SCOTT, FORESMAN AND COMPANY

CHICAGO i NEW YORK

PREFATORY NOTE

Clemenceau as a writer is little known in this coiintry, for the statesman has eclipsed theman of letters. Thereare, however, reasons for recommending Clemenceau as a mode! of French style, and they will be found in the Introduction to this book. Several things contribute to make him a master of the French language, foremost among which are his straightforwardness, his vigor, the convincing energy of his writings, and the fine mobility of his mind. Classicism means sanity, health, and vigor, according to Goethe. . If this is true, Clemenceau's writings may well be found to be classic, the work of a sound and robust Frenchman.

Besides thçir literary merits, Clemenceau's writings hâve a very important historical meaning. He is certainly one of the most eminent and représentative Frenchmen. From 1870 to 1918, in the course of his long career, as a man, as a statesman, and a ruler, Clemenceau embodied French history in his person. From Sedan to the Marne and after, during that critical period, his speeches, articles, and gênerai writings mirrored the best aspirations, the faith, and the will-tolive of France.

Clemenceau as a teacher of French history deserves attention as well as a teacher of the French art of writing. Through the pages of the présent volume not only Clemenceau himself but France wiU come to be better known. Hence the title of the book, Pages Françaises.

The extracts wiU be found of graded difficulty. Parts I and II are good spécimens of intermediate French and may serve as a préparation for the more abstract and difficult Part III, designed for the more advanced students. Part

6 PREFATORY NOTE

IV, whîch chronologîcaJly cornes last, îs also of întermediate difficiilty. Though abstract, Clemenceau's rhetoric is never mère déclamation. There are always substance and nerve tmder the words he so lavishly uses.

Sufficient historical and grammatical notes are f urnished at the end of the book to help the student overcome his more serious difficulties. Clemenceau's writings will afford an excellent opportunity for the English-speaking students to match, with English words and constructions, the pungency and picturesqueness of the French. Many passages bave thus been translated as a guide and a suggestion to that end.

Teachers will find copions matter for exercises and questionnaire in the geographical and historical allusions in the text and the notes concerning French lif e and history.

The picture showing Clemenceau at the front with Marshal Foch has never before been published. . We owe it to the courtesy of Professor R. T. Holbrook of the University of Calif ornia.

Spécial thanks are due to Professor Christian Gauss of Princeton University, who suggested the editing of the présent volume.

Régis Michaud.

Berkeley, March, 1921