PREFACE

The Lectnres pnblislied in tliis work were delivered at Tulane University in 1887 and 1888. My aim was not to make a psychological study of the great authors of the nineteenth century, but to give in concise form a great many f acts not to be f ound in the text-books on Frencli literatnre. I bope that the extracts given and the literary analyses of several masterpieces will induce the students of French to read the works mentioned in thèse lectures; and for this reason, I hâve dared to call the work an introduction to contemporary French Literature. Lamartine, Hugo, and de Musset are without doubt the greatest poets of our century, and de Vigny, Gautier, and Coppée are distinguished both as poets and as prose writers, while Mérimée stands pre-eminent for the force, clearness, and cbnciseness of his style. A careful study of thèse seven great authors gives to the student a good knowledge of the French literature of the nineteenth century, and enables him to understand the works of a number of writers who hâve been the disciples of thèse masters.

The first four lectures were published in New Orléans

vi PREFACE.

in 1887, and were so kindly received that I f eel encouraged to offer them again to the public, with the addition of the lectures on Grautier, Mérimée, and Goppée.

The work being intended as à literary reader for second year classes, I hâve not added any notes, but hâve endeayored 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 id now for the students of French to say whether I hâve sucoeeded in foUowing the preeept of the great Âlrouet.

It is with pleasure that I ac^nowledge my indebtedness to Prof. Adolphe Cohn of Harvard University, to Prof. Eosalie Sée of Wellesley Collège, and to Prof. E. S. Joynes of the University of South Garolina, for many valuable suggestions.

ALCÉE FOBTIER.

TCLAXft TTHItlntolTT or LOX7I8IAKA, TSftW OÉLlAini»

Septomber 1, 189.

SEPT GRANDS AtJTEUES DU 19» SIÈCLE.