LONGINUS ON THE SUBLIME TRANSLATED BY THOMAS R. R. STEBBING M.A. Fellow and Tutor of Worcester PREFACE. THERE are many reasons why this book should be valuable, if, as a preliminary to conferring advantages, it secures that distinction for itself, which in literature is the primary one, and above all others essential to value,-the tribute of the reader's time, together with the homage of his attention. The treatise for which I make this claim discusses an important subject; it is distinguished at once for its brevity and fulness; its precepts many times are practically illustrated by the manner of conveying them; the style is moulded after great exemplars; the sentiments |