Studien published several extracts from them, ascribing the book at the same time to the real author. These manuscripts, called here C and D were, through Aufrecht's kindness, in our hands before we went to press. Our text was, however, already formed and written out: and, on a review of our book, we are disposed to think that this circumstance has perhaps led us unconsciously to give even greater weight to A as compared with the others, and with C in particular, than in our judg- ment, decidedly deserves. Of the four MSS. used, A and C are by far the best; but C has been corrected overmuch. A reference to the notes will show that, in several places where A, B and D agree in showing a gap C has the gap filled up, but in a manner inconsistent with what we must believe; on the evidence of the other three MSS., to have been the original text. In the Notes we have not consciously shirked any of the difficulties in our book. But we cannot hope always to have succeeded in our interpretation; and much remains in our own judgment obscure. In this connection we may point out that we have furnished a list of difficult verses or parts of verses, which will be found at the end of the book, and on which we would fain draw the critic's fire. An attempt has been made in the Introduction to put together all that is known of each poet and, so far as we could, all that has been with any plausibility conjectured about him. This has been the hardest part of our task; and we ask indul- gence for the manner in which it has been executed. No one who has not made a similar attempt can know how difficult, in the present state of our knowledge, it is. We judged it better to make the attempt at the risk, or rather with the certainty of failure, the extent of which it must be for others to judge. But, should the book run to a second edition, we undertake that this part of it shall show that the editors have neglected no suggestion of improvement which may have reached them.