PREFACE

This little taie is taken from " Le Magasin Pittoresque " for 1873, a French periodical whose anonymous stories and articles are written by the best authors of the time. A charming yet f aithf ul picture of lif e among honest, industrious middle-class people, the story also gives a vivid idea of the struggles and aspirations of a young artist.

Cleverly told, with sufficient plot and action to sustain a lively interest, full of arch humor and pathos, the taie ends happily and has, furthermore stood the test and proved a valuable aid in the teaching of the French language. Besides ail common ternis and idioms, it includes most of those in ordinary use among artists, and is hence particularly helpful to ail those who expect to visit the art centers in Paris to study there.

The text has been provided with a complète vocabulary, supplying ail necessary aids for class use in schools and collèges. Spécial thanks are due to Mr. V. E. François, of the University of Michigan, for his kind help in reading the first .; proof s of the book.

•ô Nyack, N. y., July, 1898.