driven ingenuously to confess it. If this reasoning be not fallacious, it must happen, that, in good versions, illustrations will often be found, which could not be obtained from any editions of the original: this at least I have found by experience in rendering Herodotus, that, after consulting all the commentators, I have frequently been obliged to have recourse to new considerations, before I could make my translation entirely clear and satisfactory to myself,

If the practice of translating be fully approved, there can be no doubt concerning the claim of Herodotus to an early distinction of this kind. His matter is no less curious than diversified, and his history, as far as his own knowledge and diligent researches could make it, so entitled to attention and belief. When he approaches to his own times, there is little reason to suspect him of error or inaccuracy; and, whatever we may think of some particulars respecting the Persian invasion, he is in that matter as moderate as any of his countrymen; and, in a case so very extraordinary, the deposition of such, a witness must deserve particular consideration.

Yet Herodotus, though mentioned always with respect, and dignified by courtesy with the title of the Father of History, has been treated with some neglect by the English literati. While Thucydides and Xenophon have been naturalized among us, in correct and elegant translations,

this

this Historian, the first remaining link of that important chain, has hitherto been represented only by Littlebury. The scarceness of that translation, notwithstanding the inconvenience of its form, from wanting the usual subdivisions; the entire absence of notes, so particularly necessary to this author; and other defects, which it might seem invidious here to mention, first pointed out the necessity of supplying the Public with another. From the nature of the notes subjoined to the present translation, it will easily be perceived, that I have been more desirous to assist and to amuse the English reader, than to claim the credit of abstruse or uncommon learning. It may, indeed, be said, by such as are more ready to throw out an acute than a candid observation, that, in so doing, I have probably consulted my own strength, as much as the reader's convenience. This I shall neither acknowledge nor deny but when it shall be seen how various the matter is, which, even for the above-mentioned purposes, I have been obliged to collect, the imputation perhaps will not be thought extremely formidable. For my own part, I shall be fully satisfied with what I have done, if it shall be pronounced, by those who are capable of deciding, that, in so many topics of enquiry, I have in general been happy enough to avoid misleading my readers.

From the notes to M. Larcher's celebrated French translation, which are very numerous,

and

and intended evidently for the critical and the learned, rather than the common reader, I have extracted such as seemed most suited to my own design to these I have subjoined his name. For the rest, which have the signature of T. annexed, I confess myself responsible: except in the case of a very few, the contribution of one or two friends, which, for many reasons, I should have been glad to have had so numerous, as to have demanded separate signatures. The assistance, however, that I have received, I shall always thankfully acknowledge, and be rather proud to declare, than studious to conceal.

I SHALL now conclude this Address, by which, I hope, the reader will be convinced, that I offer him an useful Work, and one executed with the spirit of a man who wishes to serve the Public, and to promote the cause of Literature. The labour of almost three years is now submitted to his judgment; for which, though I have not conscious dignity enough to dismiss it without any apprehension, I request no further indulgence than candour will readily bestow, on a work of difficult execution; I have done my best, and must abide the consequences. Avocations, cares, and ill-health, I have had in common with others; but these are so inseparable from human life, that they ought perhaps to be supposed in every estimate of labour. It has been remarked, by critics of deserved eminence and popularity, that the perfections and beauties of a translation

3

are

are usually, without reserve, referred to the merit of the original work; while all defects and imperfections are heaped upon the shoulders of the poor translator. To this common lot of my brethren, I also very willingly submit; nor can there, perhaps, be two authors more likely to justify such decisions than Herodotus and his Translator. Had I been aware how much of my time would be occupied by this undertaking, I should probably have shrunk from it: now it is completed, whether I shall again venture upon that perilous ocean, where many a braver heart than mine has trembled, will depend perhaps upon the degree of approbation which the present adventure shall obtain from my impartial and judicious countrymen.