PREFACE. V

ing extracts adapted for acaclemies and classical or other institutions ; and it is hoped that they will be found of equal utility in the instruction of

adrairably calculated to facilitate tlie improvement of leaniers, and as being at the same time replète with iuterest to ail admirers of French Literature." — Literary Chronicle.

" The ' Riijerloire littéraire' is one of the hest-constructed school books we hâve yet seen, and we bappen to know that it is used with the best possible effect.'' — Evangelical Magazine.

" We congratulate the French student on the appearance of a second and much-improved édition of the above verj' useful and clever work. It has been said that none equal the Gerraan scholars in collecting the materiaîs of a Ijook, or the French in putting them neatly together. M. Delille has the merit of combining both qualifications in a higb degree. The collection of the matter must hâve cost liim considérable research, and he has certainly arranged it with ail the fehcity of bis countrymen. This work is of a nmch higher order than the ' Recueils choisis' of former days. To a judicious sélection from the most celebrated writers of France, there is appended a glossary of uncommon words and phrases, as well as a succinct but ven^ accurate notice of every author cited. Indeed the latter property must recommend the book even to the scholar and private gentleman, as there are few writers, ancient or modem, from whom M. Delille has not selected some choice morceau. The chapter on the progress of the French language (which is traced as far back as the ninth century) deserves the attention of the philologist ; and we bave no hésitation in recommending the ^ R'perloire' as not only by far the raost philosophical of French school books, but as a safe and convenient guide to the student of French literature." — The Christian Remembrancer, or Church of England Magazine, for September 1839.

Extrait du rapport fait à la Société grammaticale de Paris. Séance du f> juillet, 1836.

" Le Répertoire littéraire. — Ouvrage fait avec talent et conscience, et présentant un choix très-heureux de pièces en prose extraites de nos bons auteurs anciens et modernes, et enrichies de notes expUcatives sur l'histoire, la géographie, la httératm-e et la grammaire.

" Bernardin de St.-Pierre semble avoir inspiré M. Delille dans la composition de ce recueil.

** ' On apprend,' dit-il, dans ses Harmonies de la nature, ' aux