Preface

PREFACE.

little treatise purports to be a primer, and a primer to the art of textual criticism rather than to the science. Its purpose will be served if the reader is prepared by it to exercise the art in the usual processes, and to enter upon the study of the science in such books as Dr. Hort's "Introduction," and Dr. Gregory's "Prolegomena" to Tischendorf's eighth edition. In such a primary treatise, and where no claim to originality is made, obligations to previous works can scarcely be acknowledged. The author hopes that his general confession of having made use of everything that he could lay bis hands upon that served his purpose, will be deemed sufficient acknowledgment of the many debts he is conscious of, and would like, if occasion seived. to confess in detail.

ALLEGHENY, Midsummer 1886