Books on foreign slang are very numerous. Besides those already mentioned the following are well known:—“Le Jargon, ou Langage de l’Argot reformé,” &c. (à Troyés), par Yves Girardin, 1660; another by Antoine Dubois, 1680; “Le Jargon ou Langage de l’Argot reformé, pour l’instruction des bons Grivois,” &c., à Lavergne, chex Mezière, Babillandier du Grand Coëre, 1848; “Le Jargon de l’Argot,” par Techener (several editions).
Alfred Delvau published his “Dictionnaire de la Langue Verte, Argots Parisiens comparés,” in 1866, and a second edition in 1867. A third “augmentée d’un supplément par G. Fustier” appeared in 1883. The same author published the “Dictionnaire Erotique Moderne” in 1864. Other editions followed in 1874 and 1875.
Lorédan Larchey wrote “Les Excentricités de la Langue Française” in 1860; the fourth edition appeared in 1862. In 1872 the title was changed to “Dictionnaire Historique Etymologique et Anecdotique de l’Argot Parisien. Sixième Edition des Excentricités du Langage mise à la hauteur des Revolutions du Jour.” In 1880 the eighth edition was called “Dictionnaire Historique d’Argot”; and a supplement appeared in 1883.
It has not been attempted here to give more than a brief bibliography of the principal French works treating of Argot in an explanatory, or historical manner.
Those who wish to pursue the subject further, and to study examples, must consult the old poems of Maitre Francois Villon and Molière, and the writings of Rabelais, Beaumarchais, Eugene Sue, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Champfleury, Honoré de Balzac, Pierre de Brantôme, Alphonse Daudet, Emile Gaboriau, Charles Nodier, Jean Richepin, and the classical Memoires de Monsieur Vidocq.
CROSS READINGS.
| A Letter of Recommendation from Cardinal Richelieu. | |
|---|---|
| Mr. Campoa, Savoyard and Friar, | of the holy order of St. Bennet, |
| is to be the bearer to you of | some news from me, by means of |
| this letter; he is one of the most | discreet, wise, and least |
| vicious persons that I ever yet knew, | amongst all I have conversed with |
| and hath earnestly desired me | to write to you in his favour, and |
| to give him a letter for you of | credence in his behalf and my |
| recommendation, which to his | merit (I assure you) rather than his |
| importunity, I have granted; for | he deserves greatly your esteem, and |
| I should be sorry you should be | backward to oblige him by being |
| mistaken in not knowing him, | I should be concern’d if you were |
| as very many others have been | already upon that account, |
| who are of my best friends. | Hence, and for no other motive, |
| I am desirous to advertise you | that you are obliged for my sake |
| to take especial notice of him, | to pay him all possible respect, |
| and to say nothing before him | that may offend or displease him |
| in any sort; for I may truly | say, he is a worthy man, and |
| assure you, there can’t be a more | convincing argument of an |
| unworthy person in the world, | than to be able to injure him. |
| I am sure, that as soon as you | cease being a stranger to his virtue, & |
| have any acquaintance with him, | you will love him as well as I, and |
| I shall receive thanks for the advice. | The assurance I have of your |
| Civility hindereth me to write | farther of him to you, or to say |
| any more on the subject. | |
An invention of the like kind is the Jesuits Double-faced Creed, which was published in the history of Popery, 1679, and which, according to the different readings, may suit either Papist or Protestant.