COURS DE THÈMES FRANÇAIS

Thèmes sur l'emploi de l'article défini, de l'article partif et de l'article indéfini.

The Chinese consider the fir as the symbol of immortality. — Superstition is tlie abuse of faith. — Like tlie océan, the désert fills the soûl with (de) the idea of immensity.— Necessity is the mother of invention. — There, where the shores of Europe and Asia approach one another, and where between the two continents the wide mirror of the Propontis extends majestically, where the traveller, surrounded by the remembrances of poetry, admires the magnificence of nature and of human works, there, at the entrance of the strait, rises the immense (city of) Constantinople. JBathed on (de) two sides by the waves, defended on the other by art, it braved the power of the caliphs, and of more than one barbarous nation. But the stream of centuries, more powerful than the passing shock of armies, had undermined the gigantic walls and towers, and what the simple machines of former sièges had not been able to conquer, was to fall under the new instruments of destruction. — Bossuet had adversaries, but no enemies. — There, troops of gazelles, light-footed ostriches, panthers and lions, wander in immense deserts.-V-I am told that tins man has great knowledge and wit, but I ask if lie has also good sensé, and, in particular, honesty ? — That drink resembles Champagne as much as lead does silver. — Our singing does not want admirers, said (the) crickets to (the) nightingales, the reapers listen to us with great

4 Thèmes.

pleasure. — My father, of glorious memory, said a wolf to a fox, was a real liero ; lie lias triumphed over more

titan two hundred enemies Tes, but they were

asses and sheep, answered tbe fox. — At one time largo - of rock bung like ruins over my head, at anotber high and noisy cascades covered me with thick fog; a remarkable mixture of wild and cultivated nature showed me everywhere the band of man. —

The tir,

Il taptn ;

Lead,

ma ;

Suirounded,

Cricket,

U- grillon ;

The slrait,

l, ili'troit ;

Reaper,

To bathe,

bcdgTU r ;

Al «Mie time,

tantôt ;

The wall,

At another,

tantôt.

centuries it pleased the Phœnix to reappear, and ail tbe birds assembled around him : " Poor bird, sigbed one of tbem, be lias mit a friend." ;■ the town of Quito, in au Peru, may be seen the productions of ail Beasons and ail parts of the worlcL There spring unoeasingly unités with autumn, at ail titiifs of tne year the tree bears young leaves, buds, Bowers, and fruit bead of the Lama is

like the li> ail of a f<ul ; the body is covered with | <!• ) wooL The color of thèse animais varies, Borne are blackish, sp okled, or whitish.-1-More Lhan uine thousand dead on th.' Hattle-field, the uumbei

of wounded was stillJ yousee mis-

érable huts, magnificenl palao aumber ol

churches, many public buildings, forests and gardens whioh an' like parks. — Tins respectable old man haa daughters-in-law ami grand-children, who make him almost forget, by tin ir truc filial love, that h< ha.l the happiness of being eehive

contains some thousands of 1 1' - présent my

complimenta to the count T>. and to his Laay, e as t.. ail the ladies ami gentlemen that I hâve had the honor to see at your house. Romember me <■ B. and to the other young ladies, her friends. i rs. L. lias fourni the a to the enigma that I gave her? — "Tl of the

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.French, says Duclos, hâve little consistence, and theû rices hâve no roots."

Unités, se marie;

Unceasingly, sans relâche ;

Speckled, tacheté ;

Please présent, veuillez présenter ;

as well as, de même que.

My deae Friend — Yesterday evening I noticed, not without a little envy, the pleasure with which you joined in the conversation of the French ladies whom I had the honor of meeting at your house. The study of this language has already occupied mtich of niy time, and tiÏL now my success has not repaid the pains that I hâve taken to acquire the knowledge of what is so indispensable to ail well-educated people. I hâve scarcely made any progress, and I always feel the greatest difficulty when I am obliged to converse with French (persons), not only in speaking. but also in understanding them.

Please to inform me as to the means you hâve employé d to acquire so much facility. Give me some good counsel in the choice of a master, and of the method I ought to follow, and receive beforehand the best thanks of your sincère friend.

Occupied much time, coûté iien du temps ;

Inform as to the means, communiquer les moyens;

Beforehand, d'avance, par avance ;

The best thanks of, Vexpression de la reconnaissance.

Answer.

It is with much pleasure that I take up my pen to reply to the letter with which you hâve honored me, and to communicate to you the resuit of the observations to which long expérience has led me. The first and most important of your cares must be the choice of a good master. They hâve spoken to me of Professor M. as one of the best in (de) this town. When you hâve once commenced, do not let a single day elapse without practice in reading and translating, and

C Thunes.

endeavor to form acquaintance with persons \\\\o speak French purely, for they will render you excellent service m correcting your faults. / The study of the rulea is in truth îndispensably necessary, but try Avith that to procure as mucli exercise in speaking and writing as possible.

H you do not succeed in making acquaintance witb French (people) you must seek to make up for the want of conversation byreading dramatic pièces, preferring al firsi the comédies to the tragédies. Àmong the great anmber of dramatic writers who ave the pride ;ui< 1 joy of the French, you ought to choose the works of Molière, Regnard, Delavigne, and Scribe. lu tliis ■ il will fni'l the ose of modem conversation Eaithfully given. For this reason 1 advise you to Learn some of the fines! scènes by heart.

