WHICH HAS STOOD THE TEST OF ALMOST HALF A CENTURY, DEDICATED BY ALEX. FRASER TYTLER. WOODHOUSE LEE, } : : PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. IN preparing for the Press a Third Edition of this Essay, the Author has endeavoured, by making ample additions to the matter of the Work, as well as by a careful revisal of the style, to render it less unworthy of that very flattering measure of approbation it has received from the literary world. Sensible that the didactic precepts which form the Laws of Translation, are best verified by the variety and aptness of the examples brought to illustrate them, he has in this edition very considerably enlarged the number of illustrations brought as examples both of excellencies and defects. Of these, in so far as reason and good sense afford a criterion, the opinion of all intelligent readers will probably be uniform. But, as it is not to be denied, that in many of the ex amples adduced in this Essay, the appeal lies not so much to any settled canons: of criticism, as to individual taste; it will not be surprising, if in such instances, a diversi ty of opinion should take place: and the Author having exercised with great freedom his own judgment in such points, it would... ill become him to blame others for using the same freedom in dissenting from his opt nions. The chief benefit to be derived from all such discussions in matters of taste, does not so much arise from any certainty we can obtain of the rectitude of our critical decr sions, as from the pleasing and useful exercise which they give to the finest powers of the mind, and those which most distinguish us from the inferior animals. In one material point at least, the Author may be allowed to flatter himself, that softe advantage may accrue from his undertaking. It will serve to demonstrate, that the Art of Translation is of more dignity and importance than has generally been imagined. It will afford sufficient conviction, that excellence in this art is neither a matter of easy attainment, nor what lies at all within the reach of ordinary abilities; since it not only demands those acquired endowments which are the fruit of much labour and study, but requires a larger portion of native talents and of genuine taste, than are necessary for excelling in many departments of original composition. |