The genius of the French language

Preface

It had long been considered vain to attempt, in this country, to teach the French language with purity of accent and idiom, and children have been, and are even now, frequently sent to France, for the sole purpose of learning to speak French. As long, indeed, as the student is confined to a knowledge only of the mechanism of the language — as long as grammars, encumbered with conjugations of verbs, useless rules, and pompous sentences, continue to multiply difficulties instead of removing them — such a step may be necessary; but if the student be taught that all the verbs, both regular and irregular, of the language, may be learnt in a few hours — that its mechanism, being similar to that of our own, may be acquired in a space of time almost a,s brief — and that all his attention should be directed to the peculiarities, to the idiom, to the genius of the language, in fine, to all those expressions which, not bearing

IV PREFACE.

literal translation, form the principal difficulty of conversation ; if, at the same time, he be taught to compose themes and versions, not of the sublime, but of the colloquial style, — he will soon acquire fluency of speech, and, under a good master, purity of accent, and the necessity of making aliens of our children will no longer exist.

The design of this little book is to supply the spirit of the language, by introducing the learner to all the idioms in common use, exemplified in easy and colloquial phrases.

Tables have been added to this edition, by means of which a mere child may^in a few hours, learn to conjugate all the verbs in the language.

Many of the author's friends having requested him to publish a Key to the Exercises, he has complied with their request. He flatters himself, also, that Foreigners, learning English through the medium of the French, will, by using the Key, become familiar with the English Idiom, and thereby overcome their chief obstacle in acquiring a fluency of conversation.

THE GENIUS

FKENCH LANGUAGE.

Numbers refer to the Rules.

English words within brackets are not to be translated.

Words in Italics are idioms the French of which will be found in the Index,

IDIOMS.

To ail or be the matter with Avoir.

To be thirsty or dry Avoir soif.

To be hungry Avoir faim.

To be cold, (meaning to feel cold) Avoir froid.

To be warm or hot, ( ,, ) Avoir chaud.

To be right Avoir raison de.

To be wrong Avoir tort de.

To be sleepy Avoir sommeil.

EXERCISE L

What 5 ails you

? I do not know what 136 is the matter with me. I am thirsty. I am hungry. I am cold. I am hot. You are right. He is wrong. There is nothing the matter with me. Who 5 is

B cold ? Are 1 you warm ? Am I not 4 right ? Are you not 4 wrong ? What 5 is the matter with him ? He is too cold. He is too hot. Was not I 4 right ? I am not wrong. What 5 is the matter with your mamma ? I am not so hungry as I was just now ;

tout-a-Vheure ; but I am very* thirsty. I am not cold, on the

a contrary, I am very warm. You were right. I was wrong. One is cold, even by the fire-side. I am so

au coin dufeu cold that I cannot write. What 5 ails 2 the boy? Are you thirsty? We are hungry. I am very cold. I was very hot yesterday. I am too warm. Is he not wrong ? 4 He is always thirsty. You are always hungry. Your brother is hungry. I am not so hungry now. Drink if you are thirsty. I am sure 13 you are cold. I shall be cold, if I do not put on my great coat. If you are cold, warm yourself. Your papa did not go 39 out yesterday, what 5 was the matter with him ? You 9 should eat only 149 when you are hungry, and drink only when you are

ni inf. thirsty. I am so cold that I cannot hold my pen. I should 1 * be surprised if you were warm, so far

que imp. subj. from the fire. Do you see that I am right, and that it is you who are wrong ? [If one were] to believe you, every one is wrong except yourself.

tout-le monde You are always ill ; what is the matter with you ? What 5 is the matter with your dog ? My feet are so cold ! I am very sleepy. Are you sleepy ? I am no longer sleepy now.

* Very, before chaudffroidffaimysoif, is expressed by grand or by the adverb Lien.

Are your hands cold ? Only feel* how cold my

settlement hands are. In winter we 9 are always hungry, and in summer we are always thirsty. He is a man who is always cold, when others are hot ; and who is always hot, when others are cold. He must 7 have been very hungry tof have eaten a whole loaf. Something must 7 be the matter with that dog, I never see it eating. 24 You must 7 indeed be very cold if they 9 never give you a fire. You do wrong to

de suspect me. You are right in saying 24 that I am warm ; I was 38 never so hot in my life. I wish 13 you

de je voudrais

were 17 [as] hot as I [am] . I am [as] cold as ice. subj.

