18 JANUARY 1868, Page 21

My French Companion to Paris and its Environs. By P.

E. Tapernoux. (Longman.)—The idea of this book is novel, but it might well be adopted by teachers. M. Tapernoux gives his reader a short sketch of what is to be done and seen on the way to Paris and in Paris itself, and having thus taught him to use his eyes, instructs his mouth and ears in the language. Some of M. Tapernonx's English phrases are funny, and we do not think his information about Paris, notably about the restaurants, complete. But he tells the stranger enough for his purpose, and he takes such compassion on the utter stranger that we must not dwell on small blemishes.