This translation of Varro's 'Rerum Rusticarum' is based on the 'Editio Minor' of Keil, which is the best text that we at present possess, and the most accessible to students. The numerous passages where I have ventured to adopt or propose a reading differing from that given by the great scholar are indicated and fully discussed either in the Commentary or Excursus. In excuse for the many alterations of his text which I have proposed, I would point out that Keil himself professes only to have restored the text of the Archetype, which is avowedly corrupt, to have made certain indubitable corrections, and to have cleared the ground for further emendation.<br><br>In rendering the Latin, I have aimed, above all things, at accuracy, and have tried to say in English what Varro actually said in Latin, not what I imagine he ought to have said, or might have said, had he written in English. Graceful paraphrase would have been quite out of place in the case of an author who has no graces of style, is valuable principally for his matter, and is very difficult to understand.<br><br>To other translations I am not at all indebted. Those with which I am acquainted - the French of Nisara, the Italian of Pagani, and the English of Clarke (1800) - are not good, and were made by men evidently unaccustomed to Varro's peculiar and archaic diction.