DEFOE, D.,
Robinson Crusoeus. Latine scripsit F.J. Goffaux. Editio nova, cuui accedunt annotationes.
Apud Geo. Wilson, Londini, 1820. VIII,232p. Brown embossed leather bound. Neat gilded floral guirlande to edges cover. Marbled edges. Spine gilt titled. Reading ribbon. Front book plate a bit cracked. Contemporary ex libris glued to inside front book plate. Attractive copy. 'It has long affored just ground of complaint that the first steps in Roman literature are in no common degree wearisome and dull. This arises in a great measure from the difficulty or total absence of amusement, in the authors first put into the hands of youth; for it must be confessed, that boys are rarely , if ever, found to be attracted by the story of their author. It was thought that a work in the Latin language, which, while it demanded attention and exactness, should at the same time, attract and insensibly excite by its matter, would not be unacceptable in the present day. No work seemed more adapted to his purpose than Defoe's Hisotry of robinson Crusoe. This, though too long in its original form to follow literally, the author has translated, leaving out chiefly the digressions, which in truth form no part of the story, and retaining the most intersting facts. This little history was the more readily selected, as the sentiments throughout are pious, and the whole interspersed with maxims and sentences conducing to sobriety and virtue. These are the motives which have led to the publication of this trifle, and for which no other excuse can be assigned, than a desire to promote the welfare of youth. It has been the author's wish to adapt his style to the subject, and as far as could be done, insulcate the rules of grammar in language at once simple and pleasing. How far he has accomplished his purpose must be left to the judgment of those who may favour his work with a perusal; at the same time he wishes them to bear in mind the object for which it was untertaken. (...) The few explanations he has given, will, he hopes likewise, to this class readers, occasionally save a reference to the dictionary, since little pleasure can be derived from the perusal of any work where the thread of the story is perpetually broken. He has been most anxious indeed to remove every obstacle which might in the least degree impede the progress, or damp the pleasure of a youth entering on such a course of reading.' (The author's preface, pp.V-VIII).
€ 175.00
(Antiquarian)