XXIX " SCENERY OF SWITZERLAND " 69 



taken from authors entirely unknown in France, or 

 hardly classical even in England. 



On the other hand, I have in no case (or very rarely), 

 suppressed or curtailed any essential development of 

 your text, save in one instance (Patriotism, which it 

 seemed impossible to keep in a book destined to be 

 read in France), or any quotation from the greater 

 writers of any nation. I have also retained all dicta 

 even of secondary writers which seemed to me either 

 peculiarly striking or suitable to the French reader. 

 And with regard to the Bible, the wisdom and poetry 

 of which are too little known among us, I have 

 endeavoured to preserve nearly everything you have 

 quoted, in all cases using the translation of the best 

 French Protestant Bible, in spite of the great loss of 

 time incurred, by searching for the chapter and verse 

 not indicated in your book. 



I will not encroach upon your time by developing 

 at greater length my reasons for suppressing certain 

 other passages. I trust you will believe that I have in 

 all cases faithfully endeavoured to render your book 

 as acceptable as possible to a French public. Allow 

 me simply in conclusion to say what reasons Monsieur 

 Alcan and Monsieur Perivier had in trusting to my 

 judgment, and in considering me competent to under- 

 take my task. I am licencie ts lettres (M.A.) and 

 Agr^ge de I'Universit^. I write English and French 

 with equal ease, and have published articles in both 

 languages on questions of art, philology, etc. The 

 last article written in English appeared in the Century 

 Magazine for March 1895 under my signature. I have 

 also written in the Figaro, Revue hebdomadaire, etc. 

 You will, I trust, excuse my thus speaking of myself; 

 but Monsieur Alcan requested me to give you some 

 details of myself. 



The proof sheets are now being submitted to me, 

 and will be sent to you as soon as corrected. May I 

 hope that the work I have undertaken to the best of 

 my ability will meet with your approval, under its 

 present shape, which is, I think, the most suitable for 

 a French reader, and such as the limits imposed on me 

 necessarily make it. — Believe me, sir, sincerely yours, 



HovELAQUE, Professor. 



Agr6g6 au lycee Buffon. 



