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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Baron d'Holbach, by Max Pearson Cushing
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Baron d'Holbach
+       A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France
+
+Author: Max Pearson Cushing
+
+Posting Date: March 18, 2009 [EBook #5621]
+Release Date: May, 2004
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BARON D'HOLBACH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Ross and Richard Farris
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BARON D'HOLBACH
+
+A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France
+
+
+
+By Max Pearson Cushing
+
+
+
+
+     Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
+     for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, in
+     the Faculty of Political Science,
+     Columbia University
+
+     New York
+
+     1914
+
+
+     Press of
+     The New Era Printing Company
+     Lancaster, PA
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+  Introduction.
+
+  CHAPTER I.  HOLBACH THE MAN.
+
+     Early Letters to John Wilkes.
+
+     Holbach's family.
+
+     Relations with Diderot, Rousseau, Hume, Garrick
+       and other important persons of the century.
+
+     Estimate of Holbach.  His character and personality.
+
+
+  CHAPTER II.  HOLBACH'S WORKS.
+
+     Miscellaneous Works.
+
+     Translations of German Scientific Works.
+
+     Translations of English Deistical Writers.
+
+     Boulanger's _Antiquité dévoilée_.
+
+     Original Works: _Le Christianisme devoilé_.
+     _Théologie portative_.
+     _La Contagion sacrée_.
+     _Essai sur les préjugés_.
+     _Le bons-sens_.
+
+
+  CHAPTER III.  THE _Système de la Nature_ AND ITS PHILOSOPHY.
+
+     Voltaire's correspondence on the subject.
+
+     Goethe's sentiment.
+
+     Refutations and criticisms.
+
+     Holbach's philosophy.
+
+
+  APPENDIX.  HOLBACH'S CORRESPONDENCE.
+
+     Five unpublished letters to John Wilkes.
+
+
+  [ENDNOTES]
+
+
+  BIBLIOGRAPHY.
+
+    Part I.  Editions of Holbach's works in Chronological Order.
+
+    Part II.  General Bibliography.
+
+
+
+
+
+BARON D'HOLBACH
+
+
+     A une extréme justesse d'esprit il joignait une simplicité
+     de moeurs tout-à-fait antique et patriarcale.
+
+              J. A. Naigeon, _Journal de Paris_, le 9 fev. 1789
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+Diderot, writing to the Princess Dashkoff in 1771, thus analysed the
+spirit of his century:
+
+Chaque siècle a son esprit qui le caractérise. L'esprit du nôtre semble
+être celui de la liberté. La première attaque contre la superstition a
+été violente, sans mesure. Une fois que les hommes ont osé d'une manière
+quelconque donner l'assaut à la barrière de la religion, cette barrière
+la plus formidable qui existe comme la plus respectée, il est impossible
+de s'arrêter. Dès qu'ils ont tourné des regards menaçants contre la
+majesté du ciel, ils ne manqueront pas le moment d'après de les diriger
+contre la souveraineté de la terre. Le câble qui tient et comprime
+l'humanité est formé de deux cordes, l'une ne peut céder sans que
+l'autre vienne à rompre. [Endnote 1:1]
+
+The following study proposes to deal with this attack on religion that
+preceded and helped to prepare the French Revolution. Similar phenomena
+are by no means rare in the annals of history; eighteenth-century
+atheism, however, is of especial interest, standing as it does at the
+end of a long period of theological and ecclesiastical disintegration
+and prophesying a reconstruction of society on a purely rational and
+naturalistic basis. The anti-theistic movement has been so obscured by
+the less thoroughgoing tendency of deism and by subsequent romanticism
+that the real issue in the eighteenth century has been largely lost from
+view. Hence it has seemed fit to center this study about the man who
+stated the situation with the most unmistakable and uncompromising
+clearness, and who still occupies a unique though obscure position in
+the history of thought.
+
+Holbach has been very much neglected by writers on the eighteenth
+century. He has no biographer. M. Walferdin wrote (in an edition of
+Diderot's Works, Paris, 1821, Vol. XII p. 115): "Nous nous occupons
+depuis longtemps à rassembler les matériaux qui doivent servir à venger
+la mémoire du philosophe de la patrie de Leibnitz, et dans l'ouvrage
+que nous nous proposons de publier sous le titre "D'Holbach jugé par
+ses contemporains" nous espérons faire justement apprécier ce savant
+si estimable par la profondeur et la variété de ses connaissances, si
+précieux à sa famille et à ses amis par la pureté et la simplicité
+de ses moeurs, en qui la vertu était devenue une habitude et la
+bienfaisance un besoin." This work has never appeared and M. Tourneux
+thinks that nothing of it was found among M. Walferdin's papers. [2:2]
+In 1834 Mr. James Watson published in an English translation of the
+_Système de la Nature_, _A Short Sketch of the Life and the Writings
+of Baron d'Holbach_ by Mr. Julian Hibbert, compiled especially for
+that edition from Saint Saurin's article in Michaud's _Biographie
+Universelle_ (Paris, 1817, Vol. XX, pp. 460-467), from Barbier's _Dict.
+des ouvrages anonymes_ (Paris, 1822) and from the preface to the Paris
+edition of the _Système de la Nature_ (4 vols., 18mo, 1821). This sketch
+was later published separately (London, 1834, 12mo, pp. 14) but on
+account of the author's sudden death it was left unfinished and is of no
+value from the point of view of scholarship. Another attempt to publish
+something on Holbach was made by Dr. Anthony C. Middleton of Boston in
+1857. In the preface to his translation to the _Lettres à Eugenia_
+he speaks of a "Biographical Memoir of Baron d'Holbach which I am
+now preparing for the press." If ever published at all this _Memoir_
+probably came to light in the _Boston Investigator_, a free-thinking
+magazine published by Josiah P. Mendum, 45 Cornhill, Boston, but it is
+not to be found. Mention should also be made of the fact that M. Assézat
+intended to include in a proposed study of Diderot and the philosophical
+movement, a chapter to be devoted to Holbach and his society; but this
+work has never appeared. [3:3]
+
+Of the two works bearing Holbach's name as a title, one is a piece of
+libellous fiction by Mme. de Genlis, _Les Diners du baron d'Holbach_
+(Paris, 1822, 8vo), the other a romance pure and simple by F. T. Claudon
+(Paris, 1835, 2 vols., 8vo) called _Le Baron d'Holbach_, the events of
+which take place largely at his house and in which he plays the rôle
+of a minor character. A good account of Holbach, though short and
+incidental, is to be found in M. Avézac-Lavigne's _Diderot et la Société
+du Baron d'Holbach_ (Paris, 1875, 8vo), and M. Armand Gasté has a little
+book entitled _Diderot et le cure de Montchauvet, une Mystification
+littéraire chez le Baron d'Holbach_ (Paris, 1895, 16vo). There are
+several works which devote a chapter or section to Holbach. [3:4] The
+French critics and the histories of philosophy contain slight notices;
+Rosenkranz's "Diderot's Leben" devotes a chapter to Granval, Holbach's
+country seat, and life there as described by Diderot in his letters to
+Mlle. Volland; and he is included in such histories of ideas as
+Soury, J., "Bréviaire de l'histoire de Matérialisme" (Paris, 1881)
+and Delvaille, J., _Essai sur l'histoire de l'idée de progrès_
+(Paris, 1910); but nowhere else is there anything more than the merest
+encyclopedic account, often defective and incorrect.
+
+The sources are in a sense full and reliable for certain phases of his
+life and literary activity. His own publications, numbering about fifty,
+form the most important body of source material for the history and
+development of his ideas. Next in importance are contemporary memoirs
+and letters including those of Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Grimm,
+Morellet, Marmontel, Mme. d'Epinay, Naigeon, Garat, Galiani, Hume,
+Garrick, Wilkes, Romilly and others; and scattered letters by Holbach
+himself, largely to his English friends. In addition there is a large
+body of contemporary hostile criticism of his books, by Voltaire,
+Frederick II, Castillon, Holland, La Harpe, Delisle de Sales and a host
+of outraged ecclesiastics, so that one is well informed in regard to the
+scandal that his books caused at the time. Out of these materials
+and other scattered documents and notices it is possible to
+reconstruct--though somewhat defectively--the figure of a man who played
+an important rôle in his own day; but whose name has long since lost its
+significance--even in the ears of scholars. It is at the suggestion of
+Professor James Harvey Robinson that this reconstruction has been made.
+If it shall prove of any interest or value he must be credited with the
+initiation of the idea as well as constant aid in its realization. For
+rendering possible the necessary investigations, recognition is due
+to the administration and officers of the Bibliothèque Nationale, the
+British Museum, the Library of Congress, the Libraries of Columbia and
+Harvard Universities, Union and Andover Theological Seminaries, and the
+Public Libraries of Boston and New York.
+
+
+M. P. C.
+
+NEW YORK CITY,
+
+July, 1914.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I. HOLBACH, THE MAN.
+
+
+Paul Heinrich Dietrich, or as he is better known, Paul-Henri Thiry,
+baron d'Holbach, was born in January, 1723, in the little village of
+Heidelsheim (N.W. of Carlsruhe) in the Palatinate. Of his parentage and
+youth nothing is known except that his father, a rich parvenu, according
+to Rousseau, [5:5] brought him to Paris at the age of twelve, where he
+received the greater part of his education. His father died when Holbach
+was still a young man. It may be doubted if young Holbach inherited
+his title and estates immediately as there was an uncle "Messire
+Francois-Adam, Baron d'Holbach, Seigneur de Héeze, Léende et autres
+Lieux" who lived in the rue Neuve S. Augustin and died in 1753. His
+funeral was held at Saint-Roch, his parish church, Thursday, September
+16th, where he was afterward entombed. [5:6] Holbach was a student in
+the University of Leyden in 1746 and spent a good deal of time at his
+uncle's estate at Héeze, a little town in the province of North Brabant
+(S.E. of Eindhoven). He also traveled and studied in Germany. There are
+two manuscript letters in the British Museum (Folio 30867, pp. 14, 18,
+20) addressed by Holbach to John Wilkes, which throw some light on his
+school-days. It is interesting to note that most of Holbach's friends
+were young Englishmen of whom there were some twenty-five at the
+University of Leyden at that time. [6:7] Already at the age of
+twenty-three Holbach was writing very good English, and all his life he
+was a friend of Englishmen and English ideas. His friendship for Wilkes,
+then a lad of nineteen, lasted all his life and increased in intimacy
+and dignity. The two letters following are of interest because they
+are the only documents we have bearing on Holbach's early manhood. They
+reveal a certain sympathy and feeling--rather gushing to be sure--quite
+unlike anything in his later writings, and quite out of line with the
+supposedly cold temper of a materialist and an atheist.
