Demosthenes Against Androtion and Against Timocrates. With. Introduction and English
Notes. By William Wayte, M.A. (Cam- bridge University Press.)—These two speeches belong to an early period in the career of Demosthenes. They were not delivered by himself, but were written for one Diodorus ; though, indeed, in the interval between the composition of the two, Demosthenes appeared as a PiTuy, addressing the people in his own person on political matters. They are both highly interesting, as illustrating Attie law, as that law was influenced by the exigencies of politics. Both were delivered by prosecutors in that very wide class of actions called w arped sepaviCnom. As vigorous examples of the great orator's style, they are worthy of all admiration ; and they have the advantage—not inconsiderable when the actual attainments of the average schoolboy are considered—of having an easily comprehended subject-matter. The Anctrotionea is a short speech (only twenty-five pages in the "Teubner" edition), and so has a f arther recommendation. It is a great thing for the scholar to be able to retain easily a conception of the whole oration which he has been reading. The Timocratea is longer, does not, in fact, fall far short of the length of the De Corona. Besides a most lucid and interesting introduction, Mr. Wayte has given the student effective help in his running commentary. We may note, as being so well managed as to form a very valuable part of the
• the summaries given with every two or three sections throughout the speech. "The abstracts at the beginning of each paragraph," writes Mr. Wayte in his Preface, "have been utilised for this purpose [the explanation of difficulties] ; and a hint thus con- veyed has often been substituted for more literal renderings in the Notes." This is a plan to which we can give unreserved commenda- tion. Literal renderings should be very sparingly given.
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