Page:Loeb Classical Library L205N (1958).djvu/16

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Introduction

The Letters vary greatly in interest and style; while many of them contain matter of the highest literary or historical value—as, for instance, Cicero's explanation of his political change of front (i. 9), Sulpicius Rufus's letter of condolence to Cicero on the death of his daughter Tullia (iv. 5) and Matius's defence of his friendship for Caesar (xi. 28)—others are no more than merely formal documents.

The text is based on that of Nobbe (1849); but where there was an obvious call for emendation in that text I have not hesitated to adopt other readings, always with due acknowledgement.

Such universally accepted orthographical corrections as cum for quum, consili for consilii, and causa for caussa I have made as a matter of course.

To Tyrrell and Purser's exhaustive (it has rightly been described as "monumental") Commentary on the Correspondence of Cicero[1] I have made constant reference, and owe more than I can tell; I have depended upon it, too, for the dates of the letters, Watson's Select Letters (with the recently revised edition by Mr. W. W. How), and Pritchard and Bernard's Selected Letters for the use of Schools have been of invaluable assistance to me, and I have freely consulted the admirable translations of all or some of the letters by E. S. Shuckburgh, G. E. Jeans, and S. H. Jeyes.

To all the above distinguished Ciceronians I acknowledge with gratitude my very deep indebtedness.

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  1. ↑ Referred to in my notes for the sake of brevity as "Tyrrell."
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