the language, or is it to be regarded as a course of literature? for in this case only can it prove as useful to a foreigner as to a native, provided he has previously made himself fully acquainted with the language. Another point not to be overlooked in the composition of such a work is, that it should assimilate with the tastes of the country to which the pupil belongs. These considerations, and another, perhaps, of still greater importance, the connection of thoughts, do not seem to have always received in similar compilations the attention they deserve; and so we often see, even in works of education, the whole world of history, nature, art, and industry put under contribution in a manner calculated to distract rather than to concentrate the attention, which cannot but be prejudicial to true instruction; especially so if the end aimed at is the acquisition of a foreign language, where so much depends upon the ready association of words and ideas. Nor is it less objectionable to confine the pupil to a single author, whereby he is restricted to one style, and exposed to fresh difficulties whenever he opens a new work, and, by the absence of all comparison, fails to attain that experience which is indispensable to prepare him for more serious literary study. It is to obviate the defects here pointed out that this volume has been prepared, equally avoiding the two extremes, and presenting to the student, already familiar with the first volume, a second course of instruction, intended more particularly to acquaint him with the language of our own time. In accordance with the views above expressed, the following selections have been made from the most popular authors, and arranged so as to form an uninterrupted series of articles, each one of which is either suggested by the preceding, or relates to it. Far from excluding variety, this plan has af forded the best opportunity of introducing specimens of every style, passing from history to geography, from description to anecdote, from the grave to the gay, and following in the arrangement the easy flow of well-sustained conversation. The articles have been illustrated by notes whenever occasion has offered, either for explanation or for conveying collateral information; and it is hoped that the whole will prove not less instructive than agreeable, that it will be, in short, a kind of literary panorama, affording materials not only for reading, but also for conversation and thought. If it is asked why the writers of the golden age of French literature are here entirely excluded, it must be remembered that the principal aim of this volume is to render the pupil familiar with the modern French, which can only be acquired by the study of contemporary authors. It is when at a more advanced stage of progress, perusing a complete course of French literature, that the student will become acquainted with the illustrious authors which the fiat of succeeding ages has pronounced classical. For the present we would avoid the inconvenience of making him too familiar with the language of Corneille and Molière, which, in our day, would cause almost as much amazement in Paris as that of Shakspeare or Milton in New York. In order to derive full benefit from the study of this volume, the student should faithfully follow the directions given in MEZZOFANTI'S SYSTEM, "First French Reader," with reference to the "Analytical Study" and the "Treatise on French Versification," while the "Dictionary of Idioms, Proverbs, Peculiar Expressions, etc.," contained in the same volume, will fully resolve every difficulty which may occur. NEW YORK, September, 1850. J. R. |