THE

BOOK OF VERSIONS.

ETC.

Words marked with an asterisk [*] are to be omitted in the translation.

SECTION I.

ON THE FRENCH LANGUAGE.

Perspicuity, order, accuracy, and purity of expression, distinguish the French language, and give it a graced which pleuses alle nations; its order in the expression of thoughts makes itf easy, its accuracy banishes all overstrained metaphors, and it forbids all use of coarse terms.

The French language, having no1 declensions, and being always subjected to its articles, cannot adopt the Greek and Latin inversions; it obliges words to take their place in the natural order of ideas. Its auxiliary verbs, its pronouns, its articles, its want of declinable participles, and its regular formation, are not favorable to the highest degrees of poetical enthusiasm. It has less resources

La clarté ;-bla justesse ;-c des termes;-dlui donnent un agrément;-plaît à toutes;-fla rend ;-gen bannit toutes les métaphores outrées ; et elle interdit tout emploi ;-i n'ayant point de;-kasservie aux ;-'inversions grecques et latines;— à se ranger;-" dans;- son manque.

B

of this kind than the Italian and English, but it is peculiarly well adapted for tragedy and comedy, politer conversation, and a simple and elegant style. The natural order according to which thoughts must be expresseds and sentences con structed in that language, gives it a softness and facility which is extremely pleasant;" and the genius of the nation, combined with the genius of the language, has given birth to the great number of works agreeably written which adorn French literature2.

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P en ce genre ; mais elle est très-propre à ;- - délicate; dans lequel on est obligé d'exprimer ses pensées ;-t et de construire ses phrases; agréable;-x se mêlant au;— a produit ce ;

la littérature française.

BOILEAU DESPRÉAUX,

A* MEMBER of the French Academy, and onea of the most famous poets of the age of Louis XIV.; he is the Juvenal of the French, and far superior to the Roman writer in his satires, in point of delicacy and chasteness of style. His productions gained him great reputation, particularly his Art of Poetry, his Epistles,' and his Lutrin:' no3 French poet has been so correcth in his style, and few equal him in strength and harmony. He has written some Odes,' but they are inferior to those of J. B. Rousseau. It has been* said of him, that his verses will be read even when the language is obsolete', and will be the last ruins of it. Dr. Warton mentionsm Boileau's 'Art of Poetry,' as the best composition" of that kind extanto.

• l'un ;-b siècle ;-c c'est ;-d à l'égard de la ;-e lui firent une ; fpoétique ;;—8 aucun ;—h pur;-i l'ont égalé ;-k On ;- aurя vieilli fait mention de; comme du meilleur ouvrage ;qui existe en ce genre.

PARALLEL BETWEEN ELIZABETH QUEEN OF ENGLAND AND MARIA THERESA OF AUSTRIA.

These sovereigns afford a brilliant parallel for history. Both, gracings their sex, their country, and their throne, have given lessons of genius to kings; and what is more rare still, they have devotedt genius to the happiness of nations. Both, taught by misfortune, have learnt, in the painful struggle of adversity, to strengthen their character, to extend the resources of their minds, to submit to events, and to exhibit2 an heroism of circumstances as well as of principles. The genius of Elizabeth was of a more creative natureb, and bolder; she laid the foundation of the ambitious designs of England. Maria Theresa, less venturous, directed her views rather to preserve than to create. The former curbed a restless and prouds nation by directing its activity towards grand objects, and gave it a new appanage-the sea; a new country' -both worlds. The latter rousing° a quiet people, inspired them with a desire of another kind,¶ of conquest, more congenial to their manners,that of their native lands, through labour and industry. Both have enjoyed almost absolute powert. The one, by her successes, obliged the proud Briton to forgive her the despotism of her will: the other, by her moderation and mildness, tempered hereditary despotism, which she only enforced to be benevolent without contradiction.

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P DE;- Ces deux ;- offrent. Toutes deux honorant ;— tconsacré ;-u instruites; lutte pénible contre ;-y âme ;—zà se soumettre aux événements, et à se faire ;-a autant que ;— bplus créateur; elle a préparé ;-dentreprenante.- La première ;-f réprima;-8 impatient et fier;- peuple ;-i en dirigeant;-kapanage; patrie ;-les deux.-"La seconde; —o excitant; —P lui inspira le goût;—a genre ;— conforme ;propre pays;-joui d'un pouvoir presque absolu ;-u força ➡ de lui pardonner;- dont elle ne fit usage que pour être.