The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-08
FRENCH LITERATURE,

I'0TGS correspondence OJ me ", 7, ITbDUNc.
PARIS, November 9-TWo thousand pages
three columns to the page, each column an inch
hiGher and a quarter OF an Iuch broader than a
column of The last Merriam edition Of Webster
and printed in closer order, such is the material
description OF the first volume, A to III inclusive
of that monumental work, 'Dictlonnaire de la
Langue Franchise" by Litlre. A noble monu-
ment, harmOnlously proportioned, of massive
eruditon and clear scientific method. As
dictionary its nomenclature is fuller, and defni-
tions OF usual and classical sgnl6Cations more
satisfactory, than those OF the Dictionary OF the
Academy. But It is more Than Thesaurus of
words. 1t is a treasury of knowledge-ol IDEAS
Here is the first value and distinctive feature of
the work.
The definition of a word, according to its usual
and classic acceptatIon, is first supported by
numerous array of authoritative examples cited
rom modern authors; then follows an "his-
toric" paragraph, showing the usage IN chr0no-
logical order, by selections from the earliest
writer who can be called French, down to the
sixteenth century; then on this outer French
frontier we find the genealogical article, point.
ing out whence and by what roads and in what
company the word came. 81 was so i'm pressed,n
says our author, with the bonds that unite the
modern with the ancient FreRch; l observed so
many cases where the meaning aud the express
s1ons of our time are explicable only by the
meanings and expressions of an earlier time, so
many examples where the form of words is not
ntellieible without the preceding forms that it
seemed to me that the theory (doctrine) and
even the usage of the language must remain
unsettled, unless they rest on their ancient
base.n And again he says:-"The past Of the
language guides the mind directly towards its
future"
The Dictionary, of which this colossal volume,
previously issued in thirteen nyraisons, is one
half, is completed in MS. Seeing that NJ. Litre
has lived only sixty-hve years, and seeing what
his other labors have be- the wonder is, at
frst when he found time to execute this work.
Nor is the wonder more than half removed
when are told that out of the last twenty
six he has given to IL fifteen solid years. But
his years count double gentleman Of his
acquaintance tells me that he habitually gives
fourteen hours day to study. His customary
bedtime is three O'Clock in the morning. The
he has had most sustaining, efficient cola 90
rator in his daughter, who inherits his love and
patience OF study, and, educated by him. is said
to be almost as learned as her father The
French Academy, one OF VIII ose high and special
functions it is to compose Dictionary of the
work is getting ON it will be ready for publica-
ton towards the close of the next century,,
will not admit Littre to membership, because
he has translated Strauss and helped to popu-
larize Comte's philosophy.
Taine is likewise tabooed by the majority of
that professedly literary body; with what un-
reasonableness each new book from his pen
freshly demonstrates. The latest we have to
Italie." 1t is the second series of his lectures
at the Ecole des BeauX Arts, the first of which
were published last year under the title of
'Philosophie de Part" and have been translated
by Mr.. Dunlap OF your city.
Yet another occupant OF the "4lst Arm Chair"
has laid all lovers OF good letters under obiga-
| tion by his Voyage en- Russie." Understand
at the outset, that Theophile Gautier does not
attempt-he would shametully fail If he did
to instruct the reader as to the politics or social
istics of Russia. But beyond any other living
writer he has, and exercises the rare faculty of
painting with his pen-not merely the objects
that have met his eye, but the very atmosphere
in which they we're bathed. And so if you want
TO see the outside, the picturesque sides, of
Russia and Russian life, and be helped to nice
perception and appreciation of the treasures of
art in Russian museums, read these two de-
lightful volumes, the perusal of which will also
give you, dear general reader, who read French
as we'll as you do English, though you don't
speak it, some surprise IN respect of your
knowledge OF the French written tongue.
Prevost-ParadOl is an Academican; as, for
finished deltness and delicacy in the use of the
! French language as an instrument of thought
he surely deserves to be. The potent reason for
his election, however, was that the literarily
| best aud cleverest of his unvoluminous writings
had been sharply critical of the actual political
| regime. His election was opened when he was
| condemned to fine and Imprisonment for one of
his articles. He has just collected and publshel l.
in small volume entitled "Quelques Pages
| d'Hstoire Contemporaries" series OF letters on
| the political topics of the day.
Two volumes of French translation of Henri
| Helms Correspondence Inedite" will be very
| welcome to those who cannot obtain or read
| the German original. This first series extends
| Fl IN 1920, the beginning of his public literary
lite, to l843; final volume will give his private
| letters dating from that period to 1856. Forty
of the letters in this collection are addressed to
the writer's early and intimate friend Moser,
and reveal qualities of hearty gentleness and
| goodness which are a grateful relief 10 the
| bright and burning daylight of persihage and
| sarcasm with which his works abound.
The first number of "Laiontaiae's Fables, u
with DOres illustrations, is on sale. Judging
! from these two, and from others that have been
shown in anticipation of publication, it is no
venture to sayIhat, as illustrations, they are far
! superior to most of the wood engravings inter-
| leaYed in the so-called Dore Bible. The medium
in which Mr.. Dore lives and works is so en-.
! tuely different from the medium in which Moses
and tie Prophets and Christ lived and did,
! that he should succeed 10 giving apt illustra-
! tions 10 their life aud work. II | could venture
! to speak TO the narrower artistic question in the
case should say that these Illustrations are
superior to most of those in the Dore Bible on
| the score Of invention and sentiment.