Progressive Pronouncing French Reader

presented to the pupil at one glance, must confuse and perplex him.

The author, strongly impressed with thre' difficulties, has endeavoured to remove them in this work. By mate rially reducing the number of conventional symbols of xplanation; and detaching from their usual connexion he translation and pronunciation, by placing the Diner in the Interlinear Reader, and the latter in the Pronouncing Reader; he has, he conceives, materially relieved these studies from their previous perplexities, and preseritud the student with volumes of pleasing appearance.

His system of pronunciation discards the use of a separate line in which all the French words are spelled according to their English sound. In lieu of it, he has placed over such syllables only as need it, in a much smaller character, their exact vowel sound; hence, those syllables which are pronounced according to their spelling, are unchanged; while both are referred to a standard of pronunciation, or key, at the head of the page, which gives the equivalent in an English sound. Those sounds (seven in number) which cannot be truly acquired by an English ear without the aid of a teacher, are left without an attempt at imitation ; although an approximation which will be useful to an unaided student is given to them under the title of “ The Vowel Sounds,” at page xviii post. This method is pursued through the whole of the first part, by way of affording ample practice.

To the first fable in the book, the author would direct particular attention. At the expense of much time and thought, he has introduced into it an example of all the vowel and diphthongal sounds, as also of all :he words of difficult pronunciation, in the French language. So that when the scholar shall have completely and truly acquired the power of pronouncing this fable, he may be considered

able to pronounce any word in the French language; those words excepted, of which a list is given at page 283 post.

“ Rules of Pronunciation,” referred to from the French text, will be found at the end of the volume; and occa. sional notes explanatory of special difficulties are given at the foot of the page.

For the plan of using this book to the best advantage in the author's opinion, the teacher or pupil is referred to the “ Method of Study” on a subsequent page; and for many particulars, which it does not seem necessary to repeat on this occasion, to the Preface of the " Interlinear Reader," p. viii., &c.

The author flatters himself that even the unaided student may attain to a very respectable acquaintance with the French language, both in pronouncing and understanding it, by the use of this book and its companion.

In conclusion, he hopes that his works may meet with the approbation of a discerning public. Neither labour vor thought by the author in their composition, nor expense by the publishers in the style of their execution, has been considered, in the effort to render them more valuable as elementary works, and more attractive to the eye and the mind of the fastidious and volatile student.

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