LANGUAGE AS A MEANS OF MENTAL CULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION; OR MANUAL OF THE TEACHER AND THE LEARNER OF LANGUAGES. BY C. MARCEL, KNT. LEG. HON.: FRENCH CONSUL. "L'étude des langues est la première et la plus indispensable de toutes les études."-P. H. SUZANNE. "Les méthodes sont les maîtres des maîtres."-TALLEYRAND. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, PICCADILLY. 1853. 301. c. 6. TO BARON DE MACKAU, DEAR SIR, THIS Essay, which I beg to dedicate to you, is the development of the ideas I expressed at your hospitable château of Villepatour, when we were conversing on the best means of educating our children. If it assist in improving the present system of instruction, the greater share of the credit will be due to you; for it owes its existence to your kind and reiterated encouragement. Education, whose noble office is to aid and direct the free agency of man, could not have a truer patron than the philanthropist, the enlightened minister, who laid the basis of the emancipation of slaves in the French colonies. In all ages, in all climes, for nations as for individuals, ignorance is identified with slavery, and education with liberty. I have the honour to be, Dear Sir, Your devoted and respectful servant, C. MARCEL. |