VI PREFACE

in 1887, and were so kindly received that I feel encouraged to offer them again to the public, with the addition of the lectures on Gautier, Mérimée, and Coppée.

The work being intended as a literary reader for second year classes, I hâve not added any notes, but hâve endeavored to make the style simple and easy. In writing this little book I hâve had always in mind Voltaire's saying: "What is not clear is not French"; it is now for the students of Erench to say whether I hâve succeeded in foUowing the precept of the great Arouet.

It is with pleasure that I acknowledge my indebtedness to Prof. Adolphe Cohn of Harvard University, to Prof. Rosalie Sée of Wellesley Collège, and to Prof. E. S. Joynes of the University of South Carolina, for many valuable suggestions.