Little need be said, at the present day, of the importanceof a knowledge of the French Language. It is thekey to immense treasures in literature and science, themedium of communication in European diplomacy, and is,confessedly, an indispensable accomplishment of the moderntraveller and the man of liberal education.
We have, therefore, only to explain the object andclaims of the present work. In offering it to the Americanstudent we have endeavored to meet an obvious wantof a suitable book of exercises in translating from theFrench--to produce a work adapted peculiarly to thewants of American society--calculated to interest as wellas instruct beginners of every age, and suited alike forthe use of private students and promiscuous classes.
After an experience of many years in teaching, we areconvinced that such works as the Adventures of Telemachus,and the History of Charles the Twelfth--despitetheir incontestable beauty of style and richness of material--aretoo difficult for beginners, even of mature age.Such works, too, consisting of a continuous narrative,present to most students the discouraging prospect of aformidable undertaking which they fear will never be completed.
On the other hand, a mere book of fables, althoughfree from the last objection, is, in general, too narrow inits scope to fulfil the desired end.
To avoid the difficulties and secure the advantagesmentioned, we have chosen the Fairy Tales of CharlesPerrault and Madame de Beaumont. The departmentof literature thus sought as the means of instructionin language, supplies, as our own experience has amplydemonstrated, agreeable and attractive material for beginnersof all ages and conditions.
The works selected are acknowledged to be admirablemodels of grace and purity in French composition, whilstthe simplicity of style encourages the student by soonmaking him conscious of progress. The subjects offer atonce attractive novelties for the young and agreeablerelaxation for the mature.
In conclusion, we have only to remark that the difficultiesof the French idiom are explained by notes neithertoo scanty, nor yet so numerous as to embarrass; andthat a few expressions, inconsistent with the decorum ofAmerican taste, have been carefully expurgated, without,as we hope, diminishing the interest of the subject or impairingthe style.G. GÉRARD.
Philadelphia, Nov. 1858.