Modern Prose And Poetry; For Secondary Schools Part 2

Monsieur unhooked the lantern, and I followed through the garden and down the terrace steps.

At the water's edge was a bench holding two figures.

Monsieur turned his lantern, and the light fell upon the face of young Francois.

When the bow grated on the opposite bank I shook his hand, and said, in parting, pointing to the lovers,--

"The same old story, Monsieur?"

"Yes; and always new. You must come to the church."

NOTES

=Harlem River=:--Note that this river is in New York City, not in France as one might suppose from the name of the selection.

=Devonshire=:--A very attractive county of southwestern England.

=filet=:--A thick slice of meat or fish.

=charmant=:--The French word for _charming_.

=Roquefort=:--A kind of cheese.

=Sacre! Vous etes le diable=:--Curses! You are the very deuce.

=pa.s.se-partouts=:--Engraved ornamental borders for pictures.

=gendarme=:--A policeman of France.

=Napoleon III=:--Emperor of the French, 1852-1870. He was elected president of the Republic in 1848; he seized full power in 1851; in 1852, he was proclaimed emperor. He was a nephew of the great Napoleon.

=confrere=:--A close a.s.sociate.

=Garibaldi=:--Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian patriot (1807-1882).

=Chianti=:--A kind of Italian wine.

=Bronx=:--A small river in the northern part of New York City.

=Restaurant Francais=:--French restaurant.

=the painter=:--A rope at the bow of a boat.

=C'est merveilleux=:--It's wonderful.

=Mon Dieu=:--Good heavens!

=pate de fois gras=:--A delicacy made of fat goose livers.

=Chateau Lamonte, '62=:--A kind of wine; the date refers to the year in which it was bottled.

=Oui, mon pere=:--Yes, father.

=mon ami=:--My friend.

=the little affair of December 2=:--On December 2, 1851, Louis Napoleon overawed the French legislature and a.s.sumed absolute power. Just a year later he had himself proclaimed Emperor.

=Louis=:--Napoleon III.

=Victor Hugo=:--French poet and novelist (1802-1885).

=Louis Blanc=:--French author and politician (1812-1882).

=Changarnier=:--p.r.o.nounced _shan gar ny[=a]'_; Nicholas Changarnier, a French general (1793-1877).

=Cavaignac=:--p.r.o.nounced _ka vay nyak'_; Louis Eugene Cavaignac, a French general (1803-1857). He ran for the Presidency against Louis Napoleon.

=Porte St. Martin=:--The beginning of the Boulevard St. Martin, in Paris.

=Rue Royale=:--_Rue_ is the French word for _street_.

=elysee=:--A palace in Paris used as a residence by Napoleon III.

=one hundred francs=:--About twenty dollars.

SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY

What does the t.i.tle suggest to you? At what point do you change your idea as to the location of Laguerre's? Do you know of any picturesque places that are somewhat like the one described here? Could you describe one of them for the cla.s.s? Why do people usually not appreciate the scenery near at hand? What do you think of the plan of "seeing America first"? What is meant here by "my traps"? Why is it better to wait for Madame? Why does Madame talk so crossly? What sort of person is she? See if you can tell accurately, from what follows in later pages, why Monsieur left Paris so hastily. How does the author give you an idea of Francois Laguerre's appearance? Why does the author stop to give us the two paragraphs beginning, "There is a quality," and "Then came a long interval"? How does he get back to his subject? Why does he not let Lucette bail the boat? Who does bail it at last? Why? Do you think that every artist enjoys his work as the writer seems to enjoy his? How does he make you feel the pleasure of it? Why is there more enjoyment in eating out of doors than in eating in the house? Why does the author sprinkle little French phrases through the piece? Is it a good plan to use foreign phrases in this way? What kind of man is Monsieur Laguerre?

Review his story carefully. Why was the police agent murdered? Who killed him? Why has Monsieur Laguerre never found out what became of Cambier?

This selection deals with a number of different subjects: Why does it not seem "choppy"? How does the author manage to link the different parts together? How would you describe this piece to some one who had not read it? Mr. Smith is an artist who paints in water-colors: do you see how his painting influences his writing?

THEME SUBJECTS

Madame Laguerre Old-fashioned Garden The Ferry Sketching An Old Pasture The Stream Good Places to Sketch Learning to Paint An Old Man with a History An Incident in French History Getting Dinner under Difficulties A Scene in the Kitchen Washing at the Pump The Flight of the Suspect Crossing the Ocean penniless The Foreigner Looking for Work A Dinner out of Doors The French Family at Home The Cellar Some Pictures that I Like A Restaurant A Country Inn What my Foreign Neighbors Eat Landscapes The Artist

SUGGESTIONS FOR WRITING

=The Stream=:--Plan a description of some stream that you know well.

Imagine yourself taking a trip up the stream in a boat. Tell something of the weather and the time of day. Speak briefly of the boat and its occupants. Describe the first picturesque spot: the trees and flowers; the buildings, if there are any; the reflections in the water; the people that you see. Go on from point to point, describing the particularly interesting places. Do not try to do too much. Vary your account by telling of the boats you meet. Perhaps there will be some brief dialogues that you can report, or some little adventures that you can relate. Close your theme by telling of your arrival at your destination, or of your turning about to go back down the stream.

=An Old Man with a History=:--Perhaps you can take this from real life; or perhaps you know some interesting old man whose early adventures you can imagine. Tell briefly how you happened to know the old man. Describe him. Speak of his manners, his way of speaking; his character as it appeared when you knew him. How did you learn his story? Imagine him relating it. Where was he when he told it? How did he act? Was he willing to tell the story, or did he have to be persuaded? Tell the story simply and directly, in his words, breaking it now and then by a comment or a question from the listener (or listeners). It might be well to explain occasionally how the old man seemed to feel, what expressions his face a.s.sumed, and what gestures he made. Go on thus to the end of the story. Is it necessary for you to make any remarks at the last, after the man has finished?

=A Country Inn=:--See the outline for a similar subject on page 229.