LES GENDARMES

Page 177 —Le Roi [des Montagnes] : Hadgi-Stavros, the

cinef of the highwaymen, and the hero of the storyj 177/ — Gendarmes : Police*soldiers. Gendarmes is

• coxxvpted it om gens d'armes, plural of homme

alarmes. Se gendarmermeua* to get angry, to resist.

177 11 — A toutes jambes : As fast as he could. 177 . 16 — Un coup de feu : A shot.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS— (Continuai.)

The àbsolute necessity that is daily growing for a complète and perfect understanding of foreign languages, and especially of French, lias of late more and more decidedly impressed those who are best fitted to bring about this resuit, with this fact — that their constant attention must be given to the very best facilîties that can be adopted. The work before us is a proof, indeed, of this, for without exception it is the most comprehensive of its class "that could possibly hâve been constructed. It is not enough — although this is of immense importance — that a student should now acquire the most accurate information grammatical teaching can convey. Much morethan this is needful to make him thoroughly versed in the finesse of the French language, which is one of its greatest charms. To obtain this there is only one means to the end — a growing acquaintance with the writings of the best writers, both ancient and modem, but especially the latter — by whom the purest French has been written. . . . Messrs. Hachette and Co. hâve, therefore, undertaken to supply the means for this invaluable purpose, and in the book before us hâve presented extracts from the best spécimens of the writings of the most popular Parisian author of the présent day — M. Edmond About. To hare given those spécimens, however, without note, comment, or explanation, .would hâve been useless ; for an ordinary dictionary — or such others as are in use — would never satisfactorily explain numerous phrases and idioms which it is of the utraost importance to understand, because, without doing so, éducation in this direction cannot but be incomplète, and, being incomplète, will be, for ail practical purposes, useless. MM. Brette and Masson hâve, therefore, applied their comprehensive talent and ability to the elucidation of such peculiarities, and bave so effected the object they hâve had in view as to compel — if we may use such a word — the anxious and studious pupû easily to become the master of difficulties which, without such help, he might otherwise hâve looked upon as insuperable.

" As to the purity of M. About's French there can be no différence whatever of opinion. It is seen at once to be amongst the very best spécimens that can be written, by merely Consulting the text ; but the ail-important value of such an educational work as MM. Hachette hâve provided can only be thoroughly ascertained by a référence to such explanations as the editors hâve afforded. For this very reason, and for numerous others, there can be no hésitation in earnestly reçommending the immédiate adoption of this book in every coilegiate institution, public schools, and firstclass seminaries thrbughout the country — indeed, wherever a comprehensive éducation is afforded."—; BelTs Weekly Messenger.

THE editors of this Reader could scarcely hâve chosen a better représentative of modem French than the lively and brilliant M. About, from whose novels they hâve selected two entire works, followed by striking chapters from two others. They hâve made such omissions as appeared to them necessary for eaucational use, with a view to which they hâve supplied an abundance of explanation and information in admirable notes. Phrases characteristic of the French of the présent day, which cannot be found in ordinary dictionaries, are hère represented by their true English équivalents, and ail allusions and expressions that might occasion any difficulty are cleared up. The remarks upon the etymology of words form a prominent and valuable feature of*the work, which can hardly be too highly commended for its interest, instructiveness, and cheapness. — Athenœum.

Now Ready,