The Method of Teaching and Studying the Belles Lettres

1

THE

METHOD

OF

TEACHING and STUDYING

THE

BELLES LETTRES,

OR

An Introduction to LANGUAGES, POETRY,
RHETORIC, HISTORY, MORAL
PHILOSOPHY, PHYSICKS, &c.

WITH

Reflections on TASTE; and Inftructions with
regard to the ELOQUENCE of the PULPIT,
the BAR and the STAGE.

The whole illuftrated with Paffages from the most
famous POETS and ORATORS, antient and mo-
dern, with Critical Remarks on them.

Defigned more particularly for STUDENTS in
the UNIVERSITIES.

By Mr. ROLLIN, late Principal of the Univerfity of
Paris, now Profeffor of Eloquence in the Royal College,
and Member of the Royal Academy of Infcriptions and
Belles Letters.

Tranflated from the French.

In FOUR VOLUMES.

LONDON:

Printed for A. BETTESWORTH and C. HITCH, at the Red-
Lyon in Pater-nofter Row. MDCCXXXIV.

LIBRARY

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
DAVIS

By the

TRANSLATOR.

THE
Thas already acquired fent eat a

HE Work we bere prefent the English Reader, bas already acquired fo great a Reputation all over Europe, that it would perhaps be impertinent to attempt a Panegyric of it in this Place. For the most learned and ingenious Journalists bave honoured it with the highest and most juft Encomiums in their periodical Pieces, and applauded it as one of the compleatest Trea tifes ever published on the Subject of polite Literature. Nor have particular Writers of the greatest Fame and the finest Taste been wanting in their Praises of it; and to name only two of different Nations: the late Bifhop Atterbury, whofe Knowledge in the various Topicks bere treated of is univerfally allowed, gives it the bigbeft Character in a Letter be fent to the Author, on receiving this Work from him; and the celebrated Mr. de Voltaire, tho' he has taken upon him to exclude a great number of eminent Writers of bis own Country from his Temple of Tafte, has yet given our Author a very honourable place in it. In fhort, were we to transcribe all the Elogiums which have been made on this Compofition, we should write a Volume instead of a Preface.

This Treatife is not merely the refult of Speculation, but of a great many years Practice in a Univerfity to which feveral of the most eminent Men in France ow'd their Education. No Preceptor feems to have studied more carefully, the various Genius's, Difpofitions, and Inclinations of Youth, nor to have been more fuccefsful in his Labour than our Author. The manner in which he has drawn up this exA 2

cellent

cellent Work proves him equal to it in every respect; and the tender and affectionate Touches with which it is interfperfed, fhew him to have been the kindeft Mafter. If ever Tutor ftrewed the Paths to Science with Rofes, 'tis Mr. Rollin. Thrice happy the Pupils who were under the Tuition of a Gentleman, in whom Knowledge and Sweetness of Temper are fo agreeably blended?

'Tis too often obferved, that when mere Scholars (especially thofe concerned in the Education of Youth) take up the Pen, their Productions betray an air of Pedantry which is very diftafteful to Perfons of a polite turn of Mind and Behaviour. But nothing of this Character is feen in our Author. He difcovers fo confummate a Knowledge in the feveral Arts be profeffed, that to confider him in this Light, one would conclude he had never stirred out of a College; and, on the other fide, so much of the fine Gentleman in the drefs of his Style and Diction, that one would imagine he had spent his whole Life in Courts.

A Circumftance which reflects the highest Honour on him, is his great Modefty. Learning is but too apt to elate the Mind, and to make those who are poffeffed of it, look with the highest Contempt on all fuch as cannot boaft the fame Advantages; but it had a quite different Effect on Mr. Rollin. This Gentleman, fo far from delivering himself in a magifterial Tone, fpeaks always in the mildest and most fubmiffive Terms. In his Work, 'tis not the Pedagogue who inftructs us, but the fond Parent, the amiable Friend.

THE