No attempt has been made to give even a tithe of the various readings. Only the most important have been noted. [It is but just to direct the reader’s attention to an elaborate article of Dr. Donaldson, in the (London) Theological Review, vol. xiv. p. 564; in which he very ingeniously supports his opinions with regard to Hermas, and also touching the Muratorian Canon. In one im- portant particular he favours my own impression; viz., that The Shepherd is a compilation, traditional, or reproduced from memory. He supposes its sentiments “must have been ex- pressed in innumerable oral communications delivered in the churches throughout the world.”] 11 Introductory Note