AYIS SUR CETTE ÉDITION
Parmi les grands écrivains qui honorent notre littératnre, il en est peu dont les œavres aient été aussi fréquemment repro* duites que celles de Baeine. Les grammairiens, les critiques et les commentateurs littéraires, ont depuis deux siècles étudié aes compositions scéniques pourychorcberles uns des modèles de stylo, les autres le modèle de Part et du goût ; et les nombreux travaux dont ce poète à jamais célèbre a été l'objet, noua imposaient de grandes obligations ; aussi nous sommes-nous efforcé de rendre irréprochable Péditiou que nous publions aujourd'hui.
Nous avons donné d'abord toutes les préfieuies, parce qu'elles forment l'indispensable introduction des pièces ; qu'elles en contiennent souvent l'analyse et l'examen, et que Bacine y développe avec la supériorité de son génie ses théories esthétiques.
Nous avons aussi reproduit toutes les variantes, parce qu'on voit là les premiers essais du poëte, le travail de son goût dans le choix des mots, et son constant effort pour approcher autant que possible de la perfection. * * * Comme toigours, nous avons fait prédominer le commentaire moral et psychologique, et en rapportant à l'occasion le jugement des contemporains du poète, à partir du grand Gondé et de madame de Se vigne, nous avons suivi, en ce qu'ils ont de plus saillant, les travaux des critiques et des historiens littéraires, depuis Racine fils, jusqu'à messieurs Sainte-Beuve, Nisard et Saint-Marc Girardin. On a de la sorte, dans le blâme et dans l'éloge, l'écho fidèle de l'opinion dans un espace de près de deux siècles.
Ainsi, notre édition off^, jusque dans les moindres variantes
B00K8 PUBLI8HK0 BY BOK LOOKWOOD A SON.
et les moindres fragments, tout ce que Bacine a écrit pour le théâtre, et sous une forme concise tout ce que Thistoire litté- Twre s dit de plus essentiel sur ce théâtre lui-même.
Œnvres Choisies de Jean Racine : contenant Bajazet, Andromaque, Iphigénie et Ësther. 18mo. 63 cts.
It lias long been désirable that the works of this great poet ghould be iised in our schools as a reading-book ; but as his writings are too voluminous for that purpose, a proper sélection of his best pièces has been made. This sélection tbe éditer trusts wiU prove acceptable to ail instructors and professors of the French language, as weli as to ail interested in French literature.
It is printed with great accuracy, thus romoving the usaal objection to the éditions of French works publishéd in thia oountrj.
De l'Allemagne, par Mme. De Staël. 12ma 6S8 pp. $1.20.
This has been considcred the moat popnlar of Mme. De StaëPs works, and has always snstained a high literary réputation.
Presenting an interesting and truthful Description of Germany — the Manners and Customs of the Germans — their Literature, Arts, and Sciences — Views of Philosophy, Morals, and ï&eligion — and thus combining instruction with the study of the language, it is pre-eminently adapted for an advanced dass-book.
Aventures de Qil Blas de Bantillane, par Le Sage. 12ma 826 pp. |1.20.
It has for some time been a matter of doubt whether the ^^Adveniuresof OU Blaa''* was the work of a Spanish or French writer; but we believe it is now generally conceded to be tbe production of the latter.
Although not free from objections for indiscriminate use, yet it has always been considcred a désirable book for tranalation, from the fact that, consisting as it does of a séries of
BOOKS PUBLI8HED BT ROE LOCKWOOD <b SON.
narratives abounding in colloqiiial exprcsBione, and belng oonnected very indirectly, the reador is not wearied «s lio woald be by a leogthy Atory, the interest oontinuiog an tho scène changes.
Fables de La Fontaine. 100 engravingB. 18mo»
63 cts.
La Foutaine^s beautifiil Fables are known to every French ficholar, and are admirably adaptod to bo used as a book for translation.^
£ach fable is folio wed by its appropriate moral ; and thus just principles, in a picasing manner, are inculcated into tU$i niind of *^hc reader while engaged in his study.
Atala, Héné, par Cliateaubriand. 12mo. 60 cts.
The' beauty of Chateanbriand^s writings bas ostablished for him a high literary repotation.
This Utile work haa always been oonsidered the most popular of his minor productions, and was originally a part of the " Génie du Christiauii«me,'' althoagh latterly it has beeti generally published in a separate form.
It was writtcn, as the aathor says, ** in the wilds of America, and nnder the tents of the savages,*' and the incident on wliich tho story is founded is mentioned in his '^Voyages en Amérique."
It is printcd i¥om the aathor^s last édition, and in a large oicar type, and the Publishers hope that it will meetwith favor ta a school Beading Book.
Paul et Virginie, par B. de Saint-Pierre. 12ma 60 c
" This most delightful work is too favorably known to require any recommendation from us. The beauty and simpIloHy of the style, together with the interest of the story, hâve always rendered it a Ikvorite with yomig persons. We trust that the présent édition, intended for schools, will meet with gênerai acceptance."
The eame work, with a FuU and Correct Vocabulary of ail the Words and Idiomatic Expressions oontained in
BOOKS PUBLISHED BT BOB LOCKWOOD «b SON.
the book ; also Interlinear Translations, both free and literal, of the first few pages, ifith the PronunciatioD of the French indicated by ËngUsh sounds. 12mow 63 cts.
BUaabeth, ou ZaSB Esdléa de Sibérie, par Sâbne. Cottin. 12ma 60 cts.
** The incident which gave rise to this hîstory îs fonnded in truth. No imagination, however fertile, could prodace aotioQs 80 heroic, or sentiments so noble and elevated. The heart alono could inspire them. ♦ * ♦ Anthors liave freqnently been accused of representing the beauties of virtne yg'ith too bold a pencil and in colors too vivid. Far am I, however, from presuming to insinaate that this criticism is applicable to myself, who possess not the abilities reqaisite to atttùn this brilliant thoogh créative talent; nor do I conceive that it is in the power of the most éloquent author, by ail the studied embellishments and décorations of langaage, to add a single charm to the innate beauties of virtue. On the contrarj, she is in herself so far superior to the adscititions aids of ornament, that it would rather appear impossible to describo her in ail her native dignity and loveliness. This is the chîef diiHoalty I hâve experienced in writing £lisabstb." — TranêlaHon qf l63s£ract/rom Author'a pre/ace.
The aame work, "with a FuU and Correct Yocabulary of aU the Words and Idiomatic Expressions oontained in the book ; also Interlinear Translations, both free and literal, of the first few pages, with the Pronunciation of the French indicated by English sounds. 12mo. 63 cts.
Converaational Phraaea Claaaified, or French 8ynonimea, by J. la. Mabire. 16mo. 46. cts.
Most of the Guides to French Conversation heretofore pub-
lished in this country hâve been merely collections of certain
conversations on speciiled subjects, which, unless they were
ngain to recur in the précise form of the lesson, would be ol
