formed to aid the masters of the French tongue, not to instruct them. It is next proper to speak of the sources from which the contents of the Book of Versions are drawn. These, it will be perceived, with some exceptions, are the best French Classics, extracts from which have been prepared and adapted to the intended purpose. The reason of the preference is obvious: it is necessary to go to French mind for French expression, and an attention to the one cannot but lead to the acquirement of the other. Neither is there a better way to attract a pupil possessed of the seeds of taste and discrimination, than by convincing him of the pleasure which he may derive from the literature of the language he is studying. Lord Chesterfield's opinion of the inducement is evident, by his using it as an argument to his son, whom he advises to learn French, if only to read Buffon in his native tongue. To give the more effect to these selections, a slight sketch is afforded of a certain number of the best French authors, both in prose and verse. By this means the learner will acquire the standard opinion of their respective merits, as well as be guarded against their defects. The contents of the Book of Versions are, of course, pure and unimpeachable; but it would be vain to deny that genius in all countries is frequently misemployed, and to point out the fact when it occurs, is both useful and necessary. It only remains to be observed, that the Book of Versions is closed with some specimens of French poetry from leading authors, with free translations. When some progress has been made in a language, there is no better way to perfect it than by a comparison of choice passages with good translations. . Madame de Sévigne 43 a Cadi pointed out to a Description of the Horse ib. Caliph the Injustice he The Wooden Leg. ib. Barneveldt 63 Eulogy of Marshal Saxe ib. of a venerable old Man 64 Dialogue between Louis XI. Continuation and Phillippe de Com- Discourse of K.Archidamus 70 Nestor lamenting the Death Shakspeare of his Son 58 Frederic V., K. of Denmark, ib. Description of the Ass 59 Contrast between Religion XII. and Peter I. 00 Continuation 77 . . Probity is the best Policy, 115 Grandeur allied to Benevo- Peter the Great, Emperor The Influence of Education, 128 120 Dr. Benjamin Franklin . 129 Sebastian, King of Portugal,121 Military Education among Henry IV. King of France, 123 Rasselas' Advice to his Arnold de Wilkelried. 136 The dying Soldier . Frederic II. King of Prussia, ib. The Morning of Autumn ; Magnanimity : Greatness On Science 139 Philoctes' Farewell to the To the English Youth ib. John Baptist Languet 155 Reflections on Education, 144' John Howard -Combat de Tureane et -Espoir qu'a Zopire de re- Combat betwixt Turenne -Description d'une Ba- 172 Zopir's Hopes of finding his Elizabeth, and her Realm, 173 Children Reproches de Zopire, et Description of a Battle, and Projets de Mahomet, 174 a Sublime Comparison 179 . . . . –Traduction de l'Ode de -Discours de Phoenix 206 183 -Réponse d’Achille . . 210 -Prière Universelle ib. -Tout l'Univers est un Sys- The Universal Prayer ib. The whole Universe one -Description du Cheval 188 System of Society . 213 Description of the Horse 189 -Discours du Cardinal -Le Bonheur d’Eve . ib. to Cromwell 5 Description of Adam and -Description du Rocher ib. Description of Dover Cliff, 217 -Discours de la Mollesse, 192 -Avis d'un Père à son Fils, Description de l'Idylle, A Father's Advice to his 1. 194 -Soliloque du jeune Dou- Description of the Pastoral, ús. glas dans la Forêt 218 Elegy, and Ode 195 Young Douglas's Soliloquy -Rencontre des Armées de -La Chasse du Cerf. 220 César et de Pompée ib. Stag Hunting Sonnet to Night 199 -A postrophe de Satan au Satan's Speech to the Sun, 225 tion de l'Ecriture . 202 dans une Boutique de -Le Courroux d'Achille ib. Libraire . Invention of Letters de- Description of a Combat in -Discours de Nestor 204 XIX. 234 . . . ib. pey's Armies . . |
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