AND READING.

IN THREE PARTS.

BY

LOUIS DESRU, B.A.

Of the University of France; First Prize Reading (Paris); Thirty-five
years' experience in tuition in France and England; Author of a
Complete French Course; French Master of several English
Schools in London, etc.

BIBLICIMEGA

JUL 1881

BODLEIANA

LIBRAIRIE HACHETTE & CIE

LONDON: 18, KING WILLIAM ST., CHARING CROSS.
PARIS: BOULEVARD ST. GERMAIN, 79.

PREFACE.

"Languages must never be assimilated, but compared."

THOSE words have been written a long time before I thought of writing a book on this subject, but they are not the less true for being used to-day instead of yesterday. As it is my opinion that languages can be compared, I may say, with the same author, that the affectation with which certain writers, and even teachers, view all attempts to represent or describe on paper the pronunciation of the French language as useless or impossible, appears not to rest on a very sound foundation; for either that branch of French has never formed a part of their studies, or else the numerous observations and standard rules with which every French work of merit on this subject of teaching abounds, find no believers in them, though in either case it is evident that, in countries where French is not the popular language, the teaching department, when deprived of such an essential auxiliary, must greatly suffer.

That the opinions I entertain, as to the advantages accruing to both the master and the pupil from a sure guide to this difficult branch of French study, are not peculiarly my own, or emanate from my individual notions, may be satisfactorily shown by turning up the different treatises on the subject written by the most eminent French grammarians.

B

CONTENTS.

PART. I.

The true pronunciation of every French sound compared

with the English, and distinct applications of the rules

for reading. General rules on quantity. Gender of

nouns after the number of syllables. Homonymous

and Paronymous words, with applications on each sub-

ject for reading.

PART II.

The pronunciation of words and sentences. The instruc-

tions, or rules, for reading correctly, and a recapitula-

tion of the first part, with the exceptions and applica-

tions on each subject, for reading.

PART III.

The rules of punctuation, with instances and applications

for reading, letters and poetry.

(See Index.)

PREFACE.

"Languages must never be assimilated, but compared."

THOSE words have been written a long time before I thought of writing a book on this subject, but they are not the less true for being used to-day instead of yesterday. As it is my opinion that languages can be compared, I may say, with the same author, that the affectation with which certain writers, and even teachers, view all attempts to represent or describe on paper the pronunciation of the French language as useless or impossible, appears not to rest on a very sound foundation; for either that branch of French has never formed a part of their studies, or else the numerous observations and standard rules with which every French work of merit on this subject of teaching abounds, find no believers in them, though in either case it is evident that, in countries where French is not the popular language, the teaching department, when deprived of such an essential auxiliary, must greatly suffer.

That the opinions I entertain, as to the advantages accruing to both the master and the pupil from a sure guide to this difficult branch of French study, are not peculiarly my own, or emanate from my individual notions, may be satisfactorily shown by turning up the different treatises on the subject written by the most eminent French grammarians.

B