ssor C. O. Mueller,
entitled, "Histories of Greek Tribes and Cities." The first volume of this
series was published separately under the name of "Orchomenos and the
Minyae;" and contains a most learned examination of the mythology and early
history of Orchomenos and other towns of Boeotia, and of the migrations of
the Minyae, together with other questions more or less connected with these
subjects. It is, in every respect, a distinct and separate work from the
Dorians, comprised in the second and third volumes; nor was it more
incumbent on us to publish a translation of that first volume, because it
is often referred to in the subsequent volumes, than of the many other
admirable works on Grecian history, equally referred to, which are
inaccessible to persons not acquainted with the German language.

At a time when a large part of the present translation had been completed,
the translators communicated by letter to Professor Mueller their intention
with regard to his work on the Dorians, and requested him to read the
manuscript of their translation before it was printed, in case they should
have anywhere committed any errors, or failed to catch the import of his
words. To this request Mr. Mueller, though not personally known by either
of the translators, not only acceded, but, with an unexpected, and indeed
unhoped-for liberality, expressed his willingness to contribute to our
translation all the alterations and additions which his reading had
suggested since the appearance of the original work. The manuscript was
accordingly transmitted, and carefully revised, corrected, and enlarged by
the author. Of the value of these changes it would perhaps be improper
that we should speak in the terms which they seem to us to deserve: of
their number, however, as this can be brought to a certain test, we will
venture to assert, that few books undergo so great changes after their
first publication; and that the present work may be in strictness
considered, not only a translation, but a new edition of the original. In
making these changes, it was also the author's wish to clear up
ambiguities or obscurity of meaning, either by a change in the expression,
or a fuller development of the thought: and we cannot help hoping, that
even to a person acquainted with German, our translation will thus be
found in many places more explicit and satisfactory than the original
text.

Besides those alterations, which appear for the first time in the