+
+[Footnote: These letters, contrary to modern usage, are printed with all
+the peculiarities of eighteenth century orthography. It was felt
+that they would lose their quaintness and charm if Holbach's somewhat
+fantastic English were trifled with or his spelling, capitalization and
+punctuation modernized.]
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+
+HÉEZE Aug. 9, 1746
+
+_Dearest Friend_
+
+I should not have felt by half enough the pleasure your kind letter gave
+me, If I had words to express it; I never doubted of your friendship,
+nor I hope do you know me so little as to doubt of mine, but your letter
+is full of such favorable sentiments to me that I must own I cannot
+repay them but by renewing to you the entire gift of my heart that has
+been yours ever since heaven favour'd me with your acquaintance. I need
+not tell you the sorrow our parting gave me, in vain Philosophy cried
+aloud nature was still stronger and the philosopher was forced to yield
+to the friend, even now I feel the wound is not cur'd. Therefore no more
+of that--_Hope_ is my motto. Telling me you are happy you make me so
+but in the middle of your happiness you dont forget your friend, What
+flattering thought to me! Such are the charms of friendship every
+event is shar'd and nothing nor even the greatest intervals are able to
+interrupt the happy harmony of truly united minds. I left Leyden about 8
+or 10 days after you but before my departure I thought myself obliged to
+let Mr Dowdenwell know what you told me, he has seen the two letters Mr
+Johnson had received and I have been mediator of ye peace made betwixt
+the 2 parties, I don't doubt but you have seen by this time Messrs Bland
+& Weatherill who were to set out for Engelland the same week I parted
+with them. When I was leaving Leyden Mr Vernon happen'd to tell me he
+had a great mind to make a trip to Spa. So my uncles' estate being on
+ye road I desir'd him to come along with me, he has been here a week
+and went on afterwards in his journey, at my arrival here, I found that
+General Count Palfi with an infinite number of military attendants had
+taken possession of my uncles' house, and that the 16 thousd men lately
+come from Germany to strengthen the allies army, commanded by Count
+Bathiani and that had left ye neighborhood of Breda a few days before
+and was come to Falkenswert (where you have past in your journey to
+Spa) one hour from hence. Prince Charles arrived here the same day from
+Germany to take ye command of the allies, the next Day the whole army
+amounting to 70thd men went on towards the county of Liège to prevent
+the French from beseiging Namur, I hear now that the two armies are only
+one hour from another, so we expect very soon the news of a great battle
+but not without fear, Count Saxes army being, by all account of hundred
+ten thoud. men besides. Prince Counti's army of 50 thd. this latter
+General is now employ'd at the siege of Charleroy, that can't resist
+a long while, it is a report that the King of France is arrived in
+his army, I hope this long account will entertain you for want of news
+papers: Mr. Dowdeswell being left alone of our club at Leyden I Desir'd
+him to come and spend with me the time of his vacations here, which
+proposal I hope he will accept and be here next week. What happy
+triumvirat would be ours if you were to join: but that is impossible at
+present; however those who cant enjoy reality are fond of feeding their
+fancies with agreable Dreams and charming pictures; that helps a little
+to sooth the sorrow of absence and makes one expect with more pati[ence]
+till fortune allows him to put in execution the cherish'd systems he has
+been fed upon fore some [time] I shall expect with great many thanks the
+books you are to send me; it will be for me a dubble pleasure to read
+them, being of your choice which I value as much as it deserves, and
+looking at them as upon a new proof of your benevolence, as to those I
+design'd to get from Paris for you, I heard I could not get them before
+my uncles' return hither all commerce being stopt by the way betwixt
+this country and France.
+
+A few days before my departure from Leyden I receiv'd a letter from
+Mr Freeman from Berlin, he seams vastly pleas'd with our Germany, and
+chiefly with Hambourg where a beautiful lady has taken in his heart the
+room of poor Mss. Vitsiavius, my prophesy was just; traveling seems to
+have alter'd a good deal his melancholy disposition as I may conjecture
+by his way of writing. He desired his service to you. As to me, Idleness
+renders me every day more philosopher every passion is languishing
+within me, I retain but one in a warm degree, viz, friendship in
+which you share no small part. I took a whim to study a little Physic
+accordingly I purchased several books in that Way, and my empty hours
+here are employ'd with them. I am sure your time will be much better
+employ'd at Alesbury you'll find there a much nobler entertainment
+Cupid is by far Lovlier than Esculapius, however I shall not envy your
+happiness, in the Contrary I wish that all your desires be crown'd with
+success, that a Passion that proves fatal to great many of men be void
+of sorrow for you, that all the paths of love be spred over with flowers
+in one Word that you may not address in vain to the charming Mss. M. I
+am almost tempted to fall in love with that unknown beauty, 't would not
+be quite like Don Quixotte for your liking to her would be for me a very
+strong prejudice of her merit, which the poor Knight had not in his love
+for Dulcinea.
+
+I shall not ask your pardon for the length of this letter I am sure
+friendship will forgive the time I steal to Love however I cannot give
+up so easily a conversation with a true friend with whom I fancy to
+speak yet in one of those delightfull evening walks at Leyden. It is
+a dream, I own it, but it is so agreable one to me that nothing but
+reality could be compared to the pleasure I feel: let me therefore
+insist a little more upon't and travel with my Letter, we are gone! I
+think to be at Alesbury! there I see my Dear Wilkes! What a Flurry
+of Panions! Joy! fear of a second parting! what charming tears! what
+sincere Kisses!--but time flows and the end of this Love is now as
+unwelcome to me, as would be to another to be awaken'd in the middle of
+a Dream wherein he is going to enjoy a beloved mistress; the enchantment
+ceases, the delightfull images vanish, and nothing is left to me but
+friendship, which is of all my possessions the fairest, and the surest,
+I am most sincerely Dear Wilkes
+
+ Your affectionate friend and humble servant
+ DE HOLBACH
+Heze the 9th august 1746 N. S.
+
+I shall expect with impatience the letter you are to write me from
+Alesbury. Will it be here very soon!
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES [HÉEZE Dec. 3rd. 1746]
+
+_Dearest Wilkes_
+
+During a little voyage I have made into Germany I have received your
+charming letter of the 8th. September O. S. the many affairs I have been
+busy with for these 3 months has hindered me hitherto from returning
+to you as speedy an answer as I should have done. I know too much your
+kindness for me to make any farther apology and I hope you are enough
+acquainted with the sincerety of my friendship towards you to adscribe
+my fault to forgetfulness or want of gratitude be sure, Dear friend,
+that such a disposition will allways be unknown to me in regard to
+you. I don't doubt but you will be by this time returned at London,
+the winter season being an obstacle to the pleasures you have enjoyed
+following ye Letter at Alesbury during the last Autumn. I must own I
+have felt a good deal of pride when you gave me the kind assurance
+that love has not made you forget an old friend, I need not tell you my
+disposition. I hope you know it well enough and like my friendship for
+you has no bounds I want expressions to show it. Mr Dowdeswell has been
+so good as to let me enjoy his company here in the month of August, and
+returned to Leyden to pursue his studies in the middle of September.
+We often wished your company and made sincere libations to you with
+burgundy and Champaigne I had a few weeks there after I set out for
+Germany where I expected to spend the whole winter but the sudden death
+of my Uncle's Steward has forced me to come back here to put in order
+the affairs of this estate, I don't know how long I shall be obliged to
+stay in the meanwhile I act pretty well the part of a County Squire, id
+est, hunting, shooting, fishing, walking every day without to lay aside
+the ever charming conversation of Horace Virgil Homer and all our noble
+friends of the Elysian fields. They are allways faithfull to me, with
+their aid I find very well how to employ my time, but I want in this
+country a true bosom friend like my dear Wilkes to converse with, but my
+pretenssions are too high, for every abode with such a company would be
+heaven for me.
+
+I perceive by your last letter that your hopes are very like to succeed
+by Mss Mead, you are sure that every happines that can befall to you
+will make me vastly happy. I beseech you therefore to let me know
+everytime how far you are gone, I take it to be a very good omen for
+you, that your lovely mistress out of compliance has vouchsafed to learn
+a harsh high-dutch name, which would otherwise have made her starttle,
+at the very hearing of it. I am very thankful for her kind desire
+of seeing me in Engelland which I dont wish the less but you know my
+circumstances enough, to guess that I cannot follow my inclinations. I
+have not heard hitherto anything about the books you have been so kind
+as to send me over by the opportunity of a friend. I have wrote about it
+to Msrs Conrad et Bouwer of Rotterdam, they answered that they were not
+yet there. Nevertheless I am very much oblided to you for your kindness
+and wish to find very soon the opportunity of my revenge. Mr Dowderswell
+complains very much of Mrs Bland and Weatherill, having not heard of
+them since their departure from Leyden. I desire my compliments to Mr
+Dyer and all our old acquaintances. Pray be so good as to direct your
+first letter under the covert of Mr Dowderwell at Ms Alliaume's at
+Leyden he shall send it to me over immediately, no more at Mr Van
+Sprang's like you used to do. I wish to know if Mr Lyson since his
+return to his native country, continues in his peevish cross temper. If
+you have any news besides I'll be glad to hear them by your next which I
+expect very soon.
