PREFACE
In studying a language, it is essential to have correct and elegant examples for imitation; and the examples must be such as offer both interest and entertainment to the pupil, in order that his attention may be awakened and maintained.
Keeping this object in view, my aim in forming the present compilation has been to present to the youth of England a series of extracts from the most eminent writers who have adorned French literature, from the age of Louis XIV. to the present period. The greater part of these extracts have been selected from authors belonging to the present century, for the purpose of making the student acquainted with the French language as it is now spoken and written; and their arrangement in a chronological order will serve to demonstrate the great idiomatic changes
wt hich the language has undergone within the last
O thirty or forty years, as may be perceived in the writings of Chateaubriand, Lamartine, Victor Hugo,
< Dumas, and others.
yy This compilation begins with a selection of more simple and easy pieces for beginners, to serve as an introduction to the body of the work
iv PREFACE.
A few scenes from the best of Moliére’s Comedies have been added, with the view of familiarizing the student with idiomatic expressions; and the volume closes with a selection from the best French poetry, intended for the use of persons who have already attained some knowledge of the language. These extracts may be used for recital with great advantage, as being undoubtedly one of the most efficient means of acquiring a correct pronunciation and accent.
I hope it is almost needless to mention, that in the selection of extracts care has been taken to introduce none into this volume but such as have a good moral tendency.
ADDISCOMEE, June, 1854.
Aunt Hannah, ; Died in a Spasm
Of Acute | Chronic Altruism !
TABLE DES MATIBRES.
‘ PAGE PAGE Le Loupet le jeune Mouton... 1 | Dix mille livres derente . 22 Mieux que ça … ... ... 1 | Le déjeuner de Napoléon ... 24 La Mère et la Fille … . & | L’homme au masque defer... 26 Description de la Bétique 4 | Mme de Sévigné à M. de Trait de dévouement de deux Pompone .. 28
Nègres eve 6 | Les Religieux du St. Bernard 29 Le jeune Bacchus et le Faune 9 | Le Dragon et les Renards ... 30 Les Buissons ... … 10 | Le Grondeur et son Valet ... 31 La Justice et la Charité .… 12 | Les Salles d’Asile 33 Un monastère du Mont-Liban 13 | Mort d’Epaminondas... ... 35 Les enfants du naufragé ... 15 | Charles-Quint et les Brigands 87 Lettre sur la mort de Turenne 20
Bossver, Notice .. 39 FENELON — continued.
Condé à la bataille de Rocroi id. | Télémaque visite les | Champs Les Romains … ...° ... 41 Élysées 49
, . Massrcox, Notice 54
Fénecon, Notice .. 45 De l'existence de Dieu tb. La ville de Tyr et les Phé- Destinée de l’homme … . 56
niciens coe = ose ee 2. | De la vie humaine …. «.. 57
VorTAIRE, Notice .. 58 Burron, Notice ~» 75 Bataille de Narva... ib, | Be Chien oo Défaite de Charles XII à Pul- vem
tava... ... … 63 J. J. Rovsssav, Notice 81 Charles XII à Bender ... 67 | LeDud wb.
Guillannie III et Louis XIV 7g | Bonheur de J. J. dans la sol 93
tude eee eee eee eee
PAGE BartHetemy, Notice. 87 Epaminondas ... ose eee 1b.
Combat des Thermopyles ... 90
Marmonrzt, Notice .. 95 Bélisaire dans un chateau de
la Trace. ... toe … 00.
Tuomas, Notice -. 99 Destinée des grands hommes 0.
vi TABLE DES MATIÈRES,
PAGE B. pe Sr. Pierre, Notice 101 La Solitude... vee wb.
Un naufrage à l’Ile-de- France 103
Consolations adressées à Paul après la perte de Virginie... 105
La vie d’un Paria dans l’Inde 108
FLozran, Notice .. 113 Guillaume Tell: ves … 10, Rome guerrière eee wee 127
Mae pe Srakz, Notice 130 Saint Pierre de Rome... eos 10.
La terre de Naples ... ... 184 Venise ... se ove we 141 La gloire de l'Italie ... … 142
J. DE MAISTRE, Notice 148 Une nuit d’étéaSt. Pétersbourg 16.
Vozxeyx, Notice ..- 150 Les ruines de Palmyre … tb,
