New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-19
MA BlBLIOTUEQUE FRANCAI6E. l2no. pP $50
Paris Hector Bosssnge ct Fills

h.
PsrG Hector Bossange et Fills
Wehave recevedfr from Mr.. Hector BossaDge Of Paris
copy Of little volume bearing The above title. We
reckon ourselves among the favored in its acqu
ion for it has been published for private circulation
solely 1t is not sold, but given. We are justified in
eonpImentng Mr. BossaDge the merits of his book,
which appears to US to fill very satisfactorily the object
proposed; and we also cannot withhold our need of
praise as regards its mechanical execution. Paper
printing ard binding all exhibit degree of taste and
elegance amply sufficient to satisfy the requirements OF
the most critical OF connosseurs few extracts from
its preface will serve TO convey to our readers what
are the scope and object which tue work has in view
Thi. is not a book il IL not even a catalogue; it s
simply record Conformation for the of nay Ameri
can friends This avOwal being made, feel author
lied In Offering some few predatory explanations.
The continuous relations which for more than third
of a century have possessed with the United States
the numerous friends reckon there, my repeated
visits thher the courtesies which have there inva
rably met WITH have made that splendid territory my
second country When am in America, my thoughts
revert to France--when i am IN France they are di
rcted daily toward America. TINS constant prepos-
session has led me to make discovery which will sur
Prise no one. Maintaining that in the United States
great and noble estimation is entertained of French
civilization, i have observed that In France the
most erroneous opinion seems TO prevail IN re.
gard to- American civilization. IL isgeneraHy believed
On THE side of the Atlantic that material affairs are the
sole and exclusive occupation in America. An Amen-
can is always pictured sitting in his eountiugroom
or on the deck Of a merchant ship. had thence con-
cluded that the French proceed to America only DO
towth the intention of transactng business and OF max
ing money, both certainly very laudaDe objects; b9t
am led thereby to form the conclusion thar, ABSORBED
completely in commercial pursuits they have neglected
to study American society and are thus guilty OF an IN
Justice. have been less indifferent or more fortunate
Few men have contributed more than myself 10 tue
dissemination of French books all the American
territory The natural consequence has followed mat
by the force Of such circumstances have been brought
in contact with the friends of French literature ihaVe
seen American society in its intervals OF leisure when
in order to take some repOse from the tagnes OF bus
nees seeks mental recreation, and have then
found again French civilization with its literary tastes
it's love of the fine arts and its enthusiastic admiration
for talent of every description.
In America, libraries are formed IN every direction
and in every Library space Is reserved lor FRENCH
books. have been consulted very oen both o'od 1oce
and by espOndence IN regard TO the proper seec
ton 10 make in order TO form or to increase COLLECTION
in French Literature, and have employed much time
in giving advice Of very little servi;e. have no de-
tre 70 abuse titles 10 deny their aithfuness Out
really is fact that they very seldom fully indicate the
full scope and design of book. Two plans Suggest
the mseves to meet the difficulty: the one Is TO ADD
note to the title Of each work recommended the other
to give IN ertenso the table Of contents. have pre-
ferred the latter recOllect that celebrated
man, one who was styled IN his time the y" Nestor OF
Diplomacy" said that he I" knew every book, and
that he had never read one" tie was satisfied with
reading the preface and skimming the table of con-
tents Far be it from me to recommend this manner
Of readpg to any one but must admit that the table
of contents can give sufficiently accurate idea OF
book to enable one TO judge II he can hnd IN II
what be is in search of. lou thereby give the
book tongue and make it speak for itself.
However small this voume is it Offers nevertheless
a nomenclature Of more than 100 works forming
nearly ? OOO volumes. The field is wide enough 10
enable nv friends to reap abundant harvest proml;
ing them hereafter second edition corrected ana en-
lafred On this point, solct suggestions and advice
from every quarter They will be most grateiay "p-
prsciated by me.
Three distinct indcos will be found at the end of the
volume. They will facilitate reference:
/. An Index of Subjects.
2 An Inoex of Names Of Authors, with the numer-
col order. ,
3. An Index Of the Names Of Persons cited in the
volume.
submit and offer this little book 10 all my Amen
friends, feeling confident Will b. of use TO them
IL is the sole object have in view.