RITCHIE'S FABULAE FACILES

A FIRST LATIN READER

EDITED WITH NOTES AND A VOCABULARY

BY JOHN COPELAND KIRTLAND, Jr. Professor of Latin in The Phillips Exeter Academy

THE LITTLE THAT IS MINE IN THIS LITTLE BOOK I GRATEFULLY DEDICATE TO PROFESSOR JOSEPH HETHERINGTON M'DANIELS TEACHER AND FRIEND

PREFACE

Some time ago a fellow-teacher brought the Fabulae Faciles to my notice, and I have since used two of them each year with my class of beginners in Latin with increasing appreciation. Indeed, I know nothing better to introduce the student into the reading of connected narrative, and to bridge the great gulf between the beginner's book of the prevailing type and the Latinity of Caesar or Nepos. They are adapted to this use not merely by reason of their simplicity and interest, but more particularly by the graduating of difficulties and the large use of Caesarian words and phrases to which Mr. Ritchie calls attention in his preface.

Doubtless many American teachers have become familiar with portions of the Fabulae, for they have been freely drawn upon in several Latin readers recently published in this country. I venture to hope that those who have made the acquaintance of the work in this way will welcome a complete edition.