French Studies and France. By 0. H. Prior. (Cambridge University
Press. 2s. 6d. net.)—This is the inaugural lecture of the new Drapers Professor of French at Cambridge. It is a skilful plea for the recognition of French studies as an important and fruitful branch of learning. Professor Prior touches on the subtlety of French rhythm, which eludes most English readers of French verse ; on the lucidity and logical precision of French prose ; on the essentially didactic character of all good French literature, which owes much-to the teaching of philosophy in the high schools. " The real Frenchman still awaits the author who will reveal him to the British public." " To become The Foreign Office is issuing to the public, through the acquainted with a Frenchman is a most difficult matter." Stationery Office, the handbooks prepared by experts, under the France " forms a sort of experimental ground for the rest of direction of Sir G. W. Prothero, for the information of the I Europe in politics as well as science." Professor. Prior is right in -taking his subject seriously. A great deal depends on the success of French studies pursued in this spirit by English men and women.
Previous page
