P R E F A C E

B Y L U D O L P H D I S S E N

Carolus Fridericus Wunderlich had undertaken the responsibility of editing Tibullus, just as he had for Virgil, having been entrusted with it by the immortal Heyne, and he had approached this task by no means ill-prepared. For this man was not only learned in other matters, but also most expert in the Latin language, which I have often admired in our daily association over many years, and which I believe has been proven to others by the first part of his work recently brought to light. He possessed a keen and subtle mind, clearly made for the study of languages; he had an most accurate knowledge of grammar, so that he even intended to compose a Latin grammar such as our time requires; he had tireless industry and a generous desire for glory. But it was not fated that Wunderlich should complete all those things he had proposed for himself; before this very year, an unfair death snatched him away.