A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2: To the Close of the 19th Century — John Shaqi
A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2: To the Close of the 19th CenturySaintsbury, George
History
A History of the French Novel, Vol. 2: To the Close of the 19th Century
Saintsbury, George
French fiction -- History and criticism
P. 381.--One or two reviewers and some private correspondents have
expressed surprise at my not knowing, or at any rate not mentioning, the
late Professor Morley's publication of _Rasselas_ and a translation of
_Candide_ together. I cannot say positively whether I knew of it or not,
though I must have done so, having often gone over the lists of that
editor's numerous "libraries" to secure for my students texts not
overlaid with commentary. But I can say very truthfully that no slight
whatever was intended, in regard to a scholar who did more than almost
any other single man to "vulgarise" (in the wholly laudable sense of
that too often degraded word) the body of English literature. Only, such
a book would not have been what I was thinking of. To bring out the full
contrast-complement of these two strangely coincident masterpieces, both
must be read in the originals. Paradoxically, one might even say that a
French translation of Johnson, with the original of Voltaire, would show
it better than the converse presentment. _Candide_ is so intensely
French--it is even to such an extent an embodiment of one side of
Frenchness--that you cannot receive its virtues except through the
original tongue. I am personally fond of translating; I have had some
practice in it; and some good wits have not disapproved some of my
efforts. But, unless I knew that in case of refusal I should be ranked
as a Conscientious Objector, I would not attempt _Candide_. The French
would ring in my ears too reproachfully.
P. 396, last line.--Shift comma from after to before "even."
P. 399, l. 10.--_For_ "Rousseau" _read_ "his author."
P. 424, _note_, first line.--Delete quotes before "The."
P. 453, l. 15.--_For_ "Courray" _read_ "Cou_v_ray."
P. 468, l. 17.--_For_ "France has" _read_ "France had."
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