+
+About politicks I cannot tell you anything at present, you have heard
+enough by this time the fatal battle fought near Liège in 8ber last;
+everybody has little hopes of the Congress of Breda, the Austrian and
+Piedmontese are entered into provence, which is not as difficult as to
+maintain themselves therein, I wish a speedy peace would enable us both
+to see the rejoicings that will attend the marriage of the Dauphin
+of France with a Princess of Saxony. I have heard that peace is made
+between England and Spain, which you ought to know better than I. We
+fear very much for the next campaign the siege of Maestrich in our
+neighborhood. These are all the news I know. I'll tell you another that
+you have known a long while viz. that nobody is with more sincerity My
+Dear Wilkes
+
+ Your faithfull humble Servant and Friend
+ HOLBACH
+Heeze the 3 d Xber 1746 ns
+
+
+By 1750 Holbach was established in Paris as a young man of the world.
+His fortune, his learning, his sociability attracted the younger
+literary set toward him. In 1749 he was already holding his Thursday
+dinners which later became so famous. Among his early friends were
+Diderot, Rousseau and Grimm. With them he took the side of the Italian
+_Opera buffa_ in the famous musical quarrel of 1752, and published
+two witty brochures ridiculing French music. [12:9] He was an art
+connoisseur and bought Oudry's _Chienne allaitant ses petits_, the _chef
+d'oeuvre_ of the Salon of 1753. [12:10] During these years he was hard
+at work at his chosen sciences of chemistry and mineralogy. In 1752
+he published in a huge volume in quarto with excellent plates, a
+translation of Antonio Neri's _Art of Glass making_, and in 1753 a
+translation of Wallerius' _Mineralogy_. On July 26, 1754, the Academy
+of Berlin made him a foreign associate in recognition of his scholarly
+attainments in Natural History, [12:11] and later he was elected to the
+Academies of St. Petersburg and Mannheim.
+
+All that was now lacking to this brilliant young man was an attractive
+wife to rule over his salon. His friends urged him to wed, and in 1753
+he married Mlle. Basile-Genevieve-Susanne d'Aine, daughter of "Maître
+Marius-Jean-Baptiste Nicolas d'Aine, conseiller au Roi en son grand
+conseil, associé externe de l'Acad. des sciences et belles letters de
+Prusse." [12:12] M. d'Aine was also Maître des Requêtes and a man
+of means. Mme. d'Holbach was a very charming and gracious woman and
+Holbach's good fortune seemed complete when suddenly Mme. d'Holbach died
+from a most loathsome and painful disease in the summer of 1754. Holbach
+was heart-broken and took a trip through the provinces with his friend
+Grimm, to whom he was much attached, to distract his mind from his
+grief. He returned in the early winter and the next year (1755) got a
+special dispensation from the Pope to marry his deceased wife's sister,
+Mlle. Charlotte-Susanne d'Aine. By her he had four children, two sons
+and two daughters. The first, Charles-Marius, was born about the middle
+of August, 1757, and baptized in Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, Aug. 22.
+He inherited the family title and was a captain in the regiment of the
+Schomberg-Dragons. [13:13] The first daughter was born towards the end
+of 1758 and the second about the middle of Jan., 1760. [13:14] The elder
+married the Marquis de Châtenay and the younger the Marquis de Nolivos,
+"Captaine au régiment de la Seurre, Dragons." Their Majesties the King
+and Queen and the Royal Family signed their marriage contract May 27,
+1781. [13:15] Of the second son there seem to be no traces. Holbach's
+mother-in-law, Madame d'Aine, was a very interesting old woman as she
+is pictured in Diderot's _Mémoires_, and there was a brother-in-law,
+"Messire Marius-Jean-Baptiste-Nicholas d'Aine, chevalier, conseiller
+du roi en ses conseils, Maître des requêtes honoraire de son hôtel,
+intendant de justice, police, et finances de la généralité de Tours,"
+who lived in rue Saint Dominique, paroisse Saint-Sulpice. There was in
+Holbach's household for a long time an old Scotch surgeon, a homeless,
+misanthropic old fellow by the name of Hope, of whom Diderot gives a
+most interesting account. [14:16] These are the only names we have of
+the personnel of Holbach's household. His town house was in the rue
+Royale, butte Saint-Roch. It was here that for an almost unbroken period
+of forty years he gave his Sunday and Thursday dinners. The latter day
+was known to the more intimate set of encyclopedists as the _jour du
+synagogue_. Here the _église philosophique_ met regularly to discuss its
+doctrines and publish its propaganda of radicalism.
+
+Holbach had a very pleasant country seat, the château of Grandval,
+now in the arrondisement of Boissy St. Léger at Sucy-en-Brie. It is
+pleasantly situated in the valley of a little stream, the Morbra, which
+flows into the Marne. The property was really the estate of Mme. d'Aine
+who lived with the Holbachs. Here the family and their numerous guests
+passed the late summer and fall. Here Diderot spent weeks at a time
+working on the Encyclopedia, dining, and walking on the steep slopes
+of the Marne with congenial companions. To him we are indebted for our
+intimate knowledge of Grandval and its inhabitants, their slightest
+doings and conversations; and as Danou has well said, if we were to wish
+ourselves back in any past age we should choose with many others the
+mid-eighteenth century and the charming society of Paris and Grandval.
+[14:17]
+
+Holbach's life, in common with that of most philosophers, offers no
+events, except that he came near being killed in the crush and riot in
+the rue Royale that followed the fire at the Dauphin's wedding in 1770.
+[15:18] He was never an official personage. His entire life was spent
+in study, writing and conversation with his friends. He traveled very
+little; the world came to him, to the _Café de l'Europe_, as Abbé
+Galiani called Paris. From time to time Holbach went to Contrexéville
+for his gout and once to England to visit David Garrick; but he disliked
+England very thoroughly and was glad to get back to Paris. The events of
+his life in so far as there were any, were his relations with people.
+He knew intimately practically all the great men of his century, except
+Montesquieu and Voltaire, who were off the stage before his day. [15:19]
+Holbach's most intimate and life-long friend among the great figures
+of the century was Diderot, of whom Rousseau said, "À la distance de
+quelques siècles du moment où il a vécu, Diderot paraîtra un homme
+prodigieux; on regardera de loin cette tête universelle avec une
+admiration mêlée d'étonnement, comme nous regardons aujourd'hui la tête
+des Platon et des Aristote." [15:20] All his contemporaries agreed that
+nothing was so charged with divine fire as the conversation of
+Diderot. Gautherin, in his fine bronze of him on the Place
+Saint-Germain-des-Près, seems to have caught the spirit of his talk and
+has depicted him as he might have sat in the midst of Holbach's society,
+of which he was the inspiration and the soul. Holbach backed Diderot
+financially in his great literary and scientific undertaking and
+provided articles for the Encyclopedia on chemistry and natural science.
+Diderot had a high opinion of his erudition and said of him, "Quelque
+système que forge mon imagination, je suis sur que mon ami d'Holbach me
+trouve des faits et des autorités pour le justifier." [16:21] Opinions
+differ in regard to the intellectual influence of these men upon each
+other. Diderot was without doubt the greater thinker, but Holbach stated
+his atheism with far greater clarity and Diderot gave his sanction to
+it by embellishing Holbach's books with a few eloquent pages of his
+own. Diderot said to Sir Samuel Romilly in 1781, "Il faut _sabrer_
+la théologie," [16:22] and died in 1784 in the belief that complete
+infidelity was the first step toward philosophy. Five years later
+Holbach was buried by his side in the crypt of the Chapel of the Virgin
+behind the high altar in Saint-Roch. No tablet marks their tombs, and
+although repeated investigations have been made no light has been thrown
+on the exact position of their burial place. According to Diderot's
+daughter, Mme. Vandeuil, their entire correspondence has been destroyed
+or lost. [16:23]
+
+Holbach's relations with Rousseau were less harmonious. The account
+of their mutual misunderstandings contained in the _Confessions_, in a
+letter by Cerutti in the _Journal de Paris_ Dec. 2, 1789, and in
+private letters of Holbach's to Hume, Garrick, and Wilkes, is a long and
+tiresome tale. The author of _Eclaircissements relatifs à la publication
+des confessions de Rousseau..._ (Paris, 1789) blames the _club
+holbachique_ for their treatment of Rousseau, but the fault seems to
+lie on both sides. According to Rousseau's account, Holbach sought his
+friendship and for a few years he was one of Holbach's society. But,
+after the success of the _Devin du Village_ in 1753, the _holbachiens_
+turned against him out of jealousy of his genius as a composer. Visions
+of a dark plot against him rose before his fevered and sensitive
+imagination, and after 1756 he left the Society of the Encyclopedists,
+never to return. Holbach, on the other hand, while admitting rather
+questionable treatment of Rousseau, never speaks of any personal injury
+on his part, and bewails the fact that "l'homme le plus éloquent s'est
+rendu ainsi l'homme le plus anti-littéraire, et l'homme le plus sensible
+s'est rendu le plus anti-social." [17:24] He did warn Hume against
+taking him to England, and in a letter to Wilkes predicted the quarrel
+that took place shortly after. In writing to Garrick [17:25] he says
+some hard but true things about Rousseau, who on his part never really
+defamed Holbach but depicted him as the virtuous atheist under the guise
+of Wolmar in the _Nouvelle Heloïse_. Their personal incompatibility
+is best explained on the grounds of the radical differences in their
+temperaments and types of mind and by the fact that Rousseau was too
+sensitive to get on with anybody for any great length of time.
+
+Two other great Frenchmen, Buffon and d'Alembert, were for a time
+members of Holbach's society, but, for reasons that are not altogether
+clear, gradually withdrew. Grimm suggests that Buffon did not find the
+young philosophers sufficiently deferential to him and to the authorized
+powers, and feared for his dignity,--and safety, in their company.
+D'Alembert, on the other hand, was a recluse by nature, and, after
+giving up his editorship on the Encyclopedia, easily dropped out of
+Diderot's society and devoted himself to Mlle. Lespinasse and Mme.
