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The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau (Volume 4)
The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau - Volume 4 Author:Jean-Jacques Rousseau Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1901. Excerpt: ... ment was made upon reasonable terms, and sufficient to accomplish my object. I had, in print and manuscript, matter for quarto six volumes. I moreover agreed to sup... more »ervise the edition. The merchants were, on their part, to pay me a thousand ecus down, and to assign me an annuity of sixteen hundred French livres for life. [1765.] The agreement was concluded, but not signed, when the Lettres ecrites de la Montagne appeared. The terrible explosion caused by this infernal work, and its abominable author, terrified the company, and the undertaking was at an end. I would compare the effect of this last production to that of La Lettre sur la Musique Franfaise, had not that letter, while it brought upon me hatred and exposed me to danger, acquired me nevertheless respect and esteem. But, after the appearance of the last work, it was matter of astonishment at Geneva and Versailles that such a monster as I should be suffered to exist. The Petit Conseil, excited by the French Resident and directed by the Procureur-General, made a declaration against my work, by which, in the most atrocious terms, it was declared unworthy of being burned by the hands of the hangman, adding, with an address which bordered on the burlesque, that there was no possibility of answering, or even mentioning it, without dishonour. I would here transcribe if I could this curious piece, but unfortunately I have it not by me, and cannot recall to mind a word of it. I ardently wish that some one of my readers, animated by the zeal of truth and equity, would read over the Lettres ecrites de la Montagne. Such will, I dare hope, feel conscious of the stoical moderation which reigns throughout that work, after all the cruel outrages with which the author was loaded. But, unable to answer the abuse, because no part of it could b...« less