SCHOOL-BOOKS.
Livy, Book xxi. Edited by Marcus S. Dimsdale, M.A. (Pitt Press.)—In view of the fact, with which Mr. Dimsdale makes us acquainted in his preface, that there is little in his book which is original, we think it a pity that it has been published. The introduction is readable, but the notes are poor. They are not bad in the sense of being unscholarly, but they are not good enough to supersede in any way an edition such as that of Mr. Capes. Occasionally, too, Mr. Dimsdale is a little rash. In a note on trajecturus, chap. i., 4, he says that the future participle was only used before Livy in conjunction with some part of sum. This is certainly a mistake. A note like the following seems slightly unnecessary, chap. v., 4 :—" Quo meta, a short way of expressing cujus in meta." In chap. vii., 8, pro nuenibus tela micare does not mean " weapons gleamed upon the walls ;" nor does such a meaning " suit the context better." Micare is generally used of the glitter made by rapid motion. Again, the passage clearly seems to mean that the defenders did not content themselves with dis- charging missiles, but went so far as to make sallies against the works of the besiegers. In a note on destitueret, chap. =nil., 6, we find the curious statement : "The subjunctive expresses repeated action." Can a mood do this ?
Previous page