At a rature lime, I will write to you more in détail on this subjeci

I take ap, ....)

To make op for,

Thèmes sur l'emploi de l'article défini.

Charles of Austria, son of Philip the Fair, was master of the kingdoms <>f Spain, tne two Bicilies, the New-World and the Netherlands. < 'omit Pappenheim was at l;ist called ont of Lower Baxony, to strengthen the weakened army and to complète the mie Baxony.— Spanis)] siihst, wool is préférable to I and Saxon. and the Danish

the firsi visited by the ahips of the Netherlanders, I ;-li wool which they brought

back, employed thousands of active hands in l

and Ântwerp Anvers , and already in the middle of the twelfth century Flemish cloth wai in France and (!• rmany. — The queei nd lias

been ai warwith the emperor of China.-

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many gold and silver mines in Mexico, in Peru, and in Brazil.

Lower Saxony, Basse-Saxe :

Netlierlander, Néerlandais ;

At war, en guerre.

The caravan which I joined came from Cairo, and went by Suez to (dat.) Mecca in Arabia. — "VVe were attacked by a nomadic tribe in Désert- Arabia. — Madame de Staël says that in Yenice Tasso's verses are sung by the gondoliers ; the Spanisli and the Portuguese of every class know by lieart tlie verses of Calderon and Camoëns. — Hère îs Poussin's Arcadia ! — Can von say as Corregio did : " I also am a painter !" : — Le Sage's works are a faithful picture of tlie dissolute manners of the reign of Louis the Fourteenth and of the time of the regency. — The paintings of Le Brun are inferior to tliose of Le Sueur and of Poussin. — The éloquence of St. Bernard appeared, in his barbarous century, as one of the miracles of the religion which he preached. — At the end of April, I went to Piedmont over (par) the great St. Bernard. — The holidays which formerly began on St. Bartholomew's day, will commence on that of St. John and will last until St. James' day. — *

The south-wind in Egypt is fatal not only to Europeans, but to the natives ; the northeast wind is not so dangerous, but it causes violent headaches. — The vast country bordered on the (à) east by Germany, on the south by France, and on the west and north by the North Sea, was divided in the time of the Eoman invasion of Gaul between three principal tribes. — Alexander had regular features, a fine ruddy complexion, an aquiline nose, large fiery eyes, curly flaxen hair. — This mask is ridiculous in the (à) highest degree. — • How can he put on at the same time a Roman toga, a Spanish mantle, and a hat in the fashion of Francis I. ? — At Sevrés they make china tea-caddies of the latest fashion. — The church is (à) equally distant

8 Tlibnes.

from the fisli-market aûd froni tlie vegetable-market.

Bartholomew, Barthélémy; \ Fieiy, plein de feu ;

Of the latest f&hion&âans le dernier goût

Italy with its faux) hiiidred princes contrasta greatly with republican SwSzerland. — Paul and Virginia approached âx < the plaiter, who was a tall, thin maii, with deep-sel eyes andshick black eyebrows. — ■ Rice (prepared) with cheese s a favorite dish of the Italians. — Be noi astonishediat ( de) my appetite, I hâve Dot eaten anything to-d»y but a little roll and

11p. — What faille of Lafcjntaine hâve you learnt by hearl ? — The hen with the golden egga. — Ai length, .s.ivs Homer, Aurora with heT rosy fingers appeared — A m:iii with préjudices is always obstinate. Rail* lery ia often only poverty of mind. — Two things en* tirely opposed to each other please us equally, habit aud QOvelty. — Voluptuousness and ricins had su much }>linded Solomon in hia mature âge, thaï he lost lus la) wisdom. -The state lias two forme of renard, money and honora. — Welcome to your new fatherlandl -When one lias .•• headache, or a toothaehe, one ia fit for aothing. — Mr. N. canif to see me at four o'olock, and as he wished me good-day, I perc. îved some embarrassment in him ; he then oonfessed thaï he had noi a penny. 1 lenl him BOme florins, which he promised to eive me back next month. — You

1 drink béer, don't you? Hère is Borne very good, take a glase. A thousand thanks, bul I havi no time. -This flower smells of chocolaté. — Dr. L. haa just arrived.

Thin,

So blinded,

A thoaMad thanks, w (mille g ni-.

1 ii-ll.

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Thèmes sur la suppression de l'article défini.

Unjust gain does not prospër (prov.) — A good name is better than riches (prov.) — Tins unfortunate (mari) sacrificec! eveiy thing to attain his end, money, lionor, friends, religion. — Listen to me, son of Marcus Aurelius, master of the world, tliou canst command that I should die, but not that I should esteem thee. — I am Telemachus, the son of Ulysses, king of Ithaca in Greece. — In the year 1531, they built in Antwerp the Exchange, which was then the most magnificent one in Europe. — The count uoav inhabits the countryhouse or villa which lie has built on the borders of the Lake of Geneva.— J-The park or garden of Montmorency is not situated in the plain. — Between Friclay when the letters generally arrive, and Saturday when they are posted, I oftçn hacl not time enough for the correspondence with which I was engaged. — The shipof-the-line Neptune became a prey to the fiâmes.— - Who has not heard of the wreck of the frigate Médusa ? — If you ever go through Frankf ort do not f orget to see the Ariadne, a master-piece of Dannecker. — "Who has a better right than Frédéric II. to the name of Great ? — Under the prétest of consoling me, the traitor informée! himself o|Btt the circumstances of my misfortune. — Corne J^flP^c after dinner or

after supper, as you like<g '■ B^may be right, but it is yet a question, if you j| J^aot hâve clone better to be silent.

