The First Book of Ovid's Metamorphoses

Ovid, 43 B.C. - 17 or 18 A.D.
The First Book of Ovid's Metamorphoses, with a Literal Interlineal Translation and Illustrative Notes on the Plan Recommended by Mr. Locke. Fourth Edition.
London: Taylor and Walton, 1839.
Call Number: (SPL) PA 6522 .M2 1839
Special Collections, Golda Meir Library

This edition is an example of Ovid's text used for educational purposes -- not for the content of his writings, but the language in which it is written. The English translation of Ovid's text appears immediately under the Latin text. The preface of this volume reads:

The Metamorphoses of Ovid have always been considered an eligible manual for the purpose of elementary instruction in classic literature; and the simplicity of style observable in the writings of this poet would be a strong claim to such preference, independent of the attractive nature of the subject-matter presented in this particular work... The language of Ovid is pure, easy, and natural, and in general free from those obscurities occasioned by harsh metaphor, or intricate structure of sentences, which cannot fail to embarrass the young learner.