DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9260#0018
PREFACE
Care and Referve, that we flatter ourfelves the unprejudiced will upon a fair Comparifon, even
without fuppofing fuch a Necemty, approve the Alterations.
The Explications of the Fables, which are here tranflated from the French of the Learned Abbot
abovenamed, make another important Part of this Work. Mythological DilTertations may appear
to the politer Readers, who relifli only Wit and Invention, a dry, infipid Amufement; which in
reality is the Chara&er the Lovers of that Study themfelves commonly give it. But, allowing the
Abbot's Syftem, it muft be fome Satisfaction to the Reader, after having been led thorough the Chaos
of Fable, to receive the Light his DifcuiTions Hied over it > and to fee how Ovid's fprightly Fancy
often furpaffes the Power of the Gods he had invoked, in the ingenious Fictions and furprifing
Forms with which he clothes the plaineft, moft fimple Fads in Hiftory. The Reader may have a
better Idea of this Part of the Work, by reading the Abbot's own Preface, that he read with Ap-
plaufe in the Illuftrious Academy of which he is a Member, and which we have here Tranflated.
The numerous Sculptures that adorn this Edition every where ftrike the Eye; and ftiew we have
as little fpared Expence as Care to render it perfect. Many of them are wholly defigned and engra-
ved by the Celebrated Vicart; and all the others by Able Matters conducted by him; whofe Ge-
nius , perhaps as eminent for Vaiming as Ovid's was for Poetry} feems defigned by Nature to Em-
bellifh him.
The Plan of this Edition in general; the Arguments at the Head of each Fable •, the elegant Plain-
nefs of the Tranflations; and the Care and Accuracy with which the whole has been corrected, will
we hope convince the World, That an Englijh Book may be well wrote, and well printed in Holland,
and will engage the Public to continue their Approbation and Encouragement of our Services.
Mr, BANIER'S
Care and Referve, that we flatter ourfelves the unprejudiced will upon a fair Comparifon, even
without fuppofing fuch a Necemty, approve the Alterations.
The Explications of the Fables, which are here tranflated from the French of the Learned Abbot
abovenamed, make another important Part of this Work. Mythological DilTertations may appear
to the politer Readers, who relifli only Wit and Invention, a dry, infipid Amufement; which in
reality is the Chara&er the Lovers of that Study themfelves commonly give it. But, allowing the
Abbot's Syftem, it muft be fome Satisfaction to the Reader, after having been led thorough the Chaos
of Fable, to receive the Light his DifcuiTions Hied over it > and to fee how Ovid's fprightly Fancy
often furpaffes the Power of the Gods he had invoked, in the ingenious Fictions and furprifing
Forms with which he clothes the plaineft, moft fimple Fads in Hiftory. The Reader may have a
better Idea of this Part of the Work, by reading the Abbot's own Preface, that he read with Ap-
plaufe in the Illuftrious Academy of which he is a Member, and which we have here Tranflated.
The numerous Sculptures that adorn this Edition every where ftrike the Eye; and ftiew we have
as little fpared Expence as Care to render it perfect. Many of them are wholly defigned and engra-
ved by the Celebrated Vicart; and all the others by Able Matters conducted by him; whofe Ge-
nius , perhaps as eminent for Vaiming as Ovid's was for Poetry} feems defigned by Nature to Em-
bellifh him.
The Plan of this Edition in general; the Arguments at the Head of each Fable •, the elegant Plain-
nefs of the Tranflations; and the Care and Accuracy with which the whole has been corrected, will
we hope convince the World, That an Englijh Book may be well wrote, and well printed in Holland,
and will engage the Public to continue their Approbation and Encouragement of our Services.
Mr, BANIER'S