With my experience of certain French dictionaries published in England,
I do not wonder that English boys often trust in Providence for the
choice of words, although I cannot help thinking that as a rule they
are most unlucky.
Very few boys have good dictionaries at hand. I know that Smith and
Hamilton's dictionary (in two volumes) costs twenty shillings. But what
is twenty shillings to be helped all through one's coaching? About the
price of a good lawn-tennis racket.
I have seen boys show me, with a radiant air, a French dictionary they
had bought for six-pence.
They thought they had made a bargain.
Oh, free trade! Oh, the cheapest market!
Sixpence for that dictionary! That was not very expensive, I own--but
it was terribly dear.
* * * * *
When an English boy is about to write out his French exercise, he
invariably begins by heading the copy
"FRENCH,"
written with his best hand, on the first line.
This is to avoid any misunderstanding about the language he is going to
use.