PREFACE

Iv some degree of praise has hitherto been freely given ^ every publication tbat had for its real object tbe instruction of ivoutfa, tbe présent attempt, in wbich tbe autbor's design ha» been to miogle information witb amusement, to instil into tender minds tbe principles of morality, to train them up in the babits of Tirtue, mav at least meet witb'some indulgence ; and if tbis end be olosely pursued, any smaller faults in tbe exécution, tbough tbe^ may not be wbolly overiooked, may probably escape tbe severity of criticbm. Under tbe disgnised form of translations, tbe auibor bas endeavoured to excite, in tbe mind» of yonog people, a' iteady attention to erery tbing tbat is praisewortby, and an utter disapprobation of tbe fasbionable ibllles of the présent times. From tbe best writers be hjÊa flelected the most striking and en|;aging anecdotes of good meo, Yirtuous princes, impartial magistrates, loyal subjects, affectionate husbands, indulgent parents, dutiful children, and sincère friends ; to which be bas added some bistorical and moral taies.

Tbat a book of tbii kind was necessary, and wonld be rtry useful to leamers, bas oftenoccorredto bim in the courte ofhi» profession at. a teacher. It seems most nataral tbat the Engliâh scholar shonïd beein with translating French into bis native tongue, and contmue tbis practice for some time before be attempts to tam English into French, which would be next to impossible till he had treasured up in bis memory a number of wordS) and gained some acquaîntance witb tbe iëioms and particular phraseology of the French langoage. To assist the yonng pupil in tbis mode of study, and to save him tbe trouble of re^rring every moment to a dictionary, which be does not a» yet know bow to use, he bas introduced in tbis collection a Mneral and particular table of words, and their signification» in English, which, by removing the difficulties, will equally a»- ,sist both teacbers and scbolars.

The gênerai table contains the words wbich most frequentlr présent themselves in tbe course of tbe translations, and (9 placed at tbe beginning of tbe book : it would be no small ad- ▼antage to tbe learner if tbe wbole or the greatest part of the words in tbis table were made familiar to bis mind before he begins to translate. In tbe particular table, which is placed immediately at the bottom of the page to wbich it refers, ail proper names, and those written thé same as in English, are emitted^ unlest the- latter bave a dîfEerent signification in the

IV FKEFACE.

ganse in whicfa thej are used. In order to exercise the memoiy of learners, it has been thought proper to omit by degrees, in proportion as they are supposed to improve, every word that bas been previoasly repeated above tliree or four tîmes.

It was not possible to gîve so literal a translation as might hâve been done ; bot the schoiar, after translating literally, may render it into élégant EngKsh, and by this method, be accnstomed to write his native language with pority and précision. It was likewise impossible to attend to any particular arrangement of the différent tracts, as the compiler bas endeavouredto Î;ive in the beeinninz the easVest, and those of a moderate length. B short, he flattershimself that the collection hère offered to a gênerons public, possesses many advanta^s over other productions of this kind, and that it will'meet with approbation. The hope of making it truly uaeful and' amusing to youne people was his sole motive lor publication : if it meets witn success, his wish is answered ; more than this he neither expects nop desires.

The author, grateful for the very favourable réception which the former Editions of this Collection bave met with, bas been excited to enlacge thb Edition, in which great pains and atteation bave been employed, still jfarther to deserye a continoatioa of the public approbation.

Ai/redrHoute, CamberweUf July, 1799.