TRANSLATOR TO THE READER
Having, contrary to the ordinary practice, translated this work from the French copy, rather than from the original itself, it is proper to inform the reader, that I do so, yielding to the reasons and authority of competent judges, who understand perfectly the French, Spanish, and English languages. They told me, were they to translate Rodriguez, they would be better pleased to follow the French copy of Mors, des Marais, than the Spanish original 1st, Because the style of M. des Marais' translation is more even than that of the Spanish original, a circumstance which indeed cannot be wondered at, as the author wrote at different and distant periods. 2dly, Because the French approaches nearer than the Spanish to the English idiom. It is to the observations of those competent judges I am indebted, not only for the first idea I conceived of undertaking this work, but likewise for the preference I gave the French copy.
While engaged in translating it I had the advantage of seriously and frequently perusing this book: and, as usually happens to those who peruse works of merit, the oftener I read, the more I admired it. Besides, the abilities, experience, and application of M. des Marais, who, in France, is admitted to be one of the most eminent critics of the age, will certainly give his translation ,more than ordinary celebrity. Having thus stated the reasons of my own undertaking, I will proceed to give the following account of the Author's Work and Life, extracted from the Preface of M. des Marais.
Lest, says he, the Author's Dedicatory Epistle to the Fathers of the Society should not convey such idea of his work as to display fully its merits and excellence, I shall add this short eulogy: — It abounds in most solid principles of Christian morality — it is written with that spirit and unction which characterize the scriptures and the writings of the holy fathers. It is historical and learned — it is eminently calculated to conduct all sorts of persons both to and in the way of perfection. Here the man of learning, who wishes to be guided by the great
