The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-20 00:00:00

LONDON,

LITERATURE.

LESSONS IN FRENCH. New Edition.
John Cassell,

Fourteen or fifteen editions, of a thousand each,
have already declared the popularity of this re-
markable introduction to the French language. As
among those who aspire to witness the extension of
education among the masses, we cannot, of course,
but rejoice in a fact of this almost unprecedented cha-
racter, evidencing as it does the readiness of the in-
dustrious members of the population to avail them-
selves of the appearance of any really valuable ele-
mentary composition. Added to this consideration is
another, which we readily acknowledge—that of
gratification in witnessing the fulfilment of our
predictions, and the justification of our panegyrics in
reference to this " Se.rics of Lessons in French." Im-
mediately the publication fell under our notice we
took occasion to commend it to those who
were ignorant cf the French tongue, and
who were at the same time anxious to dissipate
the clouds of that ignorance. It is, therefore, we
admit, peculiarly satisfactory to us to witness the ex-
traordinary verification of what we then observed in
reference to the capacity for achieving a success dis-
coverable in the merits of this production. We re-
cognised in it a novelty and a lucidity of a really
admirable description. The manner in which the
very difficulties of pronunciation were obviated by a
kind of phonetic system of explanation, appeared to
us to present advantages of a wonderful kind to such
as were unable to procure tutors for themselves, in
consequence of the restricted nature of their circum-
stance,. Portioned out, moreover, in divisions, gra-
dually unfolding the whole of the intricate system of
the language,
the lessons seemed eminently qualified
to render apparent to the most mediocre understanding
what must, underany other scheme, have proved exqui-
sitely- bewildering, if not altogether incomprehensible.
The writer manifestly placed himself at starting im-
mediately on a level intellectually with the unin-
structed multitude to effect whose educational ad-
vancement he aspired. In this manner he adroitly,
introduced bitmelf at the very outset to their conti-
dynce by making his words clear to their apprehen-
sion. They have nobly and touchingly responded to
his appeal, and already many hundreds of the poorer
classes may with truth be said to owe to the author
of this little book the delights of having conquered
the difficulties impeding the acquisition of the French
language. To have accomplished this is surely to
have effected a very beautiful and enviable achieve-
ment. It is, therefore, from an appreciation of the
value and excellence of the work here successfully
issued at a trifling cost to the community, that we
are peculiarly gratified to announce the fact of its
continual republication.

MANUAL OF THE FRENCH LANGUAGE.

John Cassell.

Encouraged by the public approbation accorded to
his previous volume, the author of the above " Les-
sons in French" has produced a second of a somewhat
more ambitious, because more comprehensive charac-
ter. It purports on its very title-page to be not
merely a manual of the French language, but a
guide, also, to French literature. Nor is it incor-
rectly so designated. An exaaiination of the contents
assures us how admirably the book is calculated to
effect all these advantages for the student in the
Gallic tongue, containing, as it does, a grammar at
the commencement, followed by lessons for advanced
pupils, and then again by exercises, the whole being
completed with a series of examples of an instructive
and entertaining description. The grammar, by the
way, is singularly clear, though constructed
upon a somewhat narrower scale, of course,
than that of Levizac, or that of Yen-
toulliac. Appended to it, moreover, is a manual
of a truly inestimable character to the student, pre-
senting to him consecutively miscellaneous dialogues,
railway and inn dialogues, and most of the idomatic
phrases in the French language. The lessons and
examples with which the work before us is brought
to a conclusion are not the less likely to prove advan-
tageous, as affording means for instruction, from the
circumstance of their being as entertaining as a col-
lection ,of anecdotes and witticisms. We doubt not
the second of these elementary books will prove
worthy of being a companion to its predecessor.

AGATHA BEAUFORT ; or, Family Pride. By
the Author of " Pique." Smith and Elder, Cornhill.

This is a most attractive book, combining the ro-
mance of foreign tales with the interest of every-day
life. Some of the chief characters are Italian, and
they are ably sketched ; their passionate feelings,
their jealousies, their excitable temperaments, and
their wild imaginations are all shadowed forth with a
masterhand. Agatha, the heroine, is a most original
creation. She is older than are most personages se-
lected to shine in the pages of fiotion, but that cir-
cumstance completes the truth and accuracy of the
description. Her pride was, indeed, her greatest
enemy, and proved her ruin. Truly does the author
depict the awful extent to which may be carried that
sin "by which the angels fell." Margaret, the
only pleasing lady, was placed in the most unfortu-
nate circumstances for a young and lovely girl, but
under the influence of high principle, and supported
by reliance in the right cause, she triumphed over
surrounding enemies, and finally was the means of
restoring peace to a distracted family, and happiness
to a deserted home. The following is a description of
the heroine :

" The most faultless model of Grecian sculpture could
scarcely surpass Mrs. Beaufort's features in symmetry and
delicacy of outline, but the brilliant colouring of her
still lovely face had vanished, and the white cheeks and
pallid, careworn brow told of deep mental suffering, an
expression of suppressed pain and restless watchfulness
lurked in her dark lustrous eyes, once radiant in the
proud consciousness of that matchless beauty which
bowed adorers at her feet. Her magnificent hair, which
in earlier days almost swept the ground in its rare
luxuriance, was now gathered under a small simple cap
of white lace, and many a silver thread streaked the
smooth bands resting on her temples, the gown of rich
black watered silk displayed the perfection of her
queenly figure ; lace, and a thin gold chain, encircled
her neck.