Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys
Fenelon's Treatise
on the
Education of Daughters;
Translanted from the French and Adapted to
English Readers
With an Original Chapter, "On Religious Studies."
By the Rev. T. F. Dibdin, B. A. F. A. S
Albany; printed and published by Backus and
Whiting, 1806.
Thanks to Pamela Wozniak and David Collins for letting us use their book for the purpose of putting it on the internet.
Preface.
THE Translation of the following Work -was undertaken at the request of Mr. RUFF, the Publisher, who wished me to paraphrase what I thought might "more particularly interest and edify the English reader.
It is dedicated, by the Publisher, to her Grace the DUTCHESS OF BEDFORD--and he is anxious that it may be found worthy of her patronage.
The original French work was first published in 1688 ; and the earliest English translation appeared in 1707. This translation, which was by Dr. Hickes, I have never seen. In the year 1797, another [anonymous] English translation was printed at Hull, in a duodecimo volume.- In this performance there is so close an adherence to the idiom of the French language, that almost every page abounds with gallicisms. It is not, however, entirely destitute of merit; but it appears, on the whole to have been hastily executed for the purpose of ensuring a cheap and extensive sale.
The present translation is offered to the public, with a full conviction of its inadequacy to give a just idea of the beauty and force of the original. The author of " Telemaque" and " De l' Education des Filles" appears, on a comparison of these two performances, very unlike the same writer. In the former, his periods are flowing and luxuriant ; in the latter, they are sententious and logical; and nearly as difficult to clothe in an English dress as those of the philosophical Tacitus.
It will be seen, therefore, that a literal translation has not been attempted; and a still greater deviation will be observable, from a wish to distinguish it from the translation of 1797. Whether this has always been done for the better, the reader will determine for himself.
The Original Chapter " ON RELIGIOUS STUDIES" has been submitted to those, whose opinions, matured by experience, I have been anxious to obtain; and, it has received the sanction of their approbation.
If the Work fail of success, it will not be from the want of spirit in the Publisher, for it is accompanied with considerable beauty of type and paper, and elegance of ornament.
The design is every way worthy of the ingenious artist by whom
it was executed, and who has long been known to the world from the taste and
fidelity of his pencil. The engraving, by Mr.Freeman,* will convince the public
that he requires only to be known, to be more generally encouraged.
T. F. D.
TERRACE, KENSINGTON,
June 2, 1805.
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