Whatever may be the cause of the perpetuation of this ungracious tradition of fault-finding, whether the general difficulty specified by Archdeacon Squire, or the more particular obstacle of a corrupt text described by other commentators, we do not feel that we are called upon to make any departure from so long-established a custom. The quaint charm of most of the translations forming the basis of Dr. Goodwin's revision no one will be inclined to deny, although the reviser's own remarks make it clear that little dependence is to be placed upon their accuracy in any instance of difficulty.[1] The two volumes contained in the well-known "Bohn" series of translations are utterly misleading, not only as regards the colour which they infuse into Plutarch's style, but also as regards their conspicuous incorrectness in many particular instances.[2] To other translations of individual tracts reference has been occasionally made in the notes.
In view of the fact that no dependence was to be placed upon the accuracy of any translation yet furnished of that portion of our author's work with which we were dealing, it was necessary, before
- ↑ Plutarch's Morals, translated from the Greek by several hands, corrected and revised by W. W. Goodwin, Ph.D. (London, 1870).—"It may have been a fortunate thing for some of our translators that Bentley was too much occupied with the wise heads of Christ Church to notice the blunders of men who could write notes saying that the Parthenon is a 'Promontory shooting into the Black Sea, where stood a chappel dedicated to some virgin godhead, and famous for some Victory thereabout obtain'd.'"—Editor's Preface.
- ↑ Plutarch's Morals. Theosophical Essays. Translated by the late C. W. King, M.A. (London, 1889). Ethical Essays translated by A. R. Shilleto, M.A. (London, 1888).
