Although the compiler of the _Viri Romae_ greatly simplified the language of his authorities, there yet remain in the early part of the book many constructions which the beginner is not fitted to discuss. It is strongly recommended, therefore, that the treatment of the more difficult and complex of these constructions be postponed to a later period. At the outset the attention of the pupil should be centered upon matters of primary importance and upon the simplest and most common usages, such as the form of the sentence, the relation of its parts to one another, the significance of terminations, and the modes of expressing the constantly recurring relations of time, place, cause, means, purpose, and result. Even these should be treated as simply as possible and with constant regard to English usage. It is the experience of many teachers that reference to a Latin grammar to explain a construction possessed by English as well as by Latin frequently creates a difficulty where the student, if left to his own devices, would have experienced none.
The notes on matters of Roman custom have been made intentionally full with the aim of adding reality to the stories, and of inducing the pupil, under the teacher’s guidance, to discover for himself further details. The use of other accounts, whether in ancient or modern authors, of photographs, plates, and other graphic aids can not be too strongly encouraged, in accordance with the dictum of Horace:--
Segnius irritant animos demissa per aures Quam quae sunt oculis subiecta fidelibus.
All vowels known to be long have been carefully marked. The text of this edition is, in the main, that of C. Holzer (tenth edition, Stuttgart, 1889). In orthography, however, Brambach has been followed. In the vocabulary compound verbs are given under the simple verbs as an aid to the fuller appreciation of the methods by which they are formed and their meanings derived. The exercises in prose composition have been made simple in order that they may occupy their legitimate place as subordinate and auxiliary to the development of the more important reading power.
The thanks of the editors are due to Mr. E. G. Warner, of the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, for his hearty coöperation in the work, and particularly for the labor which he has expended upon the exercises.