Why must 7 I be wrong ? Who 5 told you 13 you were right ? If you were [as] hungry as (I am),

moi you would not be so dainty. What is the matter with your mamma, that she does not come to see us ? There is nothing the matter with her.

One must 7 be very cold in your country. If you had said quite 67 the contrary, you would have been right. You cannot 159 imagine how hungry I was.

savoir I hope you will not be so hungry another time. What 5 was the matter with you the other evening ? A fop addressing himself to a man who was 10 petit maitre

being led to prison, asked him what was the matter en ce que

* Adv r erbs are usually placed after the verb, f To, signifying in order to, is expressed by pour. B 2

4j EXERCISES.

with him; (the matter with me), replied the man,

ce que fai c'

is that my hands [are] tied, or I would

f ai les (sans cela)

teach you not 158 to insult the unfortunate. The

a a

best thing 13 you can 21 eat when you are thirsty, is a pear ; whence no doubt, comes the French proverb " To lay by for a rainy day." I am as hun-

Garder une poire pour la soif une

gry (as a wolf). We 9 eat before we are hungry,

canine and 150 drink before 20 we are thirsty. In the first ages of the world, they 9 ate only 149 when they were hungry, and drank only when they 9 were thirsty. The strongest is always right, the weakest is always wrong. I was so sleepy last night, that I went to bed at eight o' clock.

(It is of no use for you to) preach to us what vous avez beau was 10 done before the deluge ; I have seen you, yourself, eat as [much as] four [people] , and that after having had a good dinner. I am not so cold now as I was a short time ago. Since you are so cold,

tout-a-Vheure why do you not come nearer the fire? I am cold

s'approcher .de even by the fire-side, and I am always warm even in the middle of winter. You must 7 always be right, and I must 7 always be wrong. I am sure 13 a blanket has been 10 taken off my bed. I was so cold all night that I could not sleep. Nor I neither, I

non plus could not sleep ; but it was because I was too warm,

EXERCISES.

yet I am sure 13 I have not more blankets than you. You are right in saying I lose by that bargain ; I lose more than three pounds by it. I am so sleepy

de y

that I must go to bed.

IDIOMS.

To take care of Avoir soin de.

To take care (meaning to beware) Prendre garde de.

To look (neuter) Avoir Fair.

To look as if, or like, or to be likely to Avoir Vair de.

rp . , ( Se qarder bien de or

lo take care not to < , u . j ,

\ n avoir garde de.

To want or to stand in need of Avoir besom de.

To intend, or to have an intention to Avoir dessein de.

To have reason to Avoir sujet de.

To be in the habit of Avoir coutume de.

To have a mind, or desire to Avoir envie de.

Obs. — When avoir Vair has the name of an inanimate object for its nominative case, the adjective that follows agrees with the nominative, but when it is the name of a person, the adjective agrees in the masculine with air, as: She looks unhappy. Elle a Vair malheureux. That pear looks ripe. Cette poire a Vair mure.

EXERCISE II.

How unhappy she looks. She looks very contented. You look very ill, what 5 is the matter with you ? He looks like a thief. Your sister looks very unhappy. Those apples look too ripe. He looked so pale ! If you put on that coat, you will look like a coachman. You are right, I will not put it on. You would do wrong to put it on, I assure you. Take care to come. You do not take care of your clothes. That woman looks unhappy. That pear looks too ripe. Do not look so sad. Take care to

EXERCISES.

put my letter into the post. Does 4 he not look like

a a sailor ? Do 3 I look pale ? You will take care of my watch, will you 4 not ? I want you. Do you want 1 any money ? I shall want that bye-and-bye.

tout-a-Vheure

1 did 38 not intend to offend you. I have no intention to go thither. I have reason to be dissatisfied with you ; but you have no reason to be dissatis-

de iied with me. He is 31 taking his chocolate,

ce which he is in the habit of doing every day at this hour.

I have a great mind to speak to him. Have 1 you a mind to see him ? Your mamma wants you. We stand in need of your assistance. When 25 I want you, I will send for you. You will have reason to be satisfied with me. He is in the habit of doing that every day. I have a great mind to play him that trick. Do 3 you intend to rob me ? I am not in want of money. You shall have no reason to complain of 14 it. I never intended to offend him. He shall have reason to repent it. I am not in the habit of telling falsehoods. He must 7 intend to injure you. I have a great mind to tell him so. Keep your money, I do not want it. 14 The things 23 we are most in want of are cheap. I cannot

a bon marche lend you the money 23 you want. I will take care not to tell him what you said. Take care not to believe it. I will take care not to tell him what I think. Do you think I look like a schoolmaster ?