+Geoffrin. Holbach and Helvetius were life-long friends and spent much
+time together reading at Helvetius's country place at Voré. After his
+death in 1774, Holbach frequented Mme. Helvetius' salon where he
+knew and deeply influenced Volney, Cabanis, de Tracy, and the first
+generation of the Ideologists who continued his and Helvetius'
+philosophical doctrines. Among the other Frenchmen of the day who were
+on intimate relations with Holbach and frequented his salon were La
+Condamine, Condillac, Condorcet, Turgot, Morellet, Raynal, Grimm,
+Marmontel, Colardeau, Saurin, Suard, Saint-Lambert, Thomas, Duclos,
+Chastellux, Boulanger, Darcet, Roux, Rouelle, Barthès, Venel, Leroy,
+Damilaville, Naigeon, Lagrange and lesser names,--but well known in
+Paris in the eighteenth century,--d'Alinville, Chauvelin, Desmahis,
+Gauffecourt, Margency, de Croismare, de Pezay, Coyer, de Valory,
+Charnoi, not to mention a host of others.
+
+Among Holbach's most intimate English friends were Hume, Garrick,
+Wilkes, Sterne, Gibbon, Horace Walpole, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin,
+Dr. Priestley, Lord Shelburne, Gen. Barré, Gen. Clark, Sir James
+MacDonald, Dr. Gem, Messrs. Stewart, Demster, Fordyce, Fitzmaurice,
+Foley, etc. Holbach addressed a letter to Hume in 1762, before making
+his acquaintance, in which he expressed his admiration of his philosophy
+and the desire to know him personally. [18:26] In 1764 Hume came to
+Paris as secretary of the British Embassy and immediately called on
+Holbach and became a regular frequenter of his salon. It was to Holbach
+that he wrote first on the outbreak of his quarrel with Rousseau and
+they corresponded at length in egard to the publication of the _Exposé
+succinct_, which was to justify Hume in the eyes of the French. Hume and
+Holbach had much in common intellectually, although the latter was far
+more thoroughgoing in his repudiation of Theism.
+
+David Garrick and his wife were frequent visitors at the rue Royale
+on their trips to Paris where they were very much liked by Holbach's
+society. Nothing is more cordial or gracious than the compliments passed
+between them in their subsequent correspondence. There are two published
+letters from Holbach in Mr. Hedgecock's recent study of Garrick and his
+French friends, excellent examples of the happy spontaneity and sympathy
+that were characteristic of French sociability in the eighteenth
+century. [19:27] Holbach in turn spent several months with Garrick at
+Hampton.
+
+Holbach's early friendship for Wilkes has already been mentioned. Wilkes
+spent a great deal of time in Paris on the occasion of his exiles from
+England and became very intimate with Holbach. They corresponded up to
+the very end of Holbach's life and there was a constant interchange of
+friendly offices between them. [19:28] Miss Wilkes, who spent much time
+in Paris, was a very good friend of Mme. Holbach and Mlle. Helvetius.
+Adam Smith often dined at Holbach's with Turgot and the economists;
+Gibbon also found his dinners agreeable except for the dogmatism of the
+atheists; Walpole resented it also and kept away. Priestley seems
+to have gotten on very well, although the philosophers found his
+materialism and unitarianism a trifle inconsistent. It was at Holbach's
+that Shelburne met Morellet with whom he carried on a long and serious
+correspondence on economics. There seem to be no details of Holbach's
+relations with Franklin, who was evidently more assiduous at the salon
+of Mme. Helvetius whom he desired to marry.
+
+Holbach's best friend among the Italians was Abbé Galiani, secretary
+of the Neapolitan Embassy, who spent ten years in the salons of Paris.
+After his return to Naples his longing for Paris led him to a voluminous
+correspondence with his French friends including Holbach. A few of their
+letters are extant. Beccaria also came to Paris at the invitation of
+the translator of his _Crimes and Punishments_, Abbé Morellet, made on
+behalf of Holbach and his society. Beccaria and his friend Veri, who
+accompanied him, had long been admirers of French philosophy, and the
+Frenchmen found much to admire in Beccaria's book. One _avocat-général_,
+M. Servan of the Parlement of Bordeaux, a friend of Holbach's, tried
+to put his reforms in practice and shared the fate of most reformers.
+Holbach was also in correspondence with Beccaria, and one of his letters
+has been published in M. Landry's recent study of Beccaria.
+
+Among the other Italians whom Holbach befriended were Paulo Frizi, the
+mathematician; Dr. Gatti; Pincini, the musician; and Mme. Riccoboni,
+ex-actress and novelist; whose lively correspondence with Garrick whom
+she met at Holbach's sheds much light on the social relations of the
+century.
+
+Among the other foreigners who were friends or acquaintances of Holbach
+were his fellow countrymen, Frederich Melchon Grimm, like himself a
+naturalized Frenchman and the bosom friend of Diderot; Meister, his
+collaborator in the _Literary Correspondence_; Kohant, a Bohemian
+musician, composer, of the _Bergère des Alpes_ and Mme. Holbach's
+lute-teacher; Baron Gleichen, Comte de Creutz, Danish and Scandinavian
+diplomats; and a number of German nobles; the hereditary princes of
+Brunswick and Saxe Gotha, Baron Alaberg, afterwards elector of Mayence,
+Baron Schomberg and Baron Studitz.
+
+Among the well known women of the century Holbach was most intimate with
+Mme. d'Epinay, who became a very good friend of Mme. Holbach's and was
+present at the birth of her first son, and, in her will, left her a
+portrait by Rembrandt. He was also a friend of Mme. Geoffrin, attended
+her salon, and knew Mlle. de Lespinasse, Mme. Houderot and most of the
+important women of the day.
+
+There are excellent sources from which to form an estimate of this man
+whose house was the social centre of the century. Just after Holbach's
+death on January 21, 1789, Naigeon, his literary agent, who had lived on
+terms of the greatest intimacy with him for twenty-four years, wrote a
+long eulogy which filled the issue of the _Journal de Paris_ for Feb.
+9. There was another letter to the _Journal_ on Feb. 12. Grimm's
+_Correspondance Littéraire_ for March contains a long account of him
+by Meister, and there are other notices in contemporary memoirs such as
+Morellet's and Marmontel's. All these accounts agree in picturing him as
+the most admirable of men.
+
+It must be remembered that Holbach always enjoyed what was held to be a
+considerable fortune in his day. From his estates in Westphalia he had
+a yearly income of 60,000 _livres_ which he spent in entertaining. This
+freedom from economic pressure gave him leisure to devote his time
+to his chosen intellectual pursuits and to his friends. He was a
+universally learned man. He knew French, German, English, Italian and
+Latin extremely well and had a fine private library of about three
+thousand works often of several volumes each, in these languages and in
+Greek and Hebrew. The catalogue of this library was published by Debure
+in 1789. It would be difficult to imagine a more comprehensive and
+complete collection of its size. He had also a rich collection
+of drawings by the best masters, fine pictures of which he was a
+connoisseur, bronzes, marbles, porcelains and a natural history cabinet,
+so in vogue in those days, containing some very valuable specimens.
+He was one of the most learned men of his day in natural science,
+especially chemistry and mineralogy, and to his translations from the
+best German scientific works is largely due the spread of scientific
+learning in France in the eighteenth century. Holbach was also very
+widely read in English theology and philosophy of the seventeenth and
+eighteenth centuries and derived his anti-theological inspiration from
+these two sources. To this vast fund of learning, he joined an extreme
+modesty and simplicity. He sought no academic honors, published all
+his works anonymously, and, had it not been for the pleasure he took in
+communicating his ideas to his friends, no one would have suspected his
+great erudition. He had an extraordinary memory and the reputation of
+never forgetting anything of interest. This plenitude of information,
+coupled with his easy and pleasant manner of talking, made his society
+much sought after. Naigeon said of him (in his preface to the works of
+Lagrange):
+
+Personne n'était plus communicatif que M. le baron d'Holbach; personne
+ne prenait aux progrès de la raison un intérêt plus vif, plus sincère,
+et ne s'occupait avec plus de zèle et l'activité des moyens de les
+accélérer.
+
+Également versé dans la plupart des matières sur lesquelles il importe
+le plus à des êtres raisonnables d'avoir une opinion arrêtée, M. le
+baron d'Holbach portait dans leur discussion un jugement sain, une
+logique sévère, et une analyse exacte et précise. Quelque fut l'objet de
+ses entretiens avec ses amis, ou même avec des indifférens, tels qu'en
+offrent plus ou moins toutes les sociétés; il inspirait sans effort à
+ceux qui l'écoutaient l'enthousiasme de l'art ou de la science dont
+il parlait; et on ne le quittait jamais sans regretter de n'avoir pas
+cultivé la branche particulière de connaissances qui avait fait le sujet
+de la conversation, sans désirer d'être plus instruit, plus éclairé, et
+surtout sans admirer la claret, la justesse de son esprit, et l'ordre
+dans lequel il savait présenter ses idées.
+
+This virtue of communicativeness, of _sociabilité_, Holbach carried into
+all the relations of life. He was always glad to lend or give his books
+to anyone who could make use of them. "Je suis riche," he used to say,
+"mais je ne vois dans la fortune qu'un instrument de plus pour opérer
+le bien plus promptement et plus efficacement." In fact Holbach's whole
+principle of life and action was to increase the store of human well
+being. And he did this without any religious motive whatsoever. As Julie
+says of Wolmar in _La Nouvelle Heloïse_, "Il fait le bien sans espoir de
+récompense, il est plus vertueux, plus désintéressé que nous." There are
+many recorded instances of Holbach's gracious benevolence. As he said to
+Helvetius, "Vous êtes brouillé avec tous ceux que vous avez obligé, mais
+j'ai gardé tous mes amis." Holbach had the faculty of attaching people
+to him. Diderot tells how at the Salon of 1753 after Holbach had bought
+Oudry's famous picture, all the collectors who had passed it by came to
+him and offered him twice what he paid for it. Holbach went to find
+the artist to ask him permission to cede the picture to his profit,
+but Oudry refused, saying that he was only too happy that his best work
+belonged to the man who was the first to appreciate it. Instances of
+Holbach's liberality to Kohant, a poor musician, and to Suard, a poor
+literary man, are to be found in the pages of Diderot and Meister, and
+his constant generosity to his friends is a commonplace in their Memoirs
+and Correspondence. Only Rousseau was ungrateful enough to complain
+that Holbach's free-handed gifts insulted his poverty. His kindness to
+Lagrange, a young literary man whom he rescued from want, has been well
+told by M. Naigeon in the preface to the works of Lagrange (p. xviii).
