those denoting completed or perfect action, and those denoting incomplete or imperfect action, and the change of name of the past definite to the past indefinite, or aorist, and of the past indefinite to the present perfect, will, it is believed, commend themselves to all who will give the subject a careful examination, in the light of reason, unbiassed by the ordinary nomenclature. Aside from the propriety of calling things by their right names, it may be mentioned, as an incidental advantage, that the difference between the English and French idioms, by which, in French, the pres ent perfect is so often used for the past indefinite, is more impressively taught by this than by any other method. The names of the cases used in some European French Grammars have been preserved in this work. as a large and increasing number of those who study French in this country are more or less familiar with Latin, and to such it was believed that both the etymology and the syntax of the language could be much more clearly and briefly taught by this means, while, for those not familiar with Latin, a brief comparison of the Latin and English cases is given at the beginning of the inflections. must The arrangement of the work is systematic and progressive, the etymology of the different parts of speech occupying Part I., and the syntax of these, in the same order, occupying Part II. This arrangement, together with the complete vocabulary of all the French words to be used in the exercises, the alphabetical list of the more common idioms of the language, and the copious Index, - all of which will be found at the close of the volume,greatly facilitate the labor of both teacher and student. As an initiatory exercise in comparative philology, towards which modern scholarship is tending, and which has made so great progress during the present century, there is added, as an Appendix to this work, "A French, English, and Latin Vocabulary," based upon a work by Gibson, upon the derivation of French from Latin, with additions and changes from Bescherelle's "Dictionnaire National," and especially from Scheler's more recent work, "Dictionnaire d'Etymologie française d'après les Résultats de la Science Moderne." In using this vocabulary it is recommended that the kindred English word and the Latin original of words which occur in the reading lessons be required of the student. The pupil who is familiar with Latin will thus soon acquire the ability to translate nine tenths of the words in his French lesson into their Latin equivalents an exercise exceedingly interesting, and of great service in the acquisition of modern languages; while those not familiar with Latin may readily acquire a knowledge of many common Latin roots by a comparison with their English and French derivatives. To all, therefore, it is believed that this portion of the work will be found both interesting and profitable. It will be borne in mind that this work is not intended to take the place of the living teacher; but in the hands of a judicious and skilful instructor, it is confidently believed that it will prove a valuable auxiliary. Were the author to acknowledge his indebtedness to the different grammarians upon whose works he has drawn in the preparation of this volume, it would be simply enumerating many of the principal Grammars of the French language published in France, in England, and in this country, during the present century. He desires, however, to express his great indebtedness to his friend, Francis Gardner, LL. D., Master of the Latin School, for the generous use of his library, containing many valuable works to which access would otherwise have been impossible, and also for many important suggestions during the progress of the work. BOSTON LATIN SCHOOL, Sept. 1, 1866. PREFATORY NOTE TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION. THE very great favor with which this Grammar has been received by the public has induced the author to spare no pains to insure its entire accuracy, and to render it worthy, in every respect, of the continued confidence of teachers and students of the French language. With this end in view, it has been subjected, during the past year, to the critical examination of M. Bescherelle, aîné, author of the "Dictionnaire National." Some changes and corrections suggested by him have been incorporated into the body of the work; and a Supplement has been added, containing a treatise on Pronunciation as complete as a work of this nature would allow; the inflections, in full, of Negative, Interrogative, and Negative Interrogative forms of Verbs; Passive and Reflective Verbs, and Neuter Verbs conjugated with the auxiliary Être; also an alphabetical list of Irregular Verbs whose tenses are formed irregularly from the principal parts, or are defective, with the inflection of the irregular tenses. In accordance with the desire of many French teachers the author has introduced at the close of the English Exercises a series of Exercises in French from Part I. of his Introductory French Reader. These are carefully graduated and regularly arranged to correspond with the various sections of the Grammar, and are followed by very full and elementary notes and references, and by a Vocabulary of the words which they contain. This portion of the work may be commenced at once, and carried on in conjunction with the study of those portions of the Grammar to which reference is made at the commencement of each exercise. It is believed that these additions will not prove unacceptable to the public, and will tend to lessen materially the labors of the teacher in the class-room. The opinion of M. Bescherelle upon this Grammar, and the supplementary Reader which accompanies it, will be found at the commencement of the volume. SWARTHMORE College (Pa.), September 1, 1869. TO TEACHERS. The author's "Introductory French Reader" and the Grammar should be begun together. The first part of this Reader is a series of French exercises arranged according to the sections of the Grammar; and their use together facilitates the labor of both teacher and pupil. |