Illustrated history of ancient literature, oriental and classical

Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Variations in hyphenation have been standardised but all other spelling and punctuation remains unchanged.
There are several variations between the Table of Contents and the headings within the text. These remain.
The cover was prepared by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
THE INDO-EUROPEAN FAMILY OF LANGUAGES.
Linguistic Map of Europe
BY JOHN D. QUACKENBOS, A.M., M.D. ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE, COLUMBIA COLLEGE
ACCOMPANIED WITH ENGRAVINGS AND COLORED MAPS
NEW EDITION REVISED AND CORRECTED
NEW YORK HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS 1890
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by JOHN D. QUACKENBOS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. Copyright, 1889, by John D. Quackenbos.
The History of Literature, as a separate branch of the history of civilization, is of comparatively recent origin; the first work on the subject in any language dating no further back than the sixteenth century, and being little more than a crude catalogue of authors and their books. Yet who can deny the great importance of such history? When studied in connection with illustrative extracts from the masterpieces of which it treats, it furnishes a key to the intellectual development of our race, introduces us to the great minds that stand as beacon lights in successive ages, and with their wisdom widens the scope of knowledge, while it refines the taste and disciplines the judgment. Lord Bacon said but the truth, when he remarked that the history of the world without the history of letters would be as incomplete as a statue of Polyphemus deprived of his single eye.
Nor is this study without results of a direct practical bearing. Certainly all must appreciate the importance of understanding current allusions to the writers and literary works of other ages and countries, and must admit that some acquaintance at least with such writers and works is essential to a well-grounded knowledge of one’s own language and a correct estimate of its literature. But when is such an acquaintance to be obtained, if not during a school or college course? The engrossing duties of after-life leave little time for the pursuit of liberal studies. And how is such an acquaintance to be obtained? All are not linguists, and the greater part must get it second-hand—must avail themselves of the labors of others who have delved in these unfamiliar fields.