Address of the english author to thefrench public.
I have long been desirous that acomplete French translation of the books I have written should bemade, and should be published in an uniform series.
Hitherto, less fortunate in France thanin Germany, I have only been known to French readers not thoroughlyacquainted with the English language, through occasional,fragmentary and unauthorized translations over which I have had nocontrol, and from which I have derived no advantage.
The present translation of my writingswas proposed to me by Messrs. L. Hachette and Co. and Ch. Lahure ina manner equally spirited, liberal, and generous. It has been madewith the greatest care, and its many difficulties have beencombated with unusual skill, intelligence andperseverance.
It has been superintended, above ail, byan accomplished gentleman, perfectly acquainted with bothlanguages, and able, with a rare felicity, to be perfectly faithfulto the English text, while rendering it in elegant and expressiveFrench.
I am proud to be so presented to thegreat French people, whom I sincerely love and honour, and to beknown and approved by whom must be an aspiration of every labourerin the Arts, for which France has done so much, and in which shehas made herself renowned through the world.
This is the only edition of my writingsthat has my sanction. I humbly and respectfully, but with fullconfidence, recommend it to my French readers.
Charles Dickens.
Tavistock-House, London, January 17th,1857.