rhétorique; see page 75, note

3. licence, examination for a second degree, that is, a degree between bachelor and doctor. It is so called because it carries with it a " license " to teach.

Page 115« — I. agrégation, a compétitive examination for a chair in a lycée and to which generally only those are admitted who hâve passed the " licence ". It is not given by the schools but by the Minister of Public Instruction.

p. 116-128] NOTES 169

Pa^ 116« — I. agrégé, one who has passed the above-mentioned examination. Use the French word in translating.

Pagre 117* — i. eux. The force of this pronoun will be understood if we add a verb in English : Tkey did.

2. le fusil à aignille, the needle gun was the weapon of the German infantry in the Franco-Prussian war. It was considered superior to the French gun which was called le ckassepcU

Page 118« — I. droit devant nous, straight ahead.

Page 119« — I. les congés du Jour de l'An. New Year is a far more important holiday in France than Christmas.

Page 120« — I. lui. The disjunctive pronoun is used because it is not connected with any verb.

Page 121« — I. état-major, staff, is properly used only of the staff of an army officer.

2. Verschuren I. When there are two or more pnpils of the same name they are usually distinguished by numerals according to âge.

3. piquer le laïus, make the address, This bit of collège slang dates from 1804 when the custom of having one of the students make an address was introduced. The subject of the first oration of this kind happened to be Laius, King of Thebes, thus giving rise to the phrase.

Page 122. — i. rEnlëyement de la redoute, a famous story by Mérimée, who is known to many students as the author of ^''Colomba ",

Page 128« — i. Leraillant (i 753-1 824), a celebrated tra vêler and naturalist made two joumeys into the interior of Africa and described them entertainingly.