PREFACE

THE

HE aim of this book is to facilitate translation from the French language into English, by means of a progressive series of anecdotes, tales, and extracts from some of the best French authors, both in prose and verse.

It is divided into two parts. In the first part all the verbs, both regular and irregular, are analysed, and the present infinitive given, of which the meaning is found at the end of the book.

In the second part, which comprises both prose and verse, only the irregular verbs are analysed.

At the end of each verb there is a number corresponding with one at the foot of the page, where the verb is analysed, and the present infinitive given.

As the vocabulary comprises the meaning of all the words and idiomatical expressions in the book, no dictionary is required.

If the means employed render the work of the pupil lighter and more pleasing, and that of the master a more delightful task than hitherto, the author will feel that his efforts have not been unsuccessful in promoting the study of the French language.

EDINBURGH, 1st March 1877.

SPECIMEN

OF THE

CONJUGATION OF A FRENCH

VERB AND CORRELATIVE VALUE OF EACH TENSE AND PERSON IN ENGLISH

PRESENT INFINITIVE

Nomm-er, to name

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

Nomm-ant, Naming

Je nomme,
Tu nommes,
Il nomme,

Nous nommons,
Vous nommez
Ils nomment,

Je nommais,

Tu nommais,

Il nommait,

INDICATIVE

PRESENT

PAST PARTICIPLE

Nomm-é, Named

I name, do name, or am naming
Thou namest, dost name, or art naming
He names, does name, or is naming
We name, do name, or are naming
You name, do name, or are naming
They name, do name, or are naming

IMPERFECT

I named, or was naming

Thou namedst, or wert naming
He named, or was naming

Nous nommions, We named, or were naming

Vous nommiez, You named, or were naming
They named, or were naming

Ils nommaient,

Je nommai,

Tu nommas,
Il nomma,

PERFECT DEFINITE

I named, or did name

Thou namedst, or didst name
He named, or did name
Nous nommâmes, We named, or did name
Vous nommâtes, We named, or did name
Ils nommèrent, We named, or did name

De la Naissance de Gil Blas et de son Education-Le Sage

Giton et Phédon, ou le Riche et le Pauvre-La Bruyère

Aimons-nous les Uns les Autres-Emile Souvestre

Le Cheval de l'Arabe

Amand-Berquin

PAGE

31

33

35

37

40

42

44

47

50

59

65

Guillaume Tell

Histoire du Plébiscite (Le déserteur)—Erckmann-Chatrian 70

Le Petit Savoyard, Chant III., Le Retour-M. A. Guiraud 88 Combat de Turenne et de D'Aumale-Voltaire.-La Henriade 91

Vocabulary

94