Je désire que mes cendres reposent sur les bords de la Seine, au milieu de ce peuple français que j'ai tant aimé.

PREFACE

THIS book is the outcome of several years of teaching, both in college and in the high school, and of experience with various textbooks. It tries to furnish material so interesting that students will enjoy reading it, so well graded as to fit the pupil for more difficult French, and, above all, so thoroughly French in thought and feeling as to create in the heart of the reader an appreciation of the French people and a love for their beautiful land.

The Reader covers about a year's work and may be put into the hands of students after five or six weeks' study in a standard grammar. The first chapters introduce only simple regular forms. The vocabulary of the whole book is largely based on words similar in French and in English.

The fact that the book was written in France should appeal to the student. The scenes described were witnessed by the writer and his friend. Notes of the various incidents were made on the spot and written out while the recollection was fresh in mind. The illustrations are from photographs taken at the same time.

The author wishes to thank the friends who have assisted him with suggestions. The publisher Charles Delagrave kindly gave permission to insert La Poule and Les Petits Lapins from Le Livre des Petits, of J. Aicard.

AUGUST, 1916.

A. DE M.