Page:The Making of Latin.djvu/9



object of this little book is to explain as simply as possible the principles of the modern Science of Language, and to indicate the chief results of these principles in the study of Latin, with some of the consequences in that of English and the Romance languages.

This new knowledge has been current for some forty years, but it has been treated hitherto as a privilege suited only for students doing highly specialised work. For this restriction I can see no reason beyond the well-known unwillingness of the specialist to explain his subject to non-specialist readers. The truth is that few things add more interest even to the elements of a language than the good salt of a little etymology. But since it has become generally known that the derivations given in the current dictionaries and in many commentaries are based on pious theories framed long before the advent of scientific method, the best teachers are apt to be shy of etymology altogether.

This book is meant to be easily understood by anyone who has learnt enough to find his way about Latin authors with the help of a dictionary. The Greek examples given are every where translated, and are such, I venture to hope, as will be interesting even to beginners in Greek. The size, plan and method of the chapters and sections have been influenced by practical experience of teaching the subject to a variety of classes and pupils in Cambridge, Cardiff and Manchester. In choosing both matter and examples I have tried to keep before me the point of view Rh