EXERCISES. V

Does 4 he not look like a rake ? You must 7 have a great desire to ruin yourself. He has no intention to deceive you. I have no desire to go thither. Did he not 4 look like a Jew ? You must 7 take good

Men care not to believe all you 10 are told. Take care of your health. I will take care of you. Take care. You look very pale this morning, are 3 you ill ? He looks like a ghost. He looks as if he wanted to fight. Take care not to speak to him about my marriage. I had no intention to offend him. You will have reason to repent your follies. He is in the habit of smoking a cigar every day after dinner.

I have a great mind to go and 15 see him. How 37 pale you look ! You look as if you had sat up all

veiller night. He looked like a servant. He took care not to tell me that. I do not w T ant any money now, but I shall want some soon. Why do you ask me for money, if you do not want any ? 105 You have not the books 23 I want. He does not intend to do it. He had no reason to rejoice at 14 it. It seems that you are in the habit of telling falsehoods. I have not the least desire to go and 15 see your uncle ; he always looks sad and thoughtful. How 37 [very]

reveur unhappy that woman looks ! She wants nothing. If you want me, come to my house this evening about six o' clock. Do you know why I look so sad ? Because I want my dinner. I have reason to be dissatisfied with my situation. It is my intention to leave it as soon as I can. 25 I will take care not to leave it before I have found another. You look to me as if you fared well.

b EXERCISES.

IDIOMS.

To have to do with Avoir de commun avec.

To have to deal with Avoir affaire a.

To be afraid Avoir peur.

To be agreeable to L* avoir pour agreable.

To have courage Avoir du cceur

To have a hand, or take a part in Avoir part a.

To ache, or have a pain in Avoir mal a.

To be ashamed Avoir horde de.

To have on one's hands Avoir sur les bras.

To have at one's disposal, or to ) A .

t, „„ • „• m r ' > Avoir en mam.

nave in view J

EXERCISE III.

If it be agreeable to you, we will go out. If it be agreeable to the gentleman, we will take a hand at

/aire une partie de cards. Whom 6 have you to do with then ? I am afraid 13 I have 16 to do with rogues. What 5 have riches to do with happiness ? What 5 have politics to

do with religion ? Are 3 you afraid of him ? On the contrary, it is he 100 who is afraid of me. When we 9 have to do with robbers, we must expect to be robbed. What 5 has your discourse to do with what I have just said ? I am afraid of catching cold. What 6 are you afraid of ? I am not afraid of you. You do right not to have to do with those people. You are very wrong to be afraid of that dog, he will not bite you. Do not be afraid. Why are you afraid ? If you have to deal with rogues you will be cheated. What 5 have your suspicions to do with what I have said ?

He does not know whom 6 he has to do with. His marriage has nothing to do with our affairs. I have so great a pain in my knee that I can scarcely walk. Are you not ashamed of your conduct ? Some courage (is required) for that enterprise, and you have

ilfaut none. I will have no hand in it. 14 I am ashamed to tell you so. You have no courage. If you have the head-ache, the best thing 13 you can do 21 is to go to bed. Man has always something the matter with

mat him. My head aches. My feet ache. My back aches. My teeth ache. I have a pain in my side. I have sore eyes. My feet are cold. My hands are cold. I confess 13 I had 38 some hand in it. 14 Is it possible that you have 19 [any] dealings with those scoundrels ? You have no courage, I would not have to do with people who rob me ; you say you are afraid of them, and, as you go on, you are likely to be always afraid of them. They are not ashamed to plunder you openly, and you are afraid to tell them so. I will have no hand in the business 13 you mention. I should be ashamed to be 10 seen in (the company of) such vagabonds. avec

Rashness has nothing to do with valour. Seeing whom 6 I had to deal with, I resolved to confess everything. I am afraid of (losing my way). If it be

s'egarer agreeable to the ladies, we will stay here and 15 spend the evening. If you had any courage, you would not suffer yourself to be treated 10 so. I have often had reason to repent the part 13 I took 38 in that business. I have a pain in my right foot. If you have a pain in your head, you had better go to bed. You b 5 ought really to be ashamed of your conduct I have four poor little children on my hands. I have a good deal of business in hand. I have in view a very advantageous situation for you. It is impossible to grow rich with a wife and three children upon my hands. What 5 can riches have to do with happiness ? I plainly perceived I had to do with a rogue.

