MUSE FRANÇAISE; Ou, CHOIX DE POÉSIES EXTRAITES DES AU- PRECÉDÉ D'UN ABRÉGÉ DES RÈGLES DE LA VERSIFICATION. À L'USAGE DES COLLÉGES, DES ÉCOLES SUPÉRIEURES ET DES GENS DU MONDE. PAR M. FÉLIX G. CHALAMEL PROFESSOR OF MODERN LANGUAGES. Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci! LONDON: J. B. BATEMAN, 1, IVY LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1858. PREFACE. The diffusion of information on all subjects connected with literature and science, and the consequent improvement of the intellectual faculties, render an enlarged sphere of study essential in the education of youth. An acquaintance with the productions of the truly Poetical genius, not only refines the taste and cultivates the imagination, but also exhibits the language in such a variety of forms and combinations as cannot fail to be of the highest importance to the aspiring linguist whether teacher or learner; with this intention, therefore, the compiler has endeavoured to combine, as in a bouquet, the best specimens which are to be found scattered among the immortal productions of the French Poets, and which are not generally known, in this country, either in a collective or separate form. From the author's acquaintance with several Principals of first class educational Establishments, as also private Tutors, he feels confident that such a work as the present will be favourably received by the English public. To the teacher it affords. the means of directing the minds of his pupils to the study and knowledge of some of the more intricate and elegant combinations of the French language, which could not be found in prose composition, while, to the intelligent student, it presents the most varied and interesting recreation. Although the author of this compilation has restricted himself to a very choice selection of French poetry, he feels assured that the variety is such as not only to instruct, but to be particularly entertaining to those young persons for whose improvement he thus labours; and it will afford him no little gratification if, in his humble attempt, he may impress upon their minds and hearts the love of that which is truly beautiful, engender a refined taste, and inculcate precepts of sound morality. GREENWICH, Feb. 1, 1858. |