Section 163. TACITUS.
Reading edition
I am glad to find[1], by your (= thy) letter just received, that you are reading Tacitus[2] with some relish. His style is rather quaint[3] and enigmatical, which (S. 3, N. 7) makes[4] it difficult to the student; but then[5] his pages[6] are filled with such admirable apothegms and maxims of political wisdom, as[7] infer the deepest knowledge of human nature; and it is particularly necessary that any one intending to become a public speaker should[8] be master of his works, as[9] there is neither an ancient nor a modern author who affords such a selection of admirable quotations. You should exercise yourself frequently in[10] trying to make translations of the[11] passages which most strike[12] you, trying[13] to invest[14] the sense of (S. 25, N. 5) Tacitus in as good English as you can. This will answer[15] the double purpose of making yourself familiar with the Latin author, and giving you the command of[16] your own language, which no person will ever have[17] who[18] does not study composition in early life.—Sir Walter Scott, “Letters To His Son.”