2 MAY 1829, Page 12

SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CLASSICS WITH ENGLISH NOTES.*

Tins is a useful design, and will be properly appreciated by all Greek students. The absurdity of teaching the classical languages by the aid of notes in a tongue which the pupil does not understand, has been of late very generally recognized : the old system can last no longer than is rendered imperative upon teachers by the want of proper elementary books. Dr. BRASSE has already supplied one in the CEdipu,s of SopitocLEs, and Mr. MAJOR another in the Hecuba of EURIPIDES ; two of the Greek plays most usually commenced upon by students. Both these gentlemen are fully competent to the task : and from the attention which we have been able to pay to the Tdipus, we are able to say that the notes contain an immense quantity of useful informa- tion conveyed in a lucid and compact manner, for which previously the scholar must have been compelled to search far and near—to peruse a great number of volumes difficult and expensive to procure, and which after all, he could only read under the guidance of a teacher. Had this edition of CEdipus existed in our time, it would have saved us a world of painful labour : we do not say that the information connected with the usages and peculiarities of Iambic verse and Attic idiom are among the most valuable of human acquirements ; but still they have their value, and certainly when they arc prescribed to be learned, we are greatly indebted to those persons who contrive that we. shall. be. enabled to learn with the least trouble and loss of time.

The (Edipus Rex of Sophocles ; chiefly according to the text of Brunek ; with Cri- tical, Philological, and Explanatory Notes, illustrative of peculiar idioms and examina- tion questions. By the Itev. John Brasse, D.D., late Fellow of Trinity College, Cam- bridge. London, 1829. Longman.