Unjust, ^~ mal acquis ; The good naine, la bonne renommée ;

Do not forget, rû allez pas oublier ;

Be silent, se taire.

JpThèmes sur l'article partitif.

This little treatise throws light upon a people of which other nations hâve no iust idea. — I am con-

10 Thèmes.

vincecl, sir, that you did not hear of my misfortune without sbedding tears. — The ungrateful sou left his motlier without sheddîng tears and without showing émotion. — Thèse are tiue verses, but they are not poetry. — I felt courage and firmness ouly when (que quand) I considered my misfortune as the will of I*royidence.-V-Do not expect hère éloquent words, a holy simplicity is sufficient for my subject. — Au ambitious (man) does not know any other law luit that which is favorable to himself.— Let us not cherish foolisL hopes. — This wfiter describes personsnot ouly of another country, but also of another world. — Show confidence to thoseonly \\ho prefer your good réputation to your favor. --('an battles be fought without Bhedding blood?- We find nowhere that his (own) century nas Bhown against the Duke of Alba that degree of exaspération and oohtempt which it displayed against his predecessor.— A garden-door does oot waiii décorations. — The garden-door being left open, the thief cou] 1 easily penetrate into the house.

To throw Ught, ntaj

Consider,

Cheriab,

bow, timitin r, m r pt rot >:

Ii is remarkable that neither the Araoïans nor the ancients make anymention of Egyptian poets; but what should the Egyptian bave sung <>t".J Be lias neither fresh verdure, nor clear brooks, nor Bolitary groves, he has neither Talleys, hills, nor rocks. — (Justavus Âdolphus preferred to thèse brilliant expectations the welfare of an ally, whom neither meril nor good-will rendered porthy of thaï sacrifice. He who i-> suspected will, whether soit from innocence or from obstinacy, oonfess nothing. -Différent circuxn- Btances afibrd to certain parts of America a climate which contraste aingularly with that < » t* other countries situated in the same latitude.- The Tyrians went to nnknown islands for gold, perfume, and varions animais.— Certain persons study ail their Life, attheii

De V Article. 11

deatli tliey hâve learned every thing except to think, • — With audacity and cunning Hannibal was able another tinie to mislead his enemy.

To suspect, soupçonner ;

To afford, procurer;

Went for. allèrent chercher dans.

Thèmes sur l'article indéfini.

Marras was made consul seven times. — In this hopeless condition Ferdinand was obliged to make Wallenstein commander of ail the impérial armies. — Charles the Fifth was elected emperor in the year 1519. — Xenophon was at the same time (both) author and statesman. — Bossuet is more than a historian ; he (c ) is a father of the church. — Lord N. is not without faults ; he (c ) is wise (subs.J, but he (c ) is a man. — Boileau was to become a lawyer, but nature had made him a poet. — Many men sacrifice the future to the présent. — Our correspondence was interrupted for a number of years. — This magnificent estate contains one thousand one hundred acres. — Never did a nation prépare for war with more prudence. — He made me a présent of 'this picture. — Luther was a German. — What a fine country Switzerland is ! — What an idea ! — Give me the title of this book. — A dictionary by L.

Charles the Fifth, Charles- Quint ;

An acre, un arpent;

The estate, la campagne.

Thèmes sur la répétition de l'article.

Tiras hâve ancient and modem legislators (en) judged. — Eruptions and earthquakes hâve changée! the form of this chain of mountains. — This hymn was sung in chorus by boys and ghis. — The good French writers of the 17th and 18th centuries will always serve

12 Thèmes.

as models. — Everywliere my eyes encountered beautifui and fertile plains, green and luxuriant fields, large and small villages, and rich and flourishing towns. — I bired the 2d and 3d stories of a pretty little house situated on the banks of a river. — Ail nien, high and low, rich and poor, niust suffer and die.

Thu*, c'.±t<tlhd;

To lrirc, louer j

In chorus, en chœur.

Récapitulation.

You roquire, my doar fri«ii<l. that I should give you somewritten détails of my journey through some parts <>f Europe. NY. 11. (eh bien!) L will obey; and if I

cuise you anv weariness it will be your mvn fault. —

You know that my st. }>.s were finit direoted toward tin- h. -rth namely, toward Holland. The steamboata that meet eaeh other on tin- Rhine maintain easy communications between tins country and Qermany. Having, Lasl year, made an excursion to Cologne, and having already seen the finest parts of the Rhine, that magmfioeni oonntry had no Longer for me the charm ofnovelty; I disoovered in Lt however certain beauties

which had i i • the tirst tinie.- -There was in

— el in which I fonnd învself, an English fainiiy who had s] Kiit the whole winter in [taly and in the soiithein Tyiol, and who were going now to the Elague nvr prends -bathing in that noighbor-

hood. Bpêaking English pretty well, I addr< ssed the mother, who tall Lady, with gentle and noble

air, and with engaging manners. We talked of [taly --a [and for which she had a particular predili of tlie poetry of Dante, Tasso, Pefcraroh, Axiosto, and Metastasio; of the picturea of Raphaël, Coït. Michael Angelo, Titaan, et.-.- Her tliree daug although dressed after the French fashion, are known as English. They haye a tall and b1

