SELECTIONS FROM Michel Eyquem de MONTAIGNE EDITED WITH NOTES BY C. H. CONRAD WRIGHT D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO H.P. There 3-3-41 PREFACE The complete annotation of an essay by Montaigne would be almost a paraphrase. The most that can be done in this small volume is to suggest explanations for what seem the greatest difficulties. Another editor would see different things to elucidate. A corresponding variance of opinion would show itself in the choice of extracts. The basis of this edition is the one of Louandre. Louandre's text, not the most scholarly, is nevertheless practically the vulgate because of its general convenience for students. For those who use the present volume will not be such as seek text criticism, but merely an introduction to Montaigne's thought. Numerous French editions, including school manuals, have been used in preparing the notes. The extracts by Jeanroy, Réaume, and Klein et Charbonnel may be mentioned. The editor wishes, however, to express openly and emphatically his grateful obligations to his kind friend Miss Grace Norton, who has made suggestions and criticisms on the notes of almost every page, and to whom many of the brief introductions to separate essays are due. Cambridge, February, 1914. C. H. C. W. iii |