An Essay Upon the Versification of Homer, and His Digamma

The rules of authorship, I am told, require, that in addition to the subject matter of every book, there shall also be given to the public a title page, an epistle dedicatory, and a preface. The first, as may be perceived, I have succeeded in obtaining; Mr. Smith’s kindness has enabled me to supply the second; but for a preface I am sadly at a loss. To enlarge upon the advantages accruing from an attentive study of Grecian literature; to shew that all true and enlarged views of Greek must be based upon a knowledge of the Epic language, as developed in Homer; and to prove that, before we can examine Homer’s language with any degree of critical certainty, we must be acquainted with the laws of his versification; would render my preface a treatise in itself, and this would be very far from pleasing the public.