+
+But perhaps the most touching instances of Holbach's benevolence are his
+relations with the peasants of Contrexéville, one of which was published
+in the _Journal de Lecture_, 1775, the other in an anonymous letter
+to the _Journal de Paris_, Feb. 12, 1789. The first concerns the
+reconciliation of two old peasants who, not wanting to go to court,
+brought their differences to their respected friend for a settlement.
+Nothing is more simple and beautiful than this homely tale as told in
+a letter of Holbach's to a friend of his. The second, which John Wilkes
+said ought to be written in letters of gold, deserves to be reproduced
+as a whole.
+
+L'éloge funèbre que M. Naigeon a consacré à la mémoire de M. le Baron
+d'Holbach suffit pour donner une idée juste de ses lumières, mais le
+hasard m'a mis à portée de les juger encore mieux. J'ai vu M. le Baron
+d'Holbach dans deux voyages que j'ai faits aux eaux de Contrexéville.
+S'occuper de sa souffrance et de sa guérison, c'est le soin de chaque
+malade. M. le Baron d'Holbach devenait le médecin, l'ami, le consolateur
+de quiconque venait aux eaux et il semblait bien moins occupé de ses
+infirmités que de celles des autres. Lorsque des malades indigens
+manquaient de secours, ou pécuniaires ou curatifs, il les leur procurait
+avec un plaisir qui lui faisait plus de bien que les eaux. Je me
+promenais un soir avec lui sur une hauteur couverte d'un massif de bois
+qui fait perspective de loin et près duquel s'élève un petit Hermitage.
+Là, demeure un cénobite qui n'a de revenu que les aumônes de ceux dont
+il reçoit les visites. Nous acquittâmes chacun notre dette hospitalière.
+En prenant congé de l'Hermite, M. le Baron d'Holbach me dit de le
+précéder un instant et qu'il allait me suivre. Je le précédai, et comme
+il ne me suivait pas je m'arrêtai, pour l'attendre sur un terte exhaussé
+d'où l'on découvre tout le pays. Je contemplais le canton que je
+dominais, plongé dans une douce rêverie. J'en fus tiré par des cris et
+je me retournai vers l'endroit d'òu ils partaient. Je vis M. le Baron
+d'Holbach environné d'une vieille femme et de deux villageois, l'un
+vieux comme elle et l'autre jeune. Tous trois, les larmes aux yeux,
+l'embrassaient hautement. Allez vous-en donc, s'écrait M. le Baron
+d'Holbach; laissez moi, on m'attend, ne me suivez pas, adieu; je
+reviendrai l'année prochaine. En me voyant arriver vers eux, les trois
+personnes reconnaissantes disparurent. Je lui demandai le sujet de tant
+de bénédictions. Ce jeune paysan que vous avez vu s'etait engagé, j'ai
+obtenu de son colonel sa liberté en payant les cents écus prescrits par
+l'ordonnance. Il est amoureux d'une jeune paysanne aussi pauvre que
+lui, je viens d'acheter pour eux un petit bien qui m'a coûté huit cent
+francs. Le vieux père est perclus, aux deux bras, de rhumatismes, je lui
+ai fourni trois boîtes du baume des Valdejeots, si estimé en ce pays-ci.
+La vieille mère est sujetté à des maux d'estomac, et je lui ai apporté
+un pot de confection d'hyacinthe. Ils travaillaient dans le champ,
+voisin du bois, je suis allé les voir tandis que vous marchiez en avant.
+Ils m'ont suivi malgré moi. Ne parlez de cela à personne. On dirait
+que je veux faire le généreux et le bon philosophe, mais je ne suis que
+humain, et mes charités sont la plus agréable dépense de mes voyages.
+
+This humanity of Holbach's is the very keynote of his character and of
+his intellectual life as well. As M. Walferdin has said, the denial of
+the supernatural was for him the base of all virtue, and resting on this
+principle, he exemplified social qualities that do the greatest honor to
+human nature. He and Madame Holbach are the only conspicuous examples
+of conjugal fidelity and happiness among all the people that one has
+occasion to mention in a study of the intellectual and literary circles
+of the eighteenth century. They were devoted to each other, to their
+children and to their friends. Considering the traits of Holbach's
+character that have been cited, there can scarcely be two opinions in
+regard to completeness with which he realized his ideal of humanity
+and sociability. M. Naigeon has well summed up in a few words Holbach's
+relation to the only duties that he recognized, "He was a good husband,
+a good father and a good friend."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II. HOLBACH'S WORKS.
+
+
+Holbach's published works, with the exception of a few scattered
+ones, may be divided into three classes, viz., translations of German
+scientific works, translations of English deistical writings, and his
+own works on theology, philosophy, politics and morals. Those which fall
+into none of these categories can be dealt with very summarily. They
+are:
+
+1. Two pamphlets on the musical dispute of 1752; _Lettre à une dame d'un
+certain âge sur l'état présent de l'Opéra_, (8vo, pp. 11) and _Arrêt
+rendu à l'amphithéâtre de l'Opéra_, (8vo, pp. 16,) both directed against
+French music and in line with Grimm's _Petit Prophète_ and Rousseau's
+_Lettre sur la musique française_.
+
+2. A translation in prose of Akenside's _The Pleasures of Imagination_
+(Paris, 1759, 8vo).
+
+3. A translation of Swift's _History of the Reign of Queen Anne_ in
+collaboration with M. Eidous (Amsterdam, 1765, 12mo, pp. xxiv + 416).
+
+4. Translations of an _Ode on Human Life_ and a _Hymn to the Sun_ in the
+_Variétés littéraires_ (1768).
+
+5. Articles on natural science in the _Encyclopédie_ and article
+_Prononciation des langues_ in the _Dictionnaire de Grammaire_ of the
+_Encyclopédie méthodique_.
+
+6. Translation of Wallerius' _Agriculture reduced to its true
+principles_ (Paris, 1774, 12mo).
+
+7. Two _Facéties philosophiques_ published in Grimm's _Correspondence
+Littéraire. L'Abbé et le Rabbin_, and _Essai sur l'art de ramper, à
+l'usage des courtisans_.
+
+8. Parts of Raynal's _Histoire philosophique des deux Indes_.
+
+9. Notes to Lagrange's _Vie de Senèque_.
+
+
+Holbach's translations of German scientific works are as follows:
+(Complete titles to be found in Bibliography, Pt. I.)
+
+1. _Art de la Verrerie de Neri, Merret, et Kunckel_ (Paris, Durand,
+1752). Original work in Italian. Latin translation by Christopher
+Merret. German translation by J. Kunckel of Löwenstern. Holbach's
+translation comprises the seven books of Antionio Neri, Merret's
+notes on Neri, Kunckel's observations on both these authors, his own
+experiments and others relative to glass-making. The translation
+was dedicated to Malesherbes who had desired to see the best German
+scientific works published in French. In his _Préface du Traducteur_
+Holbach writes:
+
+L'envie de me rendre utile, dont tout citoyen doit être animé, m'a fait
+entreprendre l'ouvrage que je présente au Public. S'il a le bonheur
+de mériter son approbation, quoiqu'il y ait peu de gloire attachée
+au travail ingrat et fastidieux d'un Traducteur, je me déterminerai à
+donner les meilleurs ouvrages allemands, sur l'Histoire Naturelle,
+la Minéralogie, la Métallurgie et la Chymie. Tout le monde sait que
+l'Allemagne possede en ce genre des trésors qui ont été jusqu'ici comme
+enfouis pour la France.
+
+2. _Minéralogie ou Description générale du règne mineral par J. G.
+Wallerius_ (Paris, Durand, 1753) followed by _Hydrologie_ by the same
+author. Second edition, Paris, Herrissant, 1759. Originally in Swedish
+(Wallerius was a professor of chemistry in the University of Upsala).
+German translation by J. D. Denso, Professor of Chemistry, Stargard,
+Pomerania. Holbach's translation was made from the German edition which
+Wallerius considered preferable to the Swedish. He was assisted by
+Bernard de Jussien and Rouelle, and the work was dedicated to a friend
+and co-worker in the natural sciences, Monsieur d'Arclais de Montamy.
+
+3. _Introduction à la Minéralogie... oeuvre posthume de M. J. F.
+Henckel_, Paris, Cavelier, 1756, first published under title _Henckelius
+in Mineralogiâ redivivus_, Dresden, 1747, by his pupil, M. Stephani,
+as an outline of his lectures. Holbach's translation made from a German
+edition, corrected, with notes on new discoveries added.
+
+4. _Chimie métallurgique... par M. C. Gellert_. Paris, Briasson, 1758,
+translated earlier. Approbation May 1, 1753, Privilege Dec. 21, 1754.
+Originally a text written by Gellert for four artillery officers whom
+the King of Sardinia sent to Freyburg to learn mining-engineering.
+
+5. _Traités de physique, d'histoire naturelle, de mineralogy et de
+métallurgie_. Paris, Herrissant, 1759, by J. G. Lehmann, three vols. I.
+L'Art des Mines, II. Traité de la formation des métaux, III. Essai d'une
+histoire naturelle des couches de la terre. In his preface to the third
+volume Holbach has some interesting remarks about the deluge, the irony
+of which seems to have escaped the royal censor, Millet, _Docteur en
+Théologie_.
+
+"La description si précise et si détaillée que Moïse fait du Deluge dans
+la Genèse, ayant une autorité infaillible, puis qu'elle n'est autre
+que celle de Dieu même, nous rend certains de la réalité et de
+l'universalité de ce châtiment terrible. Il s'agit simplement d'examiner
+si les naturalistes, tels que Woodward, Schenchzer, Buttner et M.