They who are afraid of death, show that they have not lived righteously.* Since it is agreeable to your

hien papa, why should you oppose it ? That man has no courage ; were it I, I would let every one see that I am not (to be cheated). I lay 13 your bro-

homme a me laisser tromper ther had a hand in it. 14 I have so severe a pain in my head, 13 I cannot bear it. You always have the tooth ache. If it were I, I would have 24 them all drawn. You are wrong to be ashamed of a good action. I have so much business upon my hands, that I shall not be able to go and 15 see you for [a]

de long time. He says he has a brilliant match in view for his niece. I have several situations at my disposal, you may (have your choice) . The fright 13 I

choisir had, sufficiently punished me for the part I took in

de that affair. I am afraid 13 you have 16 to do with a man more cunning than yourself. fi n

See note s page S.

IDIOMS.

I can scarcely, or hardly Taidelapeinea.

There to be Y avoir.

To be (speaking of one's age) Avoir.

To be full, or covered with En avoir.

To act (meaning to give one's self the airs of) Faire.

To deal (at cards) Faire or donner.

To pretend to be, or to set up for Faire.

Fo be in vain for, or be of no use for Avoir beau.

EXERCISE IV.

I can scarcely believe you. He could scarcely believe that it was true. There is some truth in what you say. How old is your sister ? She will be fifteen [on] the seventeenth of next month. He was full up to the throat. He had fallen into the mud; he was covered with it up to his ears. I acted 40 the lawyer in that piece. It is your turn to deal. Whose 6 turn is it to deal ? It is my turn to shuffle the cards, it is your turn to cut, and that gentleman's turn to deal. What do you wish [to have] for trumps ; for when I deal I turn up what I d-tout retourne

like ; will you [have] hearts, spades, diamonds, or vouloir

clubs ? Do you think 13 there is 19 a better man in

a the world than he ? 100 He must 7 be at least eightythree.* Do you think 13 there is 19 any wickedness in saying that ? a

* The word ans, years, must always be expressed in French when speaking of a person's age.

It is in vain for me to tell him so, lie does not believe me. It was of no use his crying out, no 155 one listened to him. It would be in vain for your father to seek me ; it would be impossible for him to find me. It is in vain for you to talk, you are wrong. It is of no use for you to boast to me of your country, I love England better .* There has been a deal of rain this year. Well ! I hope there will be no more. It was in vain for them 9 to cry out to him to stop : he was deaf, he did not hear [them] . If you were full up to the throat, you would not be satisfied. It is of no use his wishing for it, he shall not have it. How old is your grandfather ? He is seventy-nine. f I did not think he was so old. He must 7 be at least seventy-three. It will be in vain for you to look everywhere for it, you will not find it.

It is in vain for people to talk ; I do not think war will be declared. How old were you then ? I was twelve years old. There is company at our house

du monde to-day. He came 38 to see me all over mud, he was covered with it up to his eyes. Let me deal this time. It is of no use my looking about on all sides, I see nothing. I should hardly believe 13 he had 17 acted so foolishly. It is of no use for you to

unefolie pareille try no persuade me, I know he is not a man to fall blind-folded into the snares those villains have laid 41 tete-baissee

for him. He had been but a week gone, when I received 39 a letter informing me of the sad news of f The word ans, years, must always be expressed in French when speaking of a person's age.

his death ; he was only twenty-two. In crossing a field, I fell 38 into a ditch full of filth ; I was covered with it up to my ears, and had 38 great difficulty to get out of it. 14 How 37 well he knows how to act the hypocrite ! Will 1 you have the kindness to deal, sir ? Is it my turn to deal ? I thought it was yours. It is in vain for you to entreat, I will not grant you what you ask. I can scarcely believe my uncle is gone to France, for he has often told me he would

en never go there. Many people ruin themselves by pretending to be gentlemen. He sets up for a great wit. He sets up for a learned man, but he does not know A from B. He is a man, / see, who well

ni A ni B. knows how to act the hypocrite. What news is there to-day ? There is no news. There will be a ball at my aunt's [on] Friday ; are you invited ?

IDIOMS.

To counterfeit, or to act Faire.

To go (a mile, &c.) Faire.

To get, or to have done Faire faire.

To burst out laughing Faire des eclats de rire.

To accustom one's self to Se faire a.

To turn, or to become Se faire.

