PREFACE 



Our purpose in this volume is, primarily, to put before 

 the American public the contributions of France in all 

 fields of scientific knowledge, and to show her status in 

 the forefront of the world's progress; and, in addition, 

 to furnish to American university students all informa- 

 tion bearing on graduate work in France. 



Each chapter sets forth briefly, for a particular field: 



1. The record of French scholarship during the past 

 century; the notable achievements; the eminent leaders; 

 the special lines of development; in general, the share 

 of France in the world's progress; 



2. The courses of instruction given, now or recently, 

 at the universities of France, particularly at the Uni- 

 versity of Paris; the names of the most important schol- 

 ars, with mention of their principal contributions and of 

 the special fields of research over which they preside; 



3. The facilities available for study and research, 

 including the libraries, laboratories, archives, and mu- 

 seums, the auxiliary institutes, special schools, and learned 

 societies and committees. 



There is also: 



An Introduction, describing the general intellectual 

 spirit of France and Paris, and the interest and attrac- 

 tions that capital and country offer to the foreign scholar; 

 and 



An Appendix, describing the organization of French 

 universities, the standards of preparation expected of the 

 student, the system of degrees, the customs as to resi- 

 dence and attendance, the regulations as to fees and 

 the like; and other facts useful to the visiting student. 



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