The Method of Teaching and Studying the Belles Lettres, Or, an Introduction to Languages, Poetry . &C. Transl

The Method Of Teaching And Studying The Belles Lettres, Or, An Introduction To Languages, Poetry. &C. Transl — Charles Rollin outlines a translated French pedagogical treatise on teaching the belles lettres to university students. It presents a threefold educational aim: intellectual formation through languages (French, Greek, Latin) and liberal arts; moral formation through virtue, public spirit, integrity, and moderation; and religious formation through Christian faith, arguing that religion anchors the civil and moral benefits of learning. The work specifies six parts of study—language study, poetry, rhetoric, history (sacred and classical), philosophy of the sciences, and governance of classroom life—emphasizing practicality, model texts, and selective authors. It defends the use of pagan authorities when filtered through Christian principles, while cautioning against moral or doctrinal contamination. Set in a Parisian university milieu, the text advocates experience-based instruction, translation comparison, and a balanced program of reading, discussion, and composition to cultivate taste, discernment, and virtuous citizenry. Front matter includes translator’s praise and a letter from Francis Atterbury.