Genre des Substantifs. 13

figure, a brilliant complexion, blue eyes, long curling hair, and tliose noble and délicate features which distinguish tlie daughters of Great Britain. I travelled with tins interesting family to Rotterdam, a very frequented seaport, and one of tlie richest towns of Holland. I found in its warehouses ail that commerce can furnish — English cutlery, French clotli and silk goods, Irish linen, Japan porcelain, Turkish carpets, Spanish wines, etc. — I spent the greatest part of March in that commercial town, and I embarked in the beginning of April for London, where I arrived on Easter Monday : the following Friday I made an excursion by rail to Windsor.

Through, à travers ;

■ Is easily known, est facile à reconnaître pour ;

■ A slender figure, une taille svelte, élancée ; Feature, trait.

Thèmes sur le genre des substantifs.

The queen is the guardian of peace and justice. — May your pen be the true interpréter of your heart. — I was the only interpréter of the French ambassador. — This governess is an old pupil of the institution of Ecouen. — One of the pupils of the Polytechnic School distinguished himself by his courage in that unhappy battle. — A poor slave was lying in chains upon the ground. — A tyrant will only hâve mute slaves around him. — The landlady made a sign to the landlord, who had not yet seen me. — Poets are no longer prophets.-4-Anna, the prophetess, was one of the first to recognize Jésus as the Messiah. — The palm of the poet is often a martyr's palm. — Madame Dacier was a poor translater of Homer, for she was no poetess. — • My aunt was at the same time my benefactress and my guide. — This man is everybody's dupe. — Rousseau was in correspondence with authoresses. — A magpie was the thief. — That queen was the patroness of the

fine arts and the lawgiver of lier realm. — Madame Catalani was a celebrated singer. — Do you hear that poor singer (fem.) in the street ?

Guardian, conservateur;

Lawgiver, législaù ur;

Patron, . protecteur.

The oak, the tir, the poplar, and the birch-tree are common in tins country.— Near the middle of April some trees begin to bloom and the smiling May scvs them in their beat apparel. — 1 gave, said Caesar, to Decimus, Greece and Lycia ; to Marcellus, Pontna .• to Casca, Syria- The foliage of the white poplar Bhinea in the sun, when a light zéphyr moves it. Unhappy Troj muât fall, Baid Hellenua, son of Priam. — The new Borne reminds us at each Btep of the ancient — Hâve you then forgotten tins Paris, where you enjoyed youraelf so much ? In L803 Hanover was occupied by French troops. Pnisaia lost by the peace of Tilsit nearly half its Btatea. — ] Left the magnificenl I oea) and beautiful Italy for

cold Ruaaia. 0 nnhappy Tyre, into whal handsnast tlnui Eallenl— Bengal aencfa its most beautiful diamonda t<> prond England.

Tr..y.

Apparel. pan

l'ail, ("m

Thèmes sur le genre des substantifs.

Divine love ta the source of ail virtuea. — Gk)d bas

made a law of filial love. There i- qo eternaJ love

• h earth. Gênerons autumn repaid at lasJ the

labors of the vine-dresser.- Do you know anything

Turenne haa acoompliahed ui<'.it things. — Tiie

marriage of thia happy couple was celebrated 3

ilow naany poor people can we Dotcomforl with a couple ofpoundal — What delight do we not enjoj

Genre des /Substantifs. 15

when we consicler tliose we hâve made happy ! — The lightning destroyed the buildings of niy farm. — "Were ail thèse people Christians ? — Certain people prétend to know everything. — What kind of people are they ? — Those who admire everything are usually stupid people. — Thèse are singular people, they promised to awake me and I find them sleeping.-f-Àsk (le) ail honest people, they will blâme you, as I do. — Flatterers are dangerous people. — Not ail élever people are honest. — Pauline is an intelligent child. — This lady lias two daughters, who are very beautiful children, but unhappily they hâve not the good qualities of their brother, who is a very intelligent child.

To cornfort, consoler ; Stupid, sot.

The Koman eagle was of gold or silver. — The eagle which I had seen for a long time flying over our heacls alighted at last upon the edge of a rock. — The first organs which were seen in France, were sent, to king Pépin by the Grecian emperor. — St. Jérôme says that there is at Jérusalem an organ which can be hearcl from the Mount of Olives. — The ell is no longer used in France, the mètre has replaced it. — A fine aldertree stands at the source of this brook.-i-Sacred hymns resounded under the vaults of the church. — A bullet struck the handle of my axe. — Long sleeves are very inconvénient. — This child has a very good memory. — Thèse memoirs are attributed to the count. — The moulcl was broken as soon as the image was complète. — My good services were badly rewarded. — The servante hall (office) was full of domestics. — I shall see you next Easter. — During a short period Greece shared with Borne the dominion of the world. — How harmonious that passage is ! — He was born in the purple and died in chains. — The purple of this Hower is really dazzling. — The anchor had sunk in the mud. This beautiful cup (vase) is a gift of the queen.

