Primus Annus (Paperback)

LINGUA LATIN A PRIMUS ANNUS BY W. L. PAINE AND C. L. MAINWARIKG OXFORD AT THE CLARENDON PRESS 1912 LINGUA LATINA EDITORS Dr. W. H. D. ROUSE, Perse School, Cambridge. S. O. ANDREW, M. A., Whitgift School, Croydon. PRIMUS ANNUS. First Years Course, by W. L. PAINE, M. A., and C. L. MAIHWABING, B. A.. DECEM FABULAE PUERIS PUELLISQUE AGENDAE. A Companion Volume of Plays, by W. L. PAINE, M. A., C. L. MAINWARING, B. A., and Miss E, RTLE. Is. 6d. PREFACE THE book Is the result of three years experience In teaching Latin on the Direct Method, during which time we have used the proofs In various forms In a method, whose essential is spontaneity, it is intended rather to be suggestive to present one line along which the principles of this method can be followed, and it must rest with the individual teacher to modify it, as his experience leads him. Further, It is still in an experimental stage, and we shall be most happy to receive suggestions both on the general scheme and on the details of the book, from teachers using it. In scope it includes practically all constructions which do not involve the Subjunctive Mood or Oratio Obliqua, and can be done in a year by an average class which devotes an hour a day to Latin. We wish to express our thanks to Mr, S. O. Andrew for his great assistance In the scheme of the book and the arrangement of the Grammar and Syntax to Dr. W. H. D. House and Prof. E, V. Arnold for reading the proofs and offering many valuable suggestions and to Mr. E. M. Carter for the picture of the Villa Corneliana. The need for accurate pronunciation, in a method where the appeal is largely made to the ear, is obvious, but a note of explanation may be necessary, of the principle wehave followed in marking the hidden quantities We have marked the vowel long 1 If there seems evidence of its length from i1 derivation. 2 If it precedes the combinations - ws, - nf, - gn, e. Insula, confer5j stagnum or the inceptive - sc e. g. expergiscor. N. B. disco is an exception to this rule. 3 If it precedes a hidden g, e. g. tactum tam o. Diphthongs and short vowels have been left ur marked. W. L. P. C. L. M. WHJTGIPT SCHOOL, CBOYDON. July, 1912. INTRODUCTION THIS course is an attempt to apply the Direct Method to the teaching of Latin. The method, when used for modern language teaching, is based on a psychological principle of imitation the learner learns by imitating his master, by saying what he says, the grammar only coming in afterwards to explain prac tice. In the teaching of Latin, this method is modified in an essential particular by the character of the Latin language itself Latin is so highly inflected, and so much of its syntax is strange to the learner, that the grammar must form the basis throughout and deter mine to some extent the arrangement of subject-matter. In using the present book, the teacher will generally find a certain sequence of treatment convenient, or even necessary 1 Before a new exercise or story is touched, a new point of grammar has to be explained. This is put before the class by means of concrete examples, and then elucidated by reference to Pure Grammar it is then applied by frequent and varied oral practice, drawn not from the story but from the vocabulary already possessed by the class e. g. if the Accusative of Extent is under. consideration the oral practice will consist of questions like the following Quamdiu in 5 ludo sumus eottldieQuarn longe tu abes a magistro L Quam longe tabula distat a ianua and the like. In this way faults will be prevented from taking root the oral practice should at any rate be continued until the new point of grammar is thoroughly understood and can be accurately applied. 2 The story is now taken in hand, and is explained in the first instance with books closed by the master, in Latin, and driven home by repeated questions put to the class...