Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-07-14
Address on the French Language,

u by enumerating all the advantages, and hold ing
torn erery satisfaction, which accompany
the knowledge OF the French language. Its use and
beauty are now universally acknow lodged. The rner-
chant, the politician, The military, or the man of
science; all equally interested in cultiyatng it:
and to women, both here and through the whole of
Europe speaking that language luenty is an ipdis
pensabe criterion of polite education, aud of n
respectable standing. In Greece Italy, Spain, G er-
many, Russia, IN every country of the European con-
| tiuent well those bordering on the Meditcr
ranean, and the kline; in short throughout the whole
mercantile, political, and scientific world, man 10
make himself understood needs but speak the French
language. This universally of the language is not
a phenomenon, but proceeds from causes easily com.
pretended. During the earlier centuries of our era
the French, Franks, held the balance of power in
Europe This they effected by force of arms and still
more by 1'oiatic adherence to the Church of Rome
for, early the beginning of the eighth century
find Charles Marte sly ling himself the DelivereI
Of ChrstendCn, and we him, with tho consent Of
the Pope, depose the King and assume the dominion
France. His grand sou, Charles the Great, conquers
Italy Germany, and the greater part of Spain; forces
the Germans to embrace Christianity, aud in 500 is
crowned Emperor of Rome. The principal events
that have been conducive to the restoration of polite
ness and learning among the moderDs, have had their
birth with the French. i was there lat the crusade
trst originated: circumstance which BY bringing
together the greatest monarchs, princes and all the
principal nobility of the age. gave occasion for that
emulation TO excel in manners bravery, and even in
passion which marked the peculiar character of those
first had appropriate character and il is in the
cultivation Of the language of Provence and in the
songs of the Troubadours that we perceive the first
dawning of modern literature. Lastly, whilst from
generality OF similar 10 those already stated on
tue dsuse OF the Latin, the French having become the
language OF diplomacy and of science, had long ago
made the acquiring o! 1t necessary branch ofacadc-
mical aud polite study, the late revolutions in Europe
have made the common among the people
Consequently, and if yvha, have just stated is adj
United 10 be correct, the next truth tina. presents it,
SELF the most Important is that the study of this
language should begin at an early a.e when both the
organs of speech and memory flexible; for then
and then only will the student acquire correct ~
nuncaton. and the habit of speaking it uently: The
young scholar will then 18th the practi
cal knowledge OF language which TO acquire at la Ell
period would demand great abour and call for almost
daily intercourse with French society; and even then
have perhaps but n very unsatisfactory result
As example, If may be permitted 10 cite mvse
as one. was sixteen years OF age when began to
learn the English Language: it the vcrDacular
tongue of both my father and mother, and had been
that of my whole family circumstance which eoes
lar TO argue the organs of speech to have been adYan
tageou predisposed in TO be impressed on bv that
tongue added TO tins was in England, and STAYED
there several years; devoted great portion of nv
time the study of English Literature had lessons
in reading from the celebrated Sidons, a woman
whose voice full ard harmonious, engraved as il
were, on your memory the recollection of the accents
nttered yet AMI notwithstanding II these adyanta
ges, pronounce the English mperfc and partIc.
ulaily iii common conversation, am often al a loss
for wordsnor is tbs to be attributed 10 nv natural
deficiency. but from the fact that not any one man
a thousand will speak language we'll without his
having exercised himself IN il during his childhood
Another advantage attendant OH being taught langua
ges early deserves your most serious attention Learn
ing to speak, and understand language when Spoken
is OF memory and articulation ouiv II 10 th,
philosophy oflanguage alone If you please 10 call n
grammar rhetoric, logic that requires the aid of o,r
judgment, and we all are aware that every study
which demands the exercise of this faculty is not the
province of children how consistent therefore would
1t be with the ConTicon have Of the raiuc of
time, we, br teaching languages early 10 chill
drcn, TO fill up TO advantage that portion of lime which
constitutes the first SIX eight years of their gong
tn school; when for want OF appropriate employmeut
they acquire habits Of mental Incidence and fis learn
TO dislike learning.
Having thus promised. and hope that my having
done s., much at length will not be atributed wholly 20
sentercst; for, with truth aver that although
in the following, was, and still am urged BY neces-
sites arising from circumstances, which if explained
would come home to the feelings of every class of IN
dviduals yet IN the above have been altogether
carried by the sut5cct-l therefore repeat that having
thus promised, take the liberty of rendering TO an
enlightened aud honorable public
PROPOSAL,
For the publication, BY subscriptions of an FIemen n
ary Book for the of Children from the age OF fl
TO thirteen, in the acquisition Of the French Iaururrc
introduced under the following
TITLE.
An Elementary Practical Book for learning Il,
French Language, adapted TO tue capacity of Chill
dren from FIVE to thirteen years of age translat
and constructed from the German of Seiden
stueckcr, with alterations suited to the Am
r'ican student and accompanied with notes au
directions to the teacher.
In three parts.
! II. i. To be printed at New York.
| This work being German productions would alone
be sufficient to speak its merit--ns at this day tho
Germans before all other nations in literature
and in school methods However, that the public
which here have the honor 10 address, NAV flily
understand the nature OF it, beg leave origin
accompanied by exiract from the authors preface.
AS Napoleon made himself Of the north uf Ger
many, aud extended his influence over tic whole Of thai
empire, hn maze II rule, amounting law that forth
with, the French language should be taught in all The
Elementary schools Unfortunately 50 that German chill
dcn should acquire the facility in speaking tina
language that they did their mother tongue On such
occasion, professors of modern languages husied
compiling elements suited TO the capacity children an,
20 the end aimed at Among these compilations, on
which have taken for my book aud OH which my o,yr
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