BY MONSIEUR ROLLIN, B.A. PROFESSOR OF ANCIENT AND MODERN LANGUAGES, ETC. ETC. LONDON: WILLIAM TEGG AND CO., 85, QUEEN-STREET, CHEAPSIDE. MDCCCL. EDITOR'S PREFACE. To add one word of eulogy to the high and well-deserved reputation enjoyed by the works of M. de Lévizac, both in England and in France, would be a work of supererogation. In England, the learned author's Grammar of the French Tongue has been universally adopted as the model for our most celebrated scholars to follow, bearing, as it does, the impress of sound practical knowledge, a perfect command over the various subjects treated of, and an elegance and purity of diction in its exercises, that indeed justify the French Academy in pronouncing him one of the best French grammarians, and of which no greater proof could possibly be afforded than their frequent quotation of him as a most competent authority. To base, then, a work, containing the modern alterations and amendments introduced into the French language, yet at the same time preserving the original Rules, Practical Examples, and Definitions, upon so fair a foundation, must evidently be safe. It has also been deemed expedient not to deviate from the subdivision of the Elementary part of the Grammar from the General Syntax, and of the General from the Particular or more difficult Syntax. The Author, approaching his subject with the respect and reverence due to its importance, has laboured care fully and minutely to point out and explain every difficulty which the student is likely to encounter in his progress, and, by the addition of Rules and Observations of the highest importance, to leave his mind free from all doubt or hesitation as to the proper course to pursue. A large space has been devoted to the practical method of insuring a correct Pronunciation of the French Tongue, a subject of the very first consequence, and one that is absolutely necessary to be well understood by the learner, to render his study and attention of extensive benefit. For this reason, great pains have been taken to inculcate this knowledge on his mind, and the principles laid down will be found invaluable aids in arriving at perfection. The Vocabulary inserted in the work will prove of the highest utility in writing out the exercises, and its usefulness is much enhanced from the gender being attached to each word. Numerous Moral Exercises, more consonant to our present parlance and customs, have been introduced, with a view of perfecting the work, and of accustoming the mind of the youthful learner to the phraseology of every-day conversation. The difficulties which present themselves from the frequent clashing of the two languages in their construction, have been maturely considered and observed upon, and the difference between the idioms of both tongues, a subject of some magnitude, so disposed of as to prevent and obviate the errors into which the learner would otherwise fall, from a literal translation. Phrases illustrating some of these difficulties, are placed at the end of the Work, and these will afford practical proofs of the points in question; the references to the Remarks made on these subjects in the body of the work, will also materially assist the pupil. Some useful alterations have been made in the general arrangement of the Work, calculated to lead the student gradually on his path, from the simplest to the most intricate portions of his study. The typographical department has been carefully attended to, and the substance of the Rules and Regulations clearly pointed out by Roman or Italic characters, as the case required. As it is highly necessary that the pupil should not only be made acquainted with what he has to acquire, but should also have facility afforded him for immediately turning to any remarks on a particular subject, a copious classified Table of Contents has been affixed, embracing under separate heads every thing of the least utility, and so ample that it may be well termed a Résumé détaillé of the whole Work. In these days of "literary precocity," when science, developing its mighty attributes, brings distant regions to our own thresholds, as it were, and a visit to our neighbours on the other side of the Channel has become a mere summer's day excursion, it is not extraordinary that attempts should also be made to propel the human mind. at an analogous rate, and that we see gigantic notices of French without a Master, and French learned in Six Lessons, announced in our public journals, and exhibited at every market-cross. That, from the commercial and scientific relations which this mighty country maintains with the whole world, a perfect knowledge of a language so widely disseminated as that of the French, is of paramount importance, no one will be hardy enough to deny; but we would warn the student against the fallaciousness A 2 |