I have also taken a
good deal of interest in Benjamin Franklin, before referred to,
sometimes called B.F. or more frequently Frank, in imitation of that
felicitous abbreviation, combining dignity and convenience, adopted
by some of his betters. My acquaintance with the French language is
very imperfect, I having never studied it anywhere but in Paris,
which is awkward, as B.F. devoted himself to it with the peculiar
advantage of an Alsacian teacher. The boy, I think, is doing well,
between us, notwithstanding. The following is an _uncorrected_ French
exercise, written by this young gentleman. His mother thinks it very
creditable to his abilities; though, being unacquainted with the
French language, her judgment cannot be considered final.
LE RAT DES SALONS A LECTURE.
Ce rat ci est un animal fort singulier. Il a deux pattes de derriere
sur lesquelles il marche, et deux pattes de devant dont il fait
usage pour tenir les journaux. Cet animal a le peau noir pour le
plupart, et porte un cercle blanchatre autour de son cou. On le
trouve tous les jours aux dits salons, ou il demeure, digere, s'il y
a de quoi dans son interieur, respire, tousse, eternue, dort, et
ronfle quelquefois, ayant toujours le semblance de lire. On ne sait
pas s'il a une autre gite que cela. Il a l'air d'une bete tres
stupide, mais il est d'une sagacite et d'une vitesse extraordinaire
quand il s'agit de saisir un journal nouveau.
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