Edge, pointe;

Aider- tree, atone;

Pearl barley, orge perlé.

16 Tînmes.

Récapitulation.

I coulil at length satisfy one of mv dearest wishes by making a journey to Switzerland. I left Stuttgart in fche middle of June and went at first to Çchaffhausen, where I saw the celebrated falls of the Bhine, the magnificence of which detained me for a couple of hours in a kind of enchantment. The powerful impression which 1 received cannot be described in words and « as repeated only once, but in quite a diffèrent manner. ît was wh< n 1 heard fche great organ in Fribourg. The fcones of tliat admirable instrument hâve something superhuman. The best organs 1 evei heard are very inferior to this.

W'hat sli.-ill I tdl you "t* fche charming country through which I passedj "t" fche magnificenl view fioin fche top of fche Righi, <>!' the beautiful lakea with their clear waters, of the brilliant glaciers with fcheir eternal snow? \ Ail thèse wonders hâve been so often described by more able pens, thaï 1 will n<-t try your patience by entering into détails. J must, however, tell you tli.it on the road Erom Lausanne to Geneva 1 met one of our old Eriends; it was Henry, who lias Bettled in Coppet, and who lias married a Vaudoise. 1 remained a fêw davs with this h appy couple, who bave two little àaugnters. The elder, who is a rery advanced ohild (<>r her âge, has a remarkably fine voice, and may become a distinguished singer. 1 heard her sing a patriotic hymn with her father, who has a good bassvoice; her mother, an old pupil of Pestalozzi, althouflh not a good singer, lias yet ac« juired a certain réputation as an author*

The MU,

la oata

To detain,

Able,

haï

To hy,

m* tire <i T.

Formation duplur. des Substantifs. 11

Thèmes sur le pluriel des substantifs.

A mimber of birds sang in the hedges. — A thousand little rivulets give freshness to tliis beautiful sojourn. — Wliat is more monotonons than the song of the cuckoo, and more gloomy than tlie cry of tlie owl ? — Happily for the Orientais, the camel (pi.) is a docile animal (pi.) — A simple cross in the churchyard often moves lis more than the monuments in our cathedrals. — The Scotch hâve generally blue eyes and fair hair. — The English admirais hâve more than once found worthy and fortunate rivais amongst the French. — I heard nothing but the voices of the night-birds and of the jackals.i-I prefer the simple balls of the country to thèse niagnificent festivals. — The works of the people are poorly paicl.— I hâve not, like you, the happiness of still possessing both my grandfathers. — ■ The glory of our ancestors does not make ours. — Provence is situated in (sous) one of the hottest climates of Europe. — The heavens déclare the glory of God. — Holland is traversed by canals.

What is, quoi de; Jackal, chacal; Traversée!, sillonné.

It was cardinal Mazarin who introduced the first opéras into Paris. — Ail the Te-Deums which are sung after victories, do not console the mothers for the loss of their sons. — In disgrâce, courtiers are ciphers. — One ought not to believe gossip (pl.)^t-You care too much for the opinion of others (pi.) — -The army was in want of food. — I could never obtain a first prize ; I received only some second prizes. — Washington did not, like Napoléon, belong to those Alexanders and Csesars who so much surpass the rest of the human race. — Madame de Staël was a correspondent of both the Schlegels. — I see around me the ruins of that throne on which the Csesars once sat. — The maie branch of the Hapsburgs became extinct with the emperor Charles YI. — Who has not read of the combat

18 Titanes.

of the Horatii and Curiatii ?— Spain is proud of haring produced the two Senecas. — The two Orloffs plav an important part in the history of Catherine IL— Ail centuries do not produce Huniers and Virgils. — Thèse princes were the Nestor (pi.) and Ulysses of their time

--ip, le oui-dire;

The opinion of othere, le qu'en dira-ton ;

ma prize,

Thèmes sur les substantifs composés.

Tn ail the chief towns of the departments, central

schools hâve been estabhshed.— CauUflowers are a

variety of the oabbage. — Thèse firearms are of the

aker. The fic-pecker is a very délicate little

l»ir*l. — Coxcombs ail hâve a little <>t* the peacock and

of the parrol — Blue-stockings are not commou hère. —

Thèse noblemen belong to the firsl familiea of the

empire.— The national guards were exposed to the

t danger in tint revolt.— He La no longer voung,

and both his grandfathers and grandmothers are still

living. The ambassador asked for his passports. —

Th( 1; ai has a spotted fur like that of the young

We do not attribute any of man's masterpit

: how, th. îi, «-an we believe that he himselfis

»rk ol chan< ou not admire thèse thou-

Bandrainbow8glitteringinthedew? The night-shades

i "i" n onlj in the ni-lit. I wenl oui afternoon to see thèse magnificenl fountains. The rattiesnake is one of the most dangerous of ail sexuel] in the singular the words:

Qutcrackers, toothpick, palisade; and in the plural, cutthroat, store-ci iw-drops, knife-

grinders, alanun? — Tedious negotiations were the forerunners of this war. — The Iroouois were armed wks. Readin^ and walkinp; ai ich skirmishes were i which were to follow. - The two ski

Formation duplur. des Subst. comp. 19

were never found again. — The silkworms are fed with mulberry leaves. — The hummingbird is only to be found in the warmest countries of the New-World. — We saw two splendid dining-rooms in this new hôtel, and engaged three bedrooms for you.

