Teufel's History of Roman Literature. Revised and enlarged by Ludwig
Schwabe. Translated by George C. W. Warr, M.A. (Bell and Sons ; Deighton, Bell, and Co.)—Dr. Teuffel's History of Roman Literature was published in 1870. After his death in 1878, it was entrusted, by his wish, to Dr. Schwabe, one of his Tubingen colleagues. Dr. Schwabe brought out a new edition in 1882, revised and augmented by much new matter. In 1890, again, there was yet another edition, with fresh improvements and additions. The late Dr. Wilhelm Wagner published a trans- lation of Dr. Teuffel's original work. This has been utilised by Professor Warr. The volume before us bears the title of " The Republican Period," but it actually includes the Augustan Age, the chief writers in which were born in Republican days, though Ovid's birth comes so near to the Imperial time that it is only technically that he has any connection with the Republican age. The book is a monument of learning and industry. Indeed, a more richly furnished storehouse of facts could not be. The judgments, too, are sound and sober. The scholar, in short, will find it simply invaluable. But the literary quality is defective. What is called " its perfect definiteness and objectivity of view " gives it a value of its own, but it does not make the work attrac- tive. A little more of the "vague rhetoric" which is depreciated in other works on the subject would not have been unacceptable. Dr. Tenffel and his editor are too severely practical. The solid groundwork of knowledge and criticism which they supply is indeed invaluable, but one will enjoy reading Mr. Simcox afterwards.
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