652 
ful, as well_as most agreeable. Accor- 
dingly, in all countries, and in all 
languages, we find a multitude of elemen- 
tary books on this subject ; it must never- 
theless be acknowledged that M. Cnan- 
treau is in the right, where he maintains 
that too little importance is attached to 
this study in the public schools, and that 
such a general negiect must inevitably 
intreduce a vicious method of teaching. 
It is for the express purpuse of remedying 
this that he has undertaken the present 
work, «and endeavoured to discounte- 
nance those puerile methods but too 
frequently adopted. Hitherto history, 
he observes, has been regarded but as a 
secondary branch of instruction, and a 
mere object of memory: he thinks how- 
ever, that it is a subject that calls for 
and demands the severest exercise of 
the judgment. 
To teach it in conformity to his no- 
tions, a variety of preliminary knowledge 
becomes necessary, so as to enable 
youth to study with advantage. He has 
accordingly divided his work into two 
portions, the one of which -he denomi- 
nates the Notional, and the other the Me- 
thodical part. The former is subdivided 
into. chronology, geography, and civil 
organization, which form so many sepa- - 
ate subjects. The course of chronology 
eonstitutes four sections. 
1. Mathematical Chronology, contain- 
ing the notions relative to the division of 
time for the civil and religious usages of 
nations. 
2. Documental, or Historical Chro- 
nology, as necessary for the support of 
facts. 
3. Comparative Chronology, presen- 
ting the calculations relative to the re- 
ciprocal gras adopted by nations. 
4, Chronology of Facts, or the prin- 
cipal events of ancient and modern his- 
tory, properly arranged. 
The present work forms the most ex- 
tensive article on this subject that has 
hitherto appeared; it commences at the 
most remote epoch, and finishes with the 
peace of Amiens, in 1802; thus em- 
bracing fifty-eight centuries, or the space 
of 5,800 vears. The mode here adopted 
is to divide the subject into three dif 
ferent columms, the first of which presents 
the dates, the second the facts, and the 
third the historica! sources or authorities, 
whence the confirmation has been 
drawn. 
In respect to ancient history, the Chro- 
nology of Usher has been followed, and 
in regard to modern times, the autharity 
Retrospect of French Literature— History. 
of the work entitled, [Art de verifier les 
Dates, bas been adopted. The epoch of 
the Olympiegames servesas a landmark te 
the Grecian history ; while that of Rome 
is reckoned from the foundation of the 
city. The Hegirais used for the history 
of the Saracens and all the Mahomme- 
dan nations ; and ir respect to France, 
the division of time is so adjusted, as to 
make the Revolution the chief era. 
Adopting a different system from the 
writers who have preceded him, M. 
Chantreau has divided biographical 
chronology into two sections; the ene™ 
political, and the other literary: in the 
former of these is contained the sove- 
reigns, the generals, the statesmen, &c. 
while the second presents the philoso- 
phers, the historians, the men of letters, | 
the lawyers, the mathematicians, and the 
artists. 
‘This is a most laborious work, and has 
evidently occupied a large portion of the 
author’s time; but whatever may be its 
traits, it is too voluminous fer translation. 
“* Memoires et Lettres du Maréchal 
de Tessé, contenant des Anecdotes et 
des Facts historiques,” &c.—The Memoirs 
and Letters of Marshal de Tessé; 
containing historical facts and anecdotes 
hitherto unknown, relative to certain 
portions of the reigns of Louis XIV. and 
XV. 2 vols. 8vo, 
The late Marshal de Tessé was con- 
sidered by his contemporaries as a man 
of talents; he was accordingly employed | 
to negociate with several different courts, 
and kept up a direct correspondence 
with Louis XIV. As he was acquainted 
with all the celebrated men of his day, he 
was of course enabled to estimate their 
respective merits, and thus at once amuse 
and instruct posterity. Ilis life precedes 
his correspondence, &e. 
“ Les Anténors modernes, ou Voyages 
de Christine et de Casimir en France, 
pendant le Regne de Louis XIV. esquisse 
des meeurs générales du 17e. siécle, 
d’ apres les Mémoires des deux Ex-sou- 
verains.—The modern Antenors, or Tra- 
vels of Christine and Casimir in France, 
during the Reign of Louis XIV; con- 
taining a sketch of the manners of the 
17th century, &c. continued by HveEt, 
bishop of Avranches. 
“The subjeet of this work,” says the 
author in his preface, “is extracted from 
the following neglected passage in the 
younger Racine,* while treating of the 
age of Louis XIV.” 
rT; Tt 
* Refiexions cur la Poesie. 
