Smith Barry C. Elements of Latin

Boston, New York, Chicago: D. C. Heath & Co, 1913. — 352 p.In the course of twelve years' experience in teaching Latin to beginners, the writer has become convinced of two facts : The first is that a textbook for secondary schools should be written from the standpoint of the secondary school, and therefore by a person who is familiar, from actual experience, with the conditions of the classroom. Most of our textbooks for pupils begin ning Latin, however admirable in other respects, are written in such a way as to require for intelligent comprehension consider ably more maturity of judgment and understanding than the average beginner in Latin can be expected to possess. The second of these facts is that a book to be of the greatest help to the teacher, and thus secure the best results, should be so ar ranged as to enable the teacher to concentrate energy upon one thing at a time. With these two ideas as a fundamental consideration, the writer has prepared this book. In reference to the first, every effort has been made to use simple language and make all explanations, rules, etc., directly intelligible to the young student. Where explanations should be given, they are made, it is hoped, clearly and simply ; in cases where experience has shown that no book can supply the place of oral explanation, or where explanation has seemed unnecessary, the facts have been sim ply stated, and the rest left to the instructor. As to the second fact, the writer firmly believes that, in the main, it is wisest to concentrate on forms first.