

In justification of my design, I will begin by observing, that If there is one faculty in our mental constitution to the exercise of which the most important results are attached, it is that of discovering resemblances, and consequently differences: on this partly depends the association of thought; by this, at first an imita man is imitative; and in virtue of this only is he a live being and at philosopher. The pleasure attendant on the exercise of any faculty is almost always, as nearly as possible, live philosopher in proportion to its utility; and hence the extreme delight which the mind experiences in forming comparisons, even without a view to the result. Though it would not be a very satisfactory one on which to depend, yet I would almost trust for success to this principle; or, in other words, claim no more for my book than the recommendation of amusement. There is, however, rarely a comparison without an inference; and to those to whom it proves amusing, I cannot help trusting that it may prove something

Some

apart

more.

I am quite aware that there are minute critics whe view the coincidence of the noblest thoughts of men, whe living in ages far divided, have been each the glory of his own, with nearly as much indifference, as

The minute Critics, whom you thus shear at do not despise the col lection of parallell passages, except on the ground of it's utter inuti lity as regards an accurate knowledge of the language and Style of particular places and peñodes. As som as the combinex

ideas

hlaced

similas

forms which a portical thought, such as you well know

without an ecome

These though they may know something about metres particle, and accrats have as and without the least idea of the varios. is littely to assume and there are many, + The Critics & whom Tobject are mire.

tise as I belive

plays

With the higher orde

and

they would the resemblance between two leaves from
the same tree, or bricks from the same building; and
who consider the fact, that the elision of the iota of
the dative singular occurs six times, neither more
nor less, in the Greek tragedies, far better worth the
expense of labour to investigate, and letter-press to
divulge, than that Sophocles and Shakspeare, fol-
lowing the unchanging laws of man's nature,
themselves governed by the same laws of thought,
Shave, without connivance, agreed to put nearly the
same words into the mouths of similar characters,
where their circumstances eorresponded; [or that
they have both discovered the aptness of the same
imagery for expressing similar relationships of mind.
and matter.] From these critics, and from those
amongst younger scholars, who, as the term is,
up a given quantity of Greek poetry, as a matter of
university business, I cannot of course expect much
sympathy or encouragement. There are, however, a
widely different class-professional men, whose days.
of study are indeed gone by, but who recur to their
classics as a relaxation, and to whom English illustra-
tions might be more agreeable than critical remarks;
and younger students, who find in the reading of the
Greek tragedians something more than a mere exer-
cise in the acquirement of the language.

get

To such

acquain

as you

call upon me to wait till the "golden days begin" when Orlic, shall be of do the general utility of Prise Mustrations (see your nute (pape X1) do you verrously me of these reginsite, I am attempting, perhaps freely, & firmish adve one mind with sach other in with themselves & all your note page & XXIX

consistent

Red with all

I should humbly, but without hesitation, offer the researches of Scholars shall have made us a the Lawes of language and versification and all the peculiontier of style. and sentiment, it will then be time enough to enter upon the question of parallelt passages. But till then we shall non the rik of finding a parallellissm onig only did not write. Ses at Agam. 105.. A very small proporting, Dassays are thrown out by your clas

between what one auther did an