To please, or to do a kindness to Faire plaisir a.

EXERCISE V.

Have you ever seen him counterfeit deafness? Guess

le sourd how many miles I have been 42 to-day. Your mother is going 31 to have 24 a house built at Greenwich. He burst 39 out a-laughing, when I told him 13 you were going to be married. How can you accustom yourself to such a life? I would willingly go twenty miles* on foot to see that actor play; 35 he is [one] at all the 74 most fashionable parties in London ; de assemblee a

(every one is anxious to have him), he is such

c'est a qui Vaura (good company). That is the way to get 24 liked.

rejouissant You will get 24 scolded. I am not accustomed to his ill-temper. After having listened to me to the end, he burst 39 out a-laughing. I have a great mind to turn soldier. You are so complaisant, that I am sure you will do me that kindness. You have so much patience, that you ought really to turn schoolmaster.

I have been three leagues this morning. Get 24 yourself bled. Have 24 your coat mended. Try to accustom yourself to 14 it. He counterfeits lameness

le hoiteux very well. I am going to have 24 a new gown made. He has had 24 a house built at Paris. Have 24 that meat roasted, do not have 24 it 14 boiled. Where do 3 you get 24 your clothes made ? Where do 3 you get 24 that done ? He has turned tailor. I advise you to turn tailor. From [a] surgeon he became [a] baker. You will get 24 yourseK hanged. He will get 24 himself put into prison. He pretends to be deaf : but he hears all we are 31 saying. He will get 24 himself disliked. Go and get 24 yourself killed, if you are tired of life. A good girl gets 24 herself liked by every

de body. I like to do a kindness to honest people. That would please me greatly. He is going to turn watchmaker. I should like to accustom myself to your way of living ; but I cannot. He went away laughing heartily. Get 24 me two pairs of shoes made^ and one pair of boots. Get 24 your hair cut, you look like a hedge-hog. Carry this letter to the post. I am sure 13 you will do me that kindness. I cannot accustom myself to the climate of England. I am going to have 24 feathers put on my bonnet. I

a cannot go a step without his finding fault with it. 14 Get 24 a handle put to that saucepan. Have 24 a border put to that gown. You must 7 get 24 bled. I have told you more than [a] hundred times to

de get 24 your coat mended. He pretends to be ill. He has had 24 a room built (over) his kitchen.

au dessus de I am going to have 24 irons put« on my boots* Guess how many leagues I have walked 42 to-day. He went 38 all the way on foot. Would you believe that I walked fifteen miles this morning before break-

subj. fast?

IDIOMS.

To be day-light Faire jour.

To be dark Faire nuit, or sombre.

To be hot (weather) Faire chaud.

To be cold „ Faire froid.

To be wet „ Faire humide.

To be muddy „ Faire crotte.

To be dirty „ Faire sale.

To be rainy „ Faire de la pluie.

To be bad „ Faire mauvais.

To be fine „ Faire beau.

To be sunny „ Faire du soliel.

To be foggy „ Faire du brouillard.

EXERCISE VI.

It was very cold yesterday. It was very hot last summer. Do not go into the park, it is very wet there. It is dirty every where. It is very bad weather, do not go out, wait until it be 20 fine. If it were not so wet, I would go out. It begins to be cold. Do you 1 think it will 19 be very cold this winter ? It is colder in London than in Paris. It is warmer in Italy than in France. It has been very rainy weather lately. Do not go into the wood, it is too wet there ; do not go the road way neither, for it is too muddy. The weather has been so bad lately that it is dirty everywhere. When it is 25 fine, we will all go together. I will get up as soon as it is 25 light. We will go thither as soon as it is dark.

It is very foggy. It is colder to-day than 26 it was yesterday. It was warmer yesterday than it is to-day. If it be as cold as it is now, I will not go. It is always foggy [in] November, in England.

au mois de It is dreadful weather. When 3 is it day-light now ? It is day-light now at half-past five. When 3 is it day-light in your apartment ? It is abominable weather, one ought never to go out without [an] umbrella. There ! the sun is out, see how 37 fine

voila que it is ! When the weather is so bad it is better to stay at home. It is going to be fine, see how the sun shines ! For climate, 45 I prefer France, 51 the weather is always so unsettled in England. Do not walk on the grass, it is too wet. Who would have imagined it would 19 be so fine this afternoon ? It is very cold, you had better not go out. It is going to be stormy. See, I was right, what nasty weather