La langue française

French may be, in some measure, considered the language of Europe, of a great portion of America and of many of the colonies. Hence, its study has been commensurate with the extension of commerce and the taste for polite learning. /// Great Britain, being a nation widely extended and chiefly commercial, has wisely considered this useful and fashionable language, if not as an essential, at least, as a prominent feature in her national education; in consequence of which, every work of utility on the subject, has been sought with avidity. A superabundance of grammars, dictionaries, and other elementary works, has teemed from the press, insomuch, that one might be induced to think, that there is no room left for improvement. Still, however, a desideratum is wanted, to ease and encourage the pupil in his progress, and to perfect the works already published. /// Every one, the least conversant in French, knows that it abounds with idioms and phrases - that those peculiar forms of expression which so strongly mark its character, constitute not only its chief difficulty of attainment, but also its principal beauty and elegance. -  Ignorant of these, many discoveries and inventions of art and industry, with the productions of the French poets, philosophers and historians, would be lost to the rest of mankind; while we must ever be debarred the pleasure of tasting the classic excellence of their compositions, or of catching the fire and vivacity of their genius. /// Solicited by several of the nobility and gentry - encouraged by the learned, anxious to promote the easy acquisition of my vernacular tongue, and conscious of the worth and purity of my intentions, I have dared to take on me the awful responsability of author, and to present the DICTIONNAIRE IDIOMATIC to an enlightened and discerning public; sanguine in the hope, that it will be found worthy of its patronage and protection, by proving of the utmost service and importance to those who would attain with facility, a perfect knowledge of the language, To private students, or such as have not a master at hand to consult, it must be of superlative value, since by being a book of ready reference, the meaning of any obscure or difficult passage is discovered at a moment’s inspection. ///  Though the necessity of such a work has long been felt, and the want of it greatly lamented, yet it is as singular as it is notorious, that no similar attempt has been made to supply the defect. It is much to be regretted, that men, eminently conspicuous for ability and greatly my superiors in competency, have exercised their talents on subjects of minor interest, to the total disregard of one of such high consideration. They might have rendered a valuable service to society, in the promotion of literature, and have saved me from being subject to the charge of vanity or selfishness, and from what is still more poignant, the embittered shaft of illiberal criticism. ///  In my prospectus, I purposed to subjoin an appendix of tales and synonomies, which would have been nothing more than mere copies or translations from other authors. Preferring use to amusement, and familiar explanation to critical nicety, I have omitted both, in order to be as copious and comprehensive as possible. To this end, I have spared neither time nor attention, consulting minutely every writer of eminence, and, with the exception of low, vulgar, or indelicate expressions, which I have studiously avoided, have selected every phrase and idiom, the least embarrassing. Were I not a foreigner, I should apologize for any inaccuracies that may appear in the English translation; but I console myself with the happy reflection, that I write for a liberal and intelligent people, on whose candor and generosity I entirely throw myself, and who, I trust, will readily pardon the errors for sake of the intention. For typographical errors I shall not hold myself responsible. I have carefully examined every sheet as it issued from the press. Notwithstanding this, many errata may have escaped my vigilance. But let it be observed, that mistakes are unavoidable, particularly in a first edition of an original composition. Should, however, its reception be such as to induce me to publish a second edition, I hope I shall be able to render it still more worthy of public notice. In the mean time, I will feel obliged by free and useful animadversion with any suggestion towards improvement. Thus do I usher this little volume into the world, perfectly recompensed for my labours, if, by being acknowledged to be useful, I have gained the approbation of those whom I have been most solicitous to please.   |||   DICTIONNAIRE IDIOMATIC; or the entire Idioms And Phrases of THE FRENCH LANGUAGE, Alphabetically arranged with AN APPENDIX, containing a copious vocabulary of Flowers, Fruits, Plants, Trees, Nations, Cities, &c. with the whole of the IDIOMS AND PHRASES OF GIL BLAS, apart. By Monsieur Lepan, Professor of the French Language in the College of Armagh. NEWRY: Printed by Alexander Wilkinson, Telegraph-Office. 1814.