The Greeks are justly called an artistic people, and the Greek language is the most ancient work of art which they have reared upon a very primitive basis. The student, who approaches the Greek after he has already gone through a considerable preparation by the study of Latin, ought to be impressed with the idea that the structure of this language is one of the most marvelous productions of the intellectual powers acting unconsciously. . . . The attempt, therefore, to connect in a still higher degree the practice of the school with the spirit of science, can here point to numerous precedents; and it is, no doubt, mainly owing to this circumstance that it has met with so favorable a reception. My object has been to produce a consistent system, a careful selection, and a clear and precise exposition, rather than an entirely new system. --from the Preface Georg Curtius (1820-1885) was Professor of Classics at Leipzig University. Among his numerous publications, two others were translated into English: 'Principles of Greek Etymology' and 'The Greek Verb: Its Structure and Development.'