Cauliflower, c7wu-fleur ;

Coxcomb, petit-maître ;

Lynx, loup-cervier ;

Night-skade, belle-de-nuit ;

Rattlesnakes, serpents-à-sonnettes ;

Palisades, les garde-fous ;

Knife-grinder, le gagne-petit ;

Alarum, le réveille-matin ;

Skeleton-key, passe-partout ;

Tomahawk, le casse-tête ;

Skirmisïi, escarmouche ;

Hummingbii'd, V oiseau-mouclie.

Récapitulation.

The hospital of St. Bernaxd is one of the highest places inhabited by human beings. There live nien who, from love toward their fellow-creatures submit themselves to many privations. The dogs, which accompany the monks in their search for lost travellers, possess a marvellons instinct. Thèse animais preceding their masters, scent from afar the unhappy travellers. Often, when the latter are no longer able to move any further, the monks take them npon their shoulders, and, laden with their burden, they reach the hospital, where the unfortunate ones find the most prompt succor. /The gardens of the monks, formed upon little platîorms, scarcely produce cabbages of the smallest kind ; heaven refuses to thèse déserts ail that can render life endurable ; thirty horses are em-

Eloyed to carry wood there, which has to be fetched ■om a distance of several miles.

The road which leads over the St. Bernard is very much frequented ; in the three days I spent there.

20 Thème8.

more than two hnndred persons arrivée!. A nunieroug company composed of forty persons, amongst wliom were two grandfathers, with many grandchildren, great-néphews, and even two great-grandchildrea, passed the night with me on tne summit of that mountain. There were also two English rear-admirals, who were more afraid of the dangers to which they had been exposed on their way, than of ail those they had braved on th»> sea. Tlnv confided (se fier) more is their ships than in the narrow footpath, bordered only in the mosi dangerous places with a pali- Bade, and Erom which the eye looks down into tho deepi st a!\

As we descended 1 1 1 «^ mountain we traversed - I

- that are really of the break-neck kind. We bdwever, happy enongh to escape ail danger. A\'.' ]k rceived before os that beautiful Italy, which is situated under one of the fines! climal the world ; Italv, tho fatherland of the Scipios, of the Pompeys, of the Graochi, and of that family of the 1 under whose sceptre men haveso long bowed

their knees. We rejoiced t<> Bee ail the masterpiecea of art, and feaeted oui eyea on the natural beauties

Boepital,

flai To more any ftnther, • phu loin ;

Pl&tform, >tn terre-plein (c'est-A-dlre

i//i li. u jiUiii (U terre); To lead "vir,

Palii 'ou»;

To i"' ofthe break-neck kiml, An un rosse-cou; To faut ou, nereptMtre de.

Thèmes sur le fem. et le plur. des adjectifs.

Ail parte of our earth hâve at différent times suffered \ i. >l( n t shoeka The respectable Madame de Campan, who directed the institution of 1.

Accord de V Adjectif. 21

a particular reward to the scliolar wlio had been gentle, amiable, obliging toward her companions, respectful to her governesses, indulgent and kind toward her inferiors. She had the permission to plant a young tree in the park. It was a favor eagerly sought by ail the pupils. — French literature, which from its first dawn was naïve and graceful, has become classical within the two last centuries. — The créative hand of God has formed thèse ever new beauties of nature. — High mountains covered with eternal snow separate Switzerland from beautiful Italy.-VWe perceived at a little distance numerous troops of shy gazelles flying before wild beasts. — At this indiscreet question the offended queen remained silent. — The new emperor dévotes ail his time to public affairs.

Times, époques; Shy, sauvage.

Marseilles was founcled by a Greek colony. — Words too frank easily give offence. — The interior beauties of this building do not answer to its exterior form. — A malignant fever was then making great ravages in the south of France. — The favorite drink of the Turkish women is sorbet. — The rose, once so odorous, so briliant, and so fresh, is now only a pale, dry, and inodorous flower. — A foolish pride filled the conqueror's mind after that décisive victory.^ This old lady reminds me of the octogenarian lady whom Montesquieu depicts in such glowing (piquantes) colors in his Persian letters. — The Roman admired the fine blue eyes of the Germanprisoners. — The orange-tree adorns the southern borders of France with its golden fruits. — In Spitzbergen ail the winds are icy. — Thèse beautiful shows were new for me. — Fatal and unforeseen events destroyed the hopes of Louis XIV. — Could any one prefer wild nature to a country cultivated by the active hand of man ? — See thèse fresh and odoriferous flowers, thèse delicious fruits, thèse plains covered with rich pastures or abundant corn ! — How beautiful

22 Thèmes.

cultivated nature is ! — How 3*ouiig, fresh, and adorned itis!

Icy, glacial ; Corn, les moisson*.

Thèmes sur l'accord de l'adjectif.

