Nonius Marcellus: On the Propriety of Language

TO THE KIND READER

There is no one who does not know that of all the editions of Nonius Marcellus, a most excellent grammarian, the best and most refined one to date is that which Josias Mercer, a man of the highest order in his time, oversaw. Learned men have expressed a strong desire for it to be reprinted, as it has long been growing rare in these lands, and because it can better serve the study of grammar, which is flourishing more each day. Therefore, compelled by their requests, we have seen to it that the Parisian edition of Mercer from the year 1614 is reprinted in such a way that our edition mirrors it exactly, page by page, line by line.