The Identification of the Manuscripts of Catullus Cited in Statius Edition of 1566: A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Literature in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Identification of the Manuscripts of Catullus Cited in Statius Edition of 1566: A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Literature in Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

In the same way, we should be careful about accepting the state ments of other early editors about old and valuable mss. In the case of too many authors are we still dependent on the reports of early editors.

To do properly a piece of work of the sort proposed, it is necessary to have at hand all the mss of the author known to exist, or, failing this impossible ideal, complete collations or copies of these mss. For Catullus, such a collection of material exists in Professor W. G. Hale's apparatus,x the use of which I have had.

It was seen that if the original plan were adhered to, the result would exceed the limits that various considerations set upon this dissertation. I have, therefore, selected one editor only for cross examination. The reasons for choosing Statius are, that he is an early editor, that he frequently cites MS readings, that his work gives the impression of being more accurate than that of other editors of his century or even later, and that he occupies a com manding position in the textual criticism of Catullus. It is hoped that the work can at some future time be completed and published, according to the original plan.

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