The arms of Telemachus were polished likc à mirror and brilliant lîke the rays of the sun. — The women of Betika were beautifol and agreeable, but simple, modesfi, and diligent. — My beart and my imagination, said Mad. de Sévigné*, are always occupied with my daughter. — Great and small, rien and poor, are equaj before God. — The man who loves bis country Avili sacrifice his happiness and his life for tho public tranquillity and libertv.-l There axe always eyes and eaw open to discover the faults of the great. — Philip, king <ii Macedon, Bhowed od this occasion a courage and a prudence superior to bis âge. — 0, my king, if you are just, the innocent will hâve nothing t<> fearl — Buffon Baya thaï the Bamojedes live on raw fish and méat. — h Lebrated actor Talma played with a perfeet taste and a noble demeanor.

tika, >i<iliic demeanor,

Thèmes sur l'accord des adjectifs.

Tu this unhappy battle, officers and soldiers dis-

Slayed admirable bravery and intrepidity. — lu his isjiiitt' with Bossuet, Fénelon diaplayed remarkable modération and mildness. The onfortunate man had been bitten by a mad dog or l>y a wolf. — What did it in.it t « i- to the Republic whether (que) Pomp • should be victorious? Nothing is more op-

posed to Christian humility and simplicity than priefe. olanders were covered witn (cfe)

Accord de F Adjectif. 23

the furs of wliite bears. — I bouglit in Lyons very fine but also very dear silk stockings. A troop of cavalry (cavaliers) arined with lances and pistols swam across the river. — The poor giii was lialf dead with (de) fear. — Some savage people plunge their new-born babies into cold water. — Ladies, do not speak so low. — The enemy resisted scarcely half an liour. — Tlie scholar (que) I qufcistioned liad a cheerful and élever air ; she seemed older than the others. — Do you hear the lady who speaks so loud in the next room ? She seems to be in a passion. — Well, young ladies, you seem to be embarrassed.

To display, faire preuve de ;

To matter (i. e., be of im- importer ;

portance),

Greenlander, Qrœnlandais;

To swim across, passer à la nage (au) ;

To resist, tenir bon, tenir ferme.

The sufferings of the unhappy prisoners, who walked barefoot on the snow, cannot be described. — Nearly ail the children of our peasants go bareheaded, and do not feel the worse for it. — The sun turns round on its axis in twenty-five days and a half. — One can exécute nothing with half-measures. — ¥e walked thèse two and a hall miles in half an hour. — As it struck half-past I finished my exercise. — Everything pleases us in the rose, except the thorns. ■ — "We were ail well and cheerful on board, with the exception of two passengers, who suffered from seasickness. — AU the ladies were in mourning-dresses, Maria alone excepted, who was dressed in (de) white. — You will find enclosed the letter of your uncle. —Hâve the kindness to carry the enclosed letters to the poSt. ■ — Supposing contrary winds, the passage from Havre to India may last three months. — A simple coronet of roses was the only ornament of her light-brown hair. — The scholars of the seventh class wear light-blue belts. — The late queen was universally esteemed.—

24 T/ièmes.

His deceased aunt was a canoness. — I fonnd a benefactress in the late Ducliess of B.

To walk, faire, parcourir ;

Sea-sickncss, mal de mer ;

Tolndia, aux Indes;

Light-brown, châtain-clair ;

Canoness, chanoinesse.

Récapitulation.

When I waa npon the (< n) open sea, and had no othei spectacle lmt the quiet sky and sea, I soraetiint's fcook pleasure in taking a drawing of tlie fine, light-gray clouds which Bailed one after the other under the blue heavens. Particularly toward evening, they ezhibited extrême beauty and magnificence, adorning themselves with (de) the most splenuid colore. One evening, aboul liait' an hour after (art.) sunset the trade-wind l'.ll little by little. The clouds offered the aingular aspeot and form <>f a landscape. They Beemed to represent a large country, %\ i 1 1 1 high mountains, Beparated bj deep valleys and crowned with pyramidal rocks; on their snmmits and on theirsides appeared thin mists, like those which rise from the earth, gréai Btreams were flowing through the valleys, and a bridge resting od balf-broken pillars rose oTer one oi tnem; one mighl bave sworn that it rj situated aboul a mile and a hait' from us. Perhaps it was the refleotion upon the sky of a very distant island. More than once inerpe-

1 mariners hâve been deceived by such phenomena.

The open - la \

To take pli prendre jilai-iir;

Blue, </:

Trade-wind. vent aUêi.

Thèmes sur la place de l'adjectif.

»od book La a good friend.- Mary's unole i

bad parent, a wioked man. — The secona and thofourth

Place de V Adjectif. 25

books of the iEneid contain great beauties. — Do not abandon yourself to a blind passion. — A poor blind man, led by a little boy, asked me for {ace.) charity.— Never lias a Greek or Latin ode attained the sublimity of the Psalms. — Charles the Great continually travelled throngh his vast empire. — Green serpents, blue hérons, pink flamingoes embarked on thèse floating islands. — Just heaven will not leave this black calumny unpunished. — Rich people are happy only when they make a worthy use of their riches. — This young count has married a rich heiress. — This faithful friend never left me. — Is this man a faithful and honest servant ? — "Washington acquired immortal glory.— Savage nations love their country better than civilized nations. — This town, once so rich and so proud, is now only a poor and dirty village. This honest man bought for his protégée white bread, and ate hiinself only brown (bread). — What an incredible story y ou tell us ! — This pretended philosopher was soon recognized and unmasked. — Soon the Prussian army departed from the Eussian frontier. — A sad heart seeks solitude. — Who has told you that sad news ? — The princess has a tall and fine figure, very pretty features, and an agreeable voice.

Charles the Great, Charlemagne ;

Flamingo, flammant ;

Once, jadis, autrefois ;

Now only, ne ... . plus que.

Thèmes sur la place des adjectifs.

The last year that I spent in England was marked bymany important. events. — The prince died last year. — A certain uneasiness took hold of me. — Hâve you certain (sure) news to announce to me? — This singer has only a common voice. — Dr. N. was unanimously chosen président of the assembly. — A single picture of this collection costs two hundred and fifty louis-d'or. —The room was entirely empty, excepting one single

26 Thanes.

picture.— Relate to us sorne amusing taie (conte), but

not a ridiculous story like that of yesterday. "With

the aid of a false key the robber penetrated into tbe house.— I tried in vain to open the door, I had taken a wrong key.— Marshal Mortier was a very tall mari. — Napoléon was the greatest man of modem times.— The commoii exterior of Socrates did not at ail indieate a great man.— Do not trust tins dog, la» lias a bad look.— A polite man is engaging.— This nobleman lias spent hait lus life in exile.— Ionly visit honest people. — Last Banunei was t.»,, Cold for the new wihe to be

g l ()n ;l '" jonrneyone drinks différent (new)

i v,]v .lav.— Man is ;l mortal being.— Hannibal i deadly enemy of Borne.

Oommon, commun;

To trust, r;

Is en.- \tpourhii.

Thèmes sur les degrés de qualification.

The re&ding of good booka is like a conversation with the créâtes! men of antiquity, and even a Belect conversation in which khey tlis.Ic^',- t.. osonly th.' beat oftheir thoughts. Battlea were formerly nmch more bloody tlian at présent An bonest man wïll never hâve a botter Eriend than nia wife. AJexanderwaa braver than Philip, bnt the latter was wiser than his s.»n. It is in vain that we aee our dearesi hopes vaniah, we alwaya conceive new <>n, B. The enemy lost more than ten thousand men in this battle, which had however lèse happy conséquences than th.' last. -- Franc- is Bmaller than Rnssia, it is also Iess peopled, for Russia counte more than aixty millions of inhal.itants, bnt France is infinitelv richer in producti

ind, and its commerce is nmch more flonriahing.

Tnrenne was as modes! as he was br wgialal to render their countrymen beti

Degrés de Qualification. 21

Pompey, Crassus, and Cœsar sought to rencler thein worse. — Froni the highest points of the Black-Forest may be discernée! the fertile valley of the Rhine.^— The Bomans themselves declared the Batavian cavalry to be the best in their army. — France, the most dangerous of ail our neighbors, was then enfeebled by war, and still more by internai factions. — The qualities that Philip esteemed the most, and winch he knew best (how) to appréciate, were nnited in William of Orange. — Lamoral, count of Egmont, was of not less noble extraction than William. — Pappenheim, the most terrible soldier of the Anstrian army, was less fortnnate than the cluke of Friedlancl. — Murât was more (a) soldier then (a) general.V-Varus gave the préférence to Hermann's plan, as the' bravest and most brilliant. — The happiest of ail conqnerors is perhaps only the most cnlpable. — Lavater belonged to the small number of men who do not conceal their fanlts. I hâve often heard him speak of the talents and merit of his most violent adversaries, with the same warmth as if he were praising the virtues of his most zealons friends.

To vanish (also to faint), s1 évanouir ;

Black-Forest, la Forêt-Noire ;

Herrnann, Arminius ;

To belong to the small number, être du petit nombre/

To praise, vante?'.

Thèmes sur les degrés de qualification.

The most complète éducation given by the best masters often yields only the poorest results. — It is not impossible, said Montesquieu, that the actions which most dishonored Augustus, were those which served him best. — Madame de Sévigné was obliged to pass the greater part of lier life far away from lier daughter, who was so dear to her. — From philosophy to impiety there is just as much distance, as from religion to fanaticisin.— A slave has only one master ;

28 Thèmes.

the ambitions mau bas as manr as tberc are persona who can promote his fortune.— Holland is not so populons as Belgium. — As intrepid as his master, the horse braves the greatest dangers. — At the news af that defeat the Emperor was so angry, so hirious, that nobody dared to approach him. — Honesty is us selddm in harmony with egotism, as reason with passion. — One must deserve the naine of philosopher as much for one's virfcues as for one's Knowledge.-^- Nothing prevents us more brom being natnral, than the wish i so. — Nothing bo easiîy persuades certain people, as what they underetand the least. — Aman (on) is aol rich as long as he endeavors to become richei than he is,

To i'i

To i adeavor,

The more one loves another, the Iess he mnst flatter

bimA-The greater the miafortune, the nobler it is not

to tet one's self be depressed by it. — The better a mau

is bimself , the Lésa ready he will be to tliink ill oi

others.— "Will y<>u :-'<> to Taris by (par Nancy <>r by