TO

GEORGE COLMAN, Efq;

I

DEAR SIR,

Can never forget the time, when our literary amusements were fo intimately blended, that we seemed to have one invention, one fentiment, one expreffion. The regularity of a periodical publication led us to a conftant intercourfe and communication of ideas: and whatever may be the fate of this prefent undertaking, I fhall never regret my having dipt. in ink, fince it gave me an opportunity of cultivating a focial as well as literary connection with you.

Inftead of prefixing your name to this work, with the diftant air of a dedication, I wished to have had it coupled along with mine in the title-page I wanted you as a comes jucundus, an agreeable companion, in this new unbeaten track of translation, which you have so happily struck out before me. It is therefore in fome measure your own fault, if the prefent attempt should fail of fuccefs; and the public, I fear, as well as myfelf, will have too much reason to regret

your

your not joining with me. I, however, heartily excufe you, as you continue to turn your thoughts to original composition.

I own, indeed, I fhall feel a more than ordinary disappointment, if I should be judged unworthy to rank with you in this humbler branch of literature: for I confefs, in the pride of my heart, that one great inducement to my engaging in this talk was the hope, that our names would be mentioned together as the tranflators of Terence and Plautus, though I cannot afpire to an equal share of reputation with the author of the Jealous Wife, or the joint authors of the Clandeftine Marriage.

I am,

Dear SIR,

Your most affectionate

Humble Servant,

BONNELL THORNTON.

PREFACE.

I

HAVE been induced to publish these two

volumes of my intended translation of the whole of PLAUTUS's comedies, in order to try how far fuch an attempt may meet with approbation. The fuccefs of Mr. Colman's TERENCE led me to hope, that I could introduce PLAUTus to public notice in the fame agreeable form and manner; and I was the more encouraged to the attempt, by Mr. Colman's readily offering to forward me with one * play, which was at once a proof of his regard and good opinion. In confequence of my having advertised this defign, I had a still farther incitement to proceed in it; as a † gentleman, to whom I was then a stranger, was pleafed to decline all

* The Merchant, in the fecond volume of this tranflation.

↑ Richard Warner, of Woodford Row, Effex, Efquire. This gentleman had tranflated several of our author's plays into profe, and had begun one in verfe, the Captives, which is inferted in the first volume of this work.

thoughts

thoughts which he had before conceived, of profecuting the fame intention. To him I am indebted for his affiftance in one play, as well as for communicating to me whatever he thought might be of service in the undertaking, with that heartiness which endears him to all who have the happiness of being acquainted with him. The fame gentleman alfo took upon himself the trouble of tranflating the life of our author from Petrus Crinitus.

I have purposely avoided following the arrangement of our author's plays, which is alphabetical in the editions of the original, because I found, by observing that order, I should tye myself up to the unneceffary task of tranflating on, just as the book directed me; though the choice I have made has been purely accidental, without any immediate regard to the particular merit of each play. For this reason the reader must not expect to find, in the volumes now prefented him, a felect collection or chief d'œuvres of our author's works: the learned reader will be fenfible, that as many, if not more, which are equally admired, among our

* It was thought proper to take that account of him, which was the most ancient.

author's

As mention is often made in our Author's Comedies of the following Coins, it was thought proper to prefix here COOKE's Table of Sums in Attic Money, with their Proportion to English Money.

Terence mentions the Half Mina in his Adelphi, which was a single coin, in proportion to OI 12 03 2

The Obolus was brafs, the reft were filver.