+Lehmann lui-même ne se sont points trompés, lorsqu'ils ont attribué à
+cet événement seul la formation des couches de la terre et lorsqu'ils
+s'en sont servis pour expliquer l'état actuel de notre globe. Il semble
+que rien ne doit nous empêcher d'agiter cette question; l'Ecriture
+sainte se contente de nous apprendre la voie miraculeuse dont Dieu s'est
+servi pour punir les crimes du genre humain; elle ne dit rien qui puisse
+limiter les sentiments des naturalistes sur les autres effets physiques
+que le déluge a pu produire. C'est une matière qu'elle paroît avoir
+abandonnée aux disputes des hommes." He then proceeds to question
+whether the deluge could have produced the results attributed to it
+and argues against catastrophism which, it must be remembered, was the
+received geological doctrine down to the days of Lyell. "Les causes les
+plus simples sont capables de produire au bout des siècles les effets
+les plus grands, surtout lorsqu'elles agissent incessament; et nous
+voyons toutes ces causes réunies agir perpétuellement sous nos yeux.
+Concluons, donc, de tout ce qui précède, que le déluge, seul et les feux
+souterrains seuls ne suffisent point pour expliquer la formation des
+couches de la terre. On risquera toujours de se tromper, lorsque par
+l'envie de simplifier on voudra dériver tous les phénomènes de la nature
+d'une seule et unique cause."
+
+6. _Pyritologie_ by J. F. Henkel, Paris, Herrissant, 1760, a large
+volume in quarto, translated by Holbach. It contains _Flora Saturnisans_
+(translated by M. Charas and reviewed by M. Roux), Henkel's _Opuscules
+Minéralogiques_ and other treatises. Original editions: _Pyritologia_,
+Leipzig, 1725, 1754; _Flora Saturnisans_, Leipzig, 1721; _De
+Appropriatione Chymica_, Dresden, 1727, and _De Lapidum origine_,
+Dresden, 1734, translated into German, with excellent notes, Dresden,
+1744, by M. C. F. Zimmermann, a pupil of M. Henkel. Holbach's
+translations seem to have been well received because he writes in
+this preface: "Je m'estimerai heureux si mon travail peut contribuer à
+entretenir et augmenter le goût universel qu'on a conçu pour le saine
+physique."
+
+7. _Oeuvres métallurgiques_ de M. J. C. Orschall, Paris, Hardy, 1760.
+Orschall still accepted the old alchemist tradition but was sound in
+practice and was the best authority on copper. Holbach does not attempt
+to justify his physics which was that of the preceding century. Orschall
+was held in high esteem by Henckel and Stahl.
+
+8. _Recueil des mémoires des Académies d'Upsal et de Stockholm_, Paris,
+Didot, 1764. These records of experiments made in the Royal Laboratories
+of Sweden, founded in 1683 by Charles XI, had already been translated
+into German and English. Holbach's translation was made from the German
+and Latin. He promises further treatises on Agriculture, Natural History
+and Medicine.
+
+9. _Traité du Soufre_ by G. E. Stahl, Paris, Didot, 1766. In speaking
+of Stahl's theories Holbach says: "Il ne faut pas croire que ces
+connaissances soient des vérités stériles propres seulement à satisfaire
+une vaine curiosité, elles ont leur application aux travaux de la
+métallurgie qui leur doivent la perfection où on les a portés depuis
+quelques temps." Holbach understood very clearly the utility of science
+in his scheme of increasing the store of human well-being, and would
+doubtless have translated other useful works had not other interests
+prevented. There is a MSS. note of his in the Bibliothèque Nationale to
+M. Malesherbes, then Administrateur de la Librairie Royale; suggesting
+other German treatises that might well be translated. (MSS. 22194).
+
+
+HOLBACH TO MALESHERBES
+
+_Monsieur_
+
+J'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint la liste des ouvrages dont
+M. Liège fils pourrait entreprendre la traduction. Je n'en connais
+actuellement point d'autres qui méritent l'attention du public. M.
+Macquer m'a écrit une lettre qui a pour objet les mêmes choses dont vous
+m'avez fait l'honneur de me parler, et je lui fais la même réponse.
+
+J'ai l'honneur d'être avec respect, Monsieur,
+
+ Votre très obéissant serviteur
+ D'HOLBACH
+à Paris ce 6 d'avril 1761
+
+
+The list of books was as follows:
+
+1. Johann Kunckel's _Laboratorium Chymicum_, 8vo.
+
+2. Georg Ernest Stahl's _Commentary on Becher's Metallurgy_, 8vo.
+
+3. _Concordantia Chymica Becheri_, 40º, published by Stahl.
+
+4. _Cadmologia_, or the _Natural History of Cobalt_, by J. G. Lehmann,
+Berlin, 1760, 4°.
+
+
+After 1760 Holbach became interested in another line of intellectual
+activity, namely the writing and translation of anti-religious
+literature. His first book of this sort really appeared in 1761 although
+no copies bear this date. From 1767 on however he published a great
+many works of this character. It is convenient to deal first with his
+translations of English deistical writers. They are in chronological
+order.
+
+1. _Esprit du clergé, ou le Christianisme primitif vengé des entreprises
+et des excès de nos Prêtres modernes_. Londres (Amsterdam), 1767. This
+book appeared in England in 1720 under the title of _The Independent
+Whig_; its author was Thomas Gordon (known through his Commentaries on
+Sallust and Tacitus) who wrote in collaboration with John Trenchard. The
+book was partially rewritten by Holbach and then touched up by Naigeon,
+who, according to a manuscript note by his brother, "atheised it as
+much as possible." It was sold with great secrecy and at a high price--a
+reward which the colporters demanded for the risk they ran in peddling
+seditious literature. The book was a violent attack on the spirit of
+domination which characterized the Christian priesthood at that time.
+
+2. _De L'imposture sacerdotale, ou Recueil de Pièces sur le clergé_,
+Londres (Amsterdam), 1767. Another edition 1772 under title _De la
+Monstruosité pontificale_ etc.
+
+Contains translations of various pamphlets including Davisson, _A
+true picture of Popery_; Brown, _Popery a Craft_, London 1735; Gordon,
+_Apology for the danger of the church_, 1719; Gordon, _The Creed of an
+Independent Whig_, 1720.
+
+3. _Examen des Prophéties qui servent de fondement à la religion
+Chrétienne_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768. Translation of Anthony Collins,
+_A Discourse on the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion_,
+London, 1724. Contains also _The Scheme of literal Prophecy considered_,
+1727, also by Collins in answer to the works of Clarke, Sherlock,
+Chandler, Sykes, and especially to Whiston's _Essay towards restoring
+the text of the Old Testament_, one of the thirty-five works directed
+against Collins' original _"Discourse"_. Copies of this work have become
+very rare.
+
+4. _David, ou l'histoire de l'homme selon le coeur de Dieu_. Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1768. This work appeared in England in 1761 and is
+attributed to Peter Annet, also to John Noorthook. Some English
+eulogists of George II, Messrs. Chandler, Palmer and others, had likened
+their late King to David, "the man after God's own heart." The deists,
+struck by the absurdity of the comparison, proceeded to relate all
+the scandalous facts they could find recorded of David, and by clever
+distortions painted him as the most execrable of Kings, in a work
+entitled _David or the Man after God's Own Heart_, which formed the
+basis of Holbach's translation.
+
+5. _Les prêtres démasqués ou des iniquités du clergé chrétien_. Londres,
+1768. Translation of four discourses published under the title _The
+Ax laid to the root of Christian Priestcraft by a layman_, London, T.
+Cooper, 1742. A rare volume.
+
+6. _Lettres philosophiques..._ Londres (Amsterdam, 1768). Translation
+of J. Toland's _Letters to Serena_, London, 1704. The book, which had
+become very rare in Holbach's time, had caused a great scandal at the
+time of its publication and was much sought after by collectors. It
+contains five letters, the first three of which are by Toland, the other
+two and the preface by Holbach and Naigeon. The matters treated are,
+the origin of prejudices, the dogma of the immortality of the soul,
+idolatry, superstition, the system of Spinoza and the origin of movement
+in matter.
+
+Diderot said of these works, in writing to Mlle. Volland Nov. 22, 1768
+(_Oeuvres_, Vol. XVIII, p. 308): "Il pleut des bombes dans la maison
+du Seigneur. Je tremble toujours que quelqu'un de ces téméraires
+artilleurs-là ne s'en trouve mal. Ce sont les _Lettres philosophiques_
+traduites, ou supposées traduites, de l'anglais de Toland; c'est
+_l'Examen des prophéties_; c'est la _Vie de David ou de l'homme selon là
+coeur de Dieu_, ce sont mélle diables déchainés.--Ah! Madame de Blacy,
+je crains bien que le Fils de l'Homme ne soit à la porte; que la
+venue d'Elie ne soit proche, et que nous ne touchions au règne de
+l'Anti-christ. Tous les jours, quand je me lève, je regarde par ma
+fenêtre, si la grande prostituée de Babylone ne se promène point déjà
+dans les rues avec sa grande coupe à la main et s'il ne se fait aucun
+des signes prédits dans le firmament."
+
+7. _De la Cruauté religieuse_, Londres (Amsterdam). _Considerations
+upon war, upon cruelty in general and religious cruelty in particular_,
+London, printed for Thomas Hope, 1761.
+
+8. _Dissertation critique sur les tourmens de l'enfer_ printed in
+an original work, _L'Enfer détruit_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1769. A
+translation of Whitefoot's _The Torments of Hell, the foundation and
+pillars thereof discover'd, search'd, shaken and remov'd_. London, 1658.
+
+9. In the _Recueil philosophique_ edited by Naigeon, Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1770. I. Dissertation sur l'immortalité de l'âme.
+Translated from Hume. II. Dissertation sur le suicide (Hume). III.
+Extrait d'un livre Anglais qui a pour titre le Christianisme aussi
+ancien que le monde. (Tindal, Christianity as old as Creation.)
+
+10. _Esprit de Judaïsme, ou Examen raisonné de la Loi de Moyse_. Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1770 (1769), translated from Anthony Collins. With the
+exception of some of Holbach's own works this is one of the fiercest
+denunciations of Judaism and Christianity to be found in print. In fact,
+it is very much in the style of Holbach's anti-religious works and shows
+beyond a doubt that Holbach derived his inspiration from Collins and the
+more radical of the English school. The volume has become exceedingly
+rare.
+
+After outlining the history of Judaism the book ends thus:
+
+Ose, donc enfin, ô Europe! secouer le joug insupportable des préjugés
+qui t'affligent. Laisse à des Hébreux stupides, à des frénétiques
+imbéciles, à des Asiatiques lâches et dégradés, ces superstitions aussi
+avilissantes qu'insensées: elles ne sont point faites pour les habitans
+de ton climat. Occupe-toi du soin de perfectionner tes gouvernemens, de
+corriger tes lois, de réformer tes abus, de régler tes moeurs, et ferme
+pour toujours les yeux à ces vraies chimères, qui depuis tant de siècles
+n'ont servi qu'à retarder tes progrès vers la science véritable et à
+t'écarter de la route du bonheur.
+
+11. _Examen critique de la vie et des ouvrages de Saint Paul_, Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1770. A free translation of Peter Annet's _History and
+character of St. Paul examined_, written in answer to Lyttelton. New
+edition 1790 and translated back into English "from the French of
+Boulanger," London, R. Carlile, 1823. A rather unsympathetic account,
+but with flashes of real insight into "le système religieux des
+Chrétiens dont S. Paul fut évidemment le véritable architecte." (Epître
+dédicatoire.)
+
+Annet said of Paul's type of man "l'enthousiaste s'enivre, pour l'ainsi
+dire, de son propre vin, il se persuade que la cause de ses passions
+est la cause de Dieu (p. 72), mais quelque violent qu'ait pu être
+l'enthousiasme de S. Paul, il sentait très bien que la doctrine qu'il
+prêchait devait paraître bizarre et insensée à des êtres raisonnables"
+(p. 141).
+
+12. _De la nature humaine, ou Exposition des facultés, des actions et
+des passions de l'âme_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1772. (Thomas Hobbes.)
+Reprinted in a French Edition of Hobbes' works by Holbach and Sorbière,
+1787. Appeared first in English in 1640, omitted in a Latin Edition of
+Hobbes printed in Amsterdam. In spite of its brevity, Holbach considered
+this one of Hobbes' most important and luminous works.
+
+13. _Discours sur les Miracles de Jesus Christ_ (Amsterdam, 1780?).
+Translated from Woolston, whom Holbach admired very much for
+his uncompromising attitude toward truth. He suffered fines and
+imprisonments, but would not give up the privilege of writing as he
+pleased. The present discourse was the cause of a quarrel with his
+friend Whiston. He died Jan. 27, 1733, "avec beaucoup de fermeté...
+il se ferma les yeux et la bouche de ses propres mains, et rendit
+l'esprit." This work exists in a manuscript book of 187 pages, written
+very fine, in the Bibliothèque Nationale (Mss. français 15224) and was
+current in France long before 1780. In fact it is mentioned by Grimm
+before 1770, but the dictionaries (Barber, Quérard) generally date it
+from 1780.
+
+
+Before turning to Holbach's original works mention should be made of
+a very interesting and extraordinary book that he brought to light,
+retouched, and later used as a kind of shield against the attacks of the
+parliaments upon his own works.
+
+In 1766 he published a work entitled _L'Antiquité dévoilée par ses
+usages, ou Examen critique des principales Opinions, Cérémonies et
+Institutions religieuses et politiques des différens Peuples de la
+Terre_. Par feu M. Boulanger, Amsterdam, 1766. This is a work based on
+an original manuscript by Boulanger, who died in 1759, preceded by
+an excellent letter on him by Diderot, published also in the _Gazette
+Littéraire_.
+
+The use made by Holbach of Boulanger's name makes it necessary to
+consider for a moment this almost forgotten writer. Nicholas Antoine
+Boulanger was born in 1722. As a child he showed so little aptitude for
+study that later his teachers could scarcely believe that he had turned
+out to be a really learned man. As Diderot observes, "ces exemples
+d'enfans, rendus ineptes entre les mains des Pédans qui les abrutissent
+en dépit de la nature la plus heureuse, ne sont pas rares, cependant
+ils surprennent toujours" (p. 1). Boulanger studied mathematics and
+architecture, became an engineer and was employed by the government as
+inspector of bridges and highways. He passed a busy life in exacting
+outdoor work but at the same time his active intellect played over a
+large range of human interests. He became especially concerned with
+historical origins and set himself to learn Latin and Greek that he
+might get at the sources. Not satisfied that he had come to the root of
+the matter he learned Arabic, Syriac, Hebrew and Chaldean. Diderot
+says "Il lisait et étudiait partout, je l'ai moi-même rencontré sur
+les grandes routes avec un auteur rabinnique à la main." He made a
+_mappemonde_ in which the globe is divided in two hemispheres, one
+occupied by the continents, the other by the oceans, and by a singular
+coincidence he found that the meridian of the continental hemisphere
+passed through Paris. Some such rearrangement of hemispheres is one of
+the commonplaces of modern geography. He furnished such articles as,
+_Deluge, Corvée, Société_ for the Encyclopedia and wrote several large
+and extremely learned books, among them _Recherches sur l'origine du
+Despotisme oriental_ and _Antiquité dévoilée_. He died from overwork at
+the age of thirty-seven.
+
+Boulanger's ideas on philosophy, mythology, anthropology and history are
+of extraordinary interest today. Diderot relates his saying--"Que si la
+philosophie avait trouvé tant d'obstacles parmi nous c'était qu'on avait
+commencé par où il aurait fallu finir, par des maximes abstraites, des
+raisonnemens généraux, des réflexions subtiles qui ont révolté par leur
+étrangeté et leur hardiesse et qu'on aurait admises sans peine si elles
+avaient été précédées de l'histoire des faits." He carried over this
+inductive method into realm of history, which he thought had been
+approached from the wrong side, i.e., the metaphysical, "par consulter
+les lumières de la raison" (p. 8). He continues, "j'ai pensé qu'il
+devait y avoir quelques circonstances _particulières_. Un fait et non
+une spéculation métaphysique m'a toujours semblé devoir être et tribut
+naturel et nécessaire de l'histoire." Curiously enough the central fact
+in history appeared to Boulanger to be the deluge, and on the basis of
+it he attempted to interpret the _Kulturgeschichte_ of humanity. It is
+a bit unfortunate that he took the deluge quite as literally as he did;
+his idea, however, is obviously the influence of environmental pressure
+on the changing beliefs and practices of mankind. Under the spell of
+this new point of view, he writes, "Ce qu'on appelle l'histoire n'en est
+que la partie la plus ingrate, la plus uniforme, la plus inutile, quoi
+qu'elle soit la plus connue. La véritable histoire est couverte par le
+voile des temps" (p. 7). Boulanger however was not to be daunted and
+on the firm foundation of the fact of some ancient and universal
+catastrophe, as recorded on the surface of the earth and in human
+mythology, he proceeds to inquire into the moral effects of the changes
+in the physical environment back to which if possible the history of
+antiquity must be traced. Man's defeat in his struggle with the elements
+made him religious, _hinc prima mali labes_. "Son premier pas fut un
+faux pas, sa première maxime fut une erreur" (p. 4 sq). But it was not
+his fault nor has time repaired the evil moral effects of that early
+catastrophe. "Les grandes révolutions physiques de notre globe sont les
+véritables époques de l'histoire des nations" (p. 9). Hence have arisen
+the various psychological states through which mankind has passed.
+Contemporary savages are still in the primitive state--Boulanger
+properly emphasizes the relation of anthropology to history--"On
+aperçoit qu'il y a une nouvelle manière de voir et d'écrire l'histoire
+des hommes" (p. 12) and with a vast store of anthropological and
+folklorist learning he writes it so that his assailant, Fabry d'Autrey,
+in his _Antiquité justifiée_ (Paris, 1766) is obliged to say with truth,
+"Ce n'est point ici un tissus de mensonges grossiers, de sophismes
+rebattus et bouffons, appliqués d'un air méprisant aux objets les
+plus intéressants pour l'humanité. C'est une enterprise sérieuse et
+réfléchie" (p. 11).
+
+In 1767 Holbach published his first original work, a few copies of
+which had been printed in Nancy in 1761. This work was _Le Christianisme
+dévoilé ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion
+Chrétienne_. Par feu M. Boulanger. Londres (Amsterdam), 1767. There
+were several other editions the same year, one printed at John Wilkes'
+private press in Westminster. It was reprinted in later collections
+of Boulanger's works, and went through several English and Spanish
+editions. The form of the title and the attribution of the work to
+Boulanger were designed to set persecution on the wrong track. There
+has been some discussion as to its authorship. Voltaire and Laharpe
+attributed it to Damilaville, at whose book shop it was said to have
+been sold, but M. Barbier has published detailed information given him
+by Naigeon to the effect that Holbach entrusted his manuscript to M. De
+Saint-Lambert, who had it printed by Leclerc at Nancy in 1761. Most
+of the copies that got to Paris at that time were bought by several
+officers of the King's regiment then in garrison at Nancy, among them M.
+de Villevielle, a friend of Voltaire and of Condorcet. Damilaville did
+not sell a single copy and even had a great deal of trouble to get one
+for Holbach who waited for it a long time. This circumstantial evidence
+is of greater value than the statement of Voltaire who was in the habit
+of attributing anonymous works to whomever he pleased. [39:2]
+
+The edition of 1767 was printed in Amsterdam as were most of Holbach's
+works. We have the details of their publication from Naigeon _cadet_, a
+copyist, whose brother, J. A. Naigeon, was Holbach's literary factotum.
+In a manuscript note in his copy of the _Système de la Nature_ he tells
+how he copied nearly all Holbach's works, either at Paris or at Sedan,
+where he was stationed, and where his friend Blon, the postmaster, aided
+him, passing the manuscripts on to a Madame Loncin in Liège, who in
+turn was a correspondent of Marc-Michel Rey, the printer in Amsterdam.
+Sometimes they were sent directly by the diligence or through
+travellers. This account agrees perfectly with information given M.
+Barbier orally by Naigeon _aîné_. After being printed in Holland the
+books were smuggled into France _sous le manteau_, as the expression is,
+and sold at absurd rates by colporters. [40:3]
+
+Diderot writing to Falconet early in 1768 [40:4] says: "Il pleut des
+livres incrédules. C'est un feu roulant qui crible le sanctuaire de
+toutes parts... L'intolérance du gouvernment s'accroit de jour en jour.
+On dirait que c'est un projet formé d'éteindre ici les lettres, de
+ruiner le commerce de librairie et de nous réduire à la besace et à
+la stupidité... _Le Christianisme dévoilé_ s'est vendu jusqu'à quatre
+louis."
+
+When caught the colporters were severely punished. Diderot gives
+the following instance in a letter to Mlle. Volland Oct. 8, 1768
+(Avézac-Lavigne, _Diderot_, p. 161): "Un apprenti avait reçu, en payment
+ou autrement, d'un colporteur appelé Lécuyer, deux exemplaires du
+_Christianisme dévoilé_ et il avait vendu un de ces exemplaires à son
+patron. Celui-ci le défère au lieutenant de police. Le colporteur, sa
+femme et l'apprenti sont arrêtés tous les trois; ils viennent d'être
+piloriés, fouettés et marqués, et l'apprenti condamné à neuf ans de
+galères, le colporteur à cinq ans, et la femme à l'hôpital pour toute sa
+vie."
+
+There are two very interesting pieces of contemporary criticism of _Le
+Christianisme dévoilé_, one by Voltaire, the other by Grimm. Voltaire
+writes in a letter to Madame de Saint Julien December 15, 1766
+(_Oeuvres_, XLIV, p. 534, ed. Garnier): "Vous m'apprenez que, dans votre
+société, on m'attribue _Le Christianisme dévoilé_ par feu M. Boulanger,
+mais je vous assure que les gens au fait ne m'attribuent point du tout
+cet ouvrage. J'avoue avec vous qu'il y a de la clarté, de la chaleur,
+et quelque fois de l'éloquence; mais il est plein de répétitions, de
+négligences, de fautes contre la langue et je serais très-fâché de
+l'avoir fait, non seulement comme académicien, mais comme philosophe, et
+encore plus comme citoyen.
+
+"Il est entièrement opposé à mes principes. Ce livre conduit à
+l'athéisme que je déteste. J'ai toujours regardé l'athéisme comme le
+plus grand égarement de la raison, parce qu'il est aussi ridicule de
+dire que l'arrangement du monde ne prouve pas un artisan suprême qu'il
+serait impertinent de dire qu'une horloge ne prouve pas un horloger.
+
+"Je ne réprouve pas moins ce livre comme citoyen; l'auteur paraît
+trop ennemi des puissances. Des hommes qui penseraient comme lui ne
+formeraient qu'une anarchie: et je vois trop, par l'example de Genève,
+combien l'anarchie est à craindre. Ma coutume est d'écrire sur la marge
+de mes livres ce que je pense d'eux, vous verrez, quand vous daignerez
+venir à Ferney, les marges de _Christianisme dévoilé_ chargés de
+remarques qui montrent que l'auteur s'est trompé sur les faits les plus
+essentiels." These notes may be read in Voltaire's works (Vol. XXXI, p.
+129, ed. Garnier) and the original copy of _Le Christianisme dévoilé_
+in which he wrote them is in the British Museum (c 28, k 3) where it
+is jealously guarded as one of the most precious autographs of the
+Patriarch of Ferney.
+
+Grimm's notice is from the _Correspondance Littéraire_ of August 15,
+1763 (Vol. V, p. 367). "Il existe un livre intitulé _le Christianisme
+dévoilé ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion
+Chrétienne_, par feu M. Boulanger, volume in 8º. On voit d'abord qu'on
+lui a donné ce titre pour en faire le pendant de _l'Antiquité dévoilée_;
+mais il ne faut pas beaucoup se connaître en manière pour sentir que ces
+deux ouvrages ne sont pas sortis de la même plume. On peut assurer
+avec la même certitude que celui dont nous parlons ne vient point de la
+fabrique de Ferney, parce que j'aimerais mieux croire que le patriache
+eût pris la lune avec ses dents; cela serait moins impossible que de
+guetter sa manière et son allure si complètement qu'il n'en restât
+aucune trace quelconque. Par la même raison, je ne crois ce livre
+d'aucun de nos philosophes connus, parce que je n'y trouve la manière
+d'aucun de ceux qui ont écrit. D'òu vient-il donc? Ma foi, je serais
+fâché de le savoir, et je crois que l'auteur aura sagement fait de ne
+mettre personne dans son secret. C'est le livre le plus hardi et le
+plus terrible qui ait jamais parti dans aucun lieu du monde. La
+préface consiste dans une lettre où l'auteur examine si la réligion est
+reéllement nécessaire ou seulement utile au maintien ou à la police des
+empires, et s'il convient de la respecter sous ce point de vue. Comme
+il établit la négative, il entreprend en conséquence de prouver, par
+son ouvrage, l'absurdité et l'incohérence du dogme Chrétien et de la
+mythologie qui en résulte, et l'influence de cette absurdité sur les
+têtes et sur les âmes. Dans la seconde partie, il examine la morale
+chrétienne, et il prétend prouver que dans ses principes généraux elle
+n'a aucun avantage sur toutes les morales du monde, parce que la justice
+et la bonté sont recommandées dans tous les catéchismes de l'univers, et
+que chez aucun peuple, quelque barbare qu'il fut, on n'a jamais
+enseigné qu'il fallût être injuste et méchant. Quant à ce que la morale
+chrétienne a de particulier, l'auteur pretend démontrer qu'elle ne peut
+convenir qu'à des enthousiastes peu propres aux devoirs de la société,
+pour lesquels les hommes sont dans ce monde. Il entreprend de prouver,
+dans la troisième partie, que la religion chrétienne a eu les effets
+politiques les plus sinistres et les plus funestes, et que le genre
+humain lui doit tous les malheurs dont il a été accablé depuis quinze à
+dix-huit siècles, sans qu'on en puisse encore prévoir la fin.
+
+Ce livre est écrit avec plus de véhémence que de véritable éloquence;
+il entraine. Son style est châtié et correct, quoique un peu dur et
+sec; son ton est grave et soutenu. On n'y apprend rien de nouveau, et
+cependant il attache et intéresse. Malgré son incroyable témérité, on
+ne peut refuser à l'auteur la qualité d'homme de bien fortement épris du
+bonheur de sa race et de la prospérité des sociétés; mais je pense que
+ses bonnes intentions seraient une sauvegarde bien faible contre les
+mandements et les réquisitions." This is a clear and fair account of
+a book that is without doubt the severest criticism of the theory and
+practice of historical Christianity ever put in print.
+
+The church very naturally did not let such a book pass unanswered. Abbé
+Bergier, a heavy person, triumphantly refuted Holbach in eight hundred
+pages in his _Apologia de la Religion Chrétienne contre l'Auteur du
+Christianisme dévoilé_, Paris, 1769, which finishes with the fatal
+prophecy, "Nous avons de surs garans de nos espérances: tant que le sang
+auguste de S. Louis sera sur le trône, _il n'y a point de révolutions
+à craindre ni dans la Religion ni dans la politique_. La religion
+Chrétienne fondée sur la parole de Dieu... triomphera des nouveaux
+Philosophes. Dieu qui veille sur son ouvrage n'a pas besoin de nos
+faibles mains pour le soutenir" (Psaume 32, vs. 10, 11).
+
+2. There already existed in 1767 another work by Holbach entitled
+_Théologie portative ou Dictionnaire Abrégé de la Religion Chrétienne.
+Par Mr Abbé Bernier_. Londres (Amsterdam), 1768 (1767). This book
+went through many editions and was augmented by subsequent authors and
+editors. Voltaire was already writing to d'Alembert about it August 14,
+1767. [44:5]
+
+In a letter to Damilaville, October 16, he writes (Vol. XIV, p. 406):
+
+Depuis trois mois il y a une douzaine d'ouvrages d'une liberté
+extrême, imprimés en Hollande. _La Théologie portative_ n'est nullement
+théologique: ce n'est qu'une plaisanterie continuelle par ordre
+alphabétique; mais il faut avouer qu'il y a des traits si comiques que
+plusieurs théologiens mêmes ne pourront s'empêcher d'en rire. Les jeunes
+gens et les femmes lisent cette folie avec avidité. Les éditions de tous
+les livres dans ce goût se multiplient.
+
+And on February 8, 1768, he wrote:
+
+On fait tous les jours des livres contre la religion, dont je voudrais
+bien imiter le style pour la défendre. Y a-t-il de plus salé, que la
+plupart des traits qui se trouvent dans la _Théologie portative_? Y
+a-t-il rien de plus vigoreux, de plus profondément raisonné, d'écrit
+avec une éloquence plus audacieuse et plus terrible, que le _Militaire
+philosophe_, ouvrage qui court toute l'Europe? [by Naigeon and Holbach]
+Lisez la _Théologie portative_, et vous ne pourrez vous empêcher
+de rire, en condammant la coupable hardiesse de l'auteur. Lisez
+_l'Imposture sacerdotale_--vous y verrez le style de Démosthène. Ces
+livres malheuresement inondent l'Europe; mais quelle est la cause
+de cette inondation? Il n'y en a point d'autre que les querelles
+théologiques qui ont révolté les laïques. _Il s'est fait une révolution
+dans l'esprit humain que rien ne peut plus arrêter: les persécutions ne
+pourraient qu'irriter le mal_. [Footnote: the italics are mine.]
+
+It is to be noted however that Voltaire's sentiments varied according to
+the point of view of the person to whom he was writing. In a letter to
+d'Alembert, May 24, 1769 (Vol. LXV, p. 453), he calls the _Théologie
+portative_ "un ouvrage à mon gré, très plaisant, auquel je n'ai
+