BARLET, B. ès Sc. Univ. Gall., F.C.S., Senior Master at the Mercers' School. First edition, November, 1898; reprinted, August, 1899.

"The work which has been utilised in this latest addition to Siepmann's French Series was published as lately as 1893. The text, consequently, is not open to the objection that it has been edited over and over again, and has become hackneyed even in schools. That is one advantage. Another is that the seven short stories comprised in the volume are fresh and interesting, and admirably suited to awaken the reader's interest and sympathy. Furthermore the style is light and thoroughly idiomatic. So much for the author, with regard to whom and to whose works-the production of the last twenty years-fuller information will be found in M. Barlet's introduction. As to the editor, he, too, has done his work well, and judiciously supplied the help which even advanced students will not find superfluous."Glasgow Herald, November 17th, 1898.

"M. Barlet supplies a short introduction, in which he discusses the literary position of Pouvillon, and shows how eminently the seven short stories are suited as a reading book in schools. We fully agree with his estimate, and congratulate the several editors on their choice. The notes have been written with care, and are helpful."-Educational Times, December, 1898.

"Petites Ames is good reading for intelligent boys in the fifth form; and Mr. Barlet's notes are excellent."-Athenæum, January 7th, 1899. "Pouvillon's Petites Âmes is a much more difficult work, demanding a wide vocabulary and no mean acquaintance with French colloquial idiom. Mr. Barlet has contributed an enthusiastic introductory notice of the writer and his works, with capable notes. Advanced students will be unanimous in thanking Mr. Barlet for bringing to their notice a collection of short stories full of racy wit and robust understanding of human nature."-Guardian, January 11th, 1899.

"Pouvillon's work is an interesting addition to Siepmann's admirable French Series. For the advanced student nothing could be better than this edition of Petites Âmes-seven stories which are not only faultless in style and interesting in plot, but full of the qualities which make a French 'Reader' of practical utility to the student. The notes and appendices, too, are excellent."-Publishers' Circular, January 19th, 1899.

"This volume is one of the series produced under the general editorship of Messrs. Siepmann and Pellissier. Of that series we have already spoken favourably. Petites Ames is a collection of seven interesting stories, and the book has the same appendices as other volumes of the series. It is a very suitable Reader." – University Correspondent, March 4th, 1899.

...

"Pouvillon is a true artist, and a keen student of character. provincials are drawn from life, and by a not unkindly hand. Barlet has done his work in a thorough and conscientious manner. Schoolmaster, March 4th, 1899.

His

M.

and edited by E. C. GOLDBERG, M.A., Head Master of the Modern Side of Tonbridge School. First edition, November, 1898; reprinted, February, 1899; reprinted October, 1900.

"Though a 'moral tale,' it is not one of those 'goody-goody' productions which the French style a berquinade. There is no mawkishness, no strained sentimentality about it. But there is genuine pathos and bright humour, with the further attraction of a pure and bright style."-Glasgow Herald, December 14th, 1898.

"An adaptation of a well-known French novel by M. Jean de la Brète, entitled 'Mon Oncle et mon Curé.' The story, an exceptionally bright and healthy tale, has been edited by Mr. E. C. Goldberg, who has supplied it with a short introduction. It makes an admirable readingbook for French classes."-Scotsman, December 8th, 1898.

The

"A pretty little story of the mental and moral growth of an orphaned girl, under the guardianship first of an odious aunt and then of a wise, kindly uncle. The book is a welcome addition to its series. characters of the story are delicately drawn. The notes are good, and the system of exercises, oral and written, based on the text, makes the edition a valuable school book.”—Academy, January 14th, 1899.

"A brightly written story of a girl's adventures, mild in plot, healthy in tone, free from mawkish sentiment, abounding in clever characterisation, and not without occasional touches of caricature. The work, which was originally published as late as 1889, and was couronnée par l'Académie in the following year, is a type of modern French, pure in style and matter, and may safely be recommended for middle forms in girls' schools, for which it will provide interesting and comparatively easy reading. Mr. Goldberg's notes and exercises on the text seem to us to give exactly the kind of aid that will be required."-Guardian, January 11th, 1899.

"This book 'may serve as a model of the good simple French of the present day. . . . It teems with delightful colloquialisms and terse phrases all imbued with that bright spirit which is so essentially French in character.'"-Parents' Review, April, 1899.

"The editors have made a very happy choice in including this charming work of Jean de la Brète among the selections from modern French authors, which they have introduced to English school boys and girls. It is written in a breezy interesting style, and abounds in delicate, and unforced humour. The notes are good. The sentences for viva voce practice and passages for translation into French enhance its value as a class book."-Schoolmaster, March 4th, 1899.

"Mon Oncle et mon Curé is, on the whole, easier, and we think more suitable for girls than boys. Mr. Goldberg's notes are judiciously few, but supply as much help as is needed."—Athenæum, January 7th, 1899.

LOUIS SERS, B. ès L., French Master at Wellington
College. First edition, May, 1898; reprinted,
October, 1898.

The

"We may say at once that it is quite the best of those that have appeared. A brief introduction tells us all that we require to know about the author. The text is clearly and correctly printed. notes are excellent; just the right length, well expressed, and trustworthy. The appendices by Mr. Siepmann and M. Pellissier are carefully compiled. The passages for translation into French are in good English. The last appendix (on Word-Formation) is very short this time-only four pages; but it contains some interesting facts, clearly arranged. The book is a welcome addition to our intermediate French reading texts."- Educational Times, July, 1898.

"Charles de Bernard was a royalist of whom Thackeray wrote: 'To a person inclined to study the inward thoughts and ways of his neighbours (the French), in that light and amusing fashion in which the novelist treats them, let us recommend the works of Monsieur de Bernard.' This is sufficient to commend the work as in all respects suitable for our young people."-School Guardian, July 9th, 1898.

"A book of the same type is L'Anneau d'Argent, by Charles de Bernard, of whom Thackeray remarked that he was more remarkable than any other French author for writing like a gentleman. Mr. Louis Sers has added notes which will be of great assistance to the student." -Saturday Review, September 17th, 1898.

"The plan of the series is comprehensive, and includes notes, an abundance of words, phrases, and sentences for viva voce drill, with continuous passages for translation, all founded on the text, and a few notes on word-formation. M. Sers has made an excellent provision of these aids, and has given us in the introduction a readable biographical sketch of his author."-Guardian, September 14th, 1898.

"L'Anneau d'Argent is, we think, even better suited for a boy's reading-book. The story is more stirring and adventurous, and the tragic end of the brave, simple, soldier-lover, and the way in which he was mourned, cannot fail to interest and delight every reader. The notes seem to be fuller than those to the companion volume [L'Abbé Daniel]. The Drill founded on the text is equally thorough and varied, and the little appendix on Word-formation-dealing with another chapter of French word-lore—is not less valuable."—Academy, September 10th, 1898.

"An interesting feature of the text, fully dealt with in the notes, is its abundance of allusion, literary and historical.”—Cambridge Review, November 24th, 1898.

DESAGES, Senior Modern Language Master at Cheltenham College. First edition, May, 1898; reprinted, September, 1898; reprinted, October, 1899.

"M. Desages has rendered good service to the study of French in this country by this edition of Theuriet's beautiful prose idyll. The author is not known among us as he deserves to be. We are too apt to think that contemporary French writers are mainly of the naturalistic school. To many English students of French literature, Theuriet comes as a revelation. He is unexcelled in his word paintings of natural scenery, and he takes for his theme only what is most noble and elevating in human life and character. M. Desages's notes are admirable, and the helps given to the student in the direction of lists of words and phrases and imitative exercises are very helpful."-Schoolmaster, October 29th, 1898.

"Well bound, well printed, and well selected, and a credit both to the publishers and the general editors, Messrs. Siepmann and Eugène Pellissier."-School Guardian, May 21st, 1898.

"The editors of this volume could not have made a better selection than Theuriet's graceful idyll, which forms an agreeable contrast to a good deal of modern French literature."-Spectator, September 24th, 1898.

"Mr. Siepmann has already done very good educational work for Messrs. Macmillan, and the two pretty little volumes of his Advanced French Readers now before us deserve much praise. L'Abbé Daniel, with its pathetic story of love, generosity, and renunciation, is a fine example of the short novel in which French writers excel. The Introduction gives a brief account of the author; in the Notes everything that might stop a somewhat advanced schoolboy is explained; and most useful Appendices, for exercises in viva voce and written translation, founded on the text of the story, with a short chapter on Word-formation, close the book."-Academy, September 10th, 1898.

"Such a charming story by one of the foremost French writers of the century cannot long remain unnoticed. The above edition should be in great request as a reader for upper forms."-Educational Review, January, 1899.

"That this charming prose idyll should have been well received is only natural. From beginning to end the story is told in simple and graceful language, which is in perfect harmony with the scenery that forms the setting."-Parents' Review, April, 1899.

edited by EUGENE PELLISSIER, Professeur Agrégé au Lycée de Rochefort. First edition, March, 1898; reprinted, October, 1898; reprinted, December, 1899.

"The present selection is a very judicious one. Sandeau's French is correct and elegant, the characters introduced are well portrayed, and the pupil cannot but become interested in the narrative. The edition contains the usual helps found in the books belonging to this series, and is marked by the perfection and thoroughness which have distinguished other works entrusted to MM. Siepmann and Pellissier."-Schoolmaster, October 29th, 1898.

"The satire of Sacs et Parchemins is of a kind which will never lose its freshness as long as the types of purse-proud vulgarity and worldli ness at which it is directed exist among us. The very good nature of the writer only makes his picture the more effective."-Spectator, September 24th, 1898.

"This is an adaptation of Sandeau's novel, a work which will be found especially profitable to English readers from the description of French life and manners which it contains. It is included in 'Mr. Siepmann's Advanced Series,' but the style is generally clear and flowing."-Educational Review, January, 1899.

"Sacs et Parchemins, par Sandeau, edited by E. Pellissier. Sandeau's chief characteristics,' says M. Pellissier, the editor, are the delicacy of his pictures, the refinement of his style and the sound moral tone which reigns throughout his works.' Sacs et Parchemins is a masterpiece of its kind and so admirably adapted in all respects for use in the class-room that it is a wonder no English school edition of it has yet appeared. . . . The style, which is terse and polished, abounds in happy, literary reminiscences, and wit sparkles in every page." Parents' Review, April, 1899.

...

"The aim of Siepmann's French and German Series has already been stated in these columns. It is therefore sufficient for us to record the maintenance of the high standard of excellence which characterized previous volumes. The annotation is judicious and the appendices are admirable."-Oxford Magazine, February 1st, 1899.

The Word and Phrase Books' give the English and French (in parallel columns) of the lists of words and phrases for viva voce drill which are given in an appendix to the abovementioned reading books. The keys contain these also, and renderings of the 'Sentences on Syntax and Idioms' and of the 'Passages for Translation.' They appear to have been carefully translated, and will be very welcome to teachers who use the books in question."-School World, March, 1899.