CLASS BOOK

OF

FRENCH POETRY FOR THE YOUNG

BY

PAUL BARBIER,

Assistant Master at the Manchester Grammar School.

LIBRAIRIE HACHETTE & CIE.

LONDON: 18, KING WILLIAM STREET, CHARING CROss.
PARIS: 79, BOULEVARD ST.-GERMAIN.

PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & Co.

LONDON:

J. 8. LEVIN, ENGLISH AND FOREIGN PRINTER, 2, MARK LANE SQUARE, GREAT TOWER STREET, E.C.

BUDLE

-JUL.91

OXFORD

AS A TOKEN OF SINCERE GRATITUDE TOWARDS HIS RESPECTED AND

DISTINGUISHED FATHER,

The High Master of St. Paul's School, London.

PAUL BARBIER.

PREFACE.

IN selecting these pieces of French Poetry for the use of Children between seven and twelve years of age, I have ever had in view the purity and simplicity of the language. Notes have been thought to be superfluous. Those using the book will notice how careful I have been not to sacrifice art for the purpose of suiting the class of children for whom the book is intended. Most of the pieces, whether narratives, fables,* or subjective effusions, contain moral lessons inculcating in the learner principles of honesty, probity, truth, or gratitude towards GOD.

MANCHESTER, May, 1877.

* An excellent edition of Lafontaine's Fables, by my confrère, Tarver, of Eton, has been published by Messrs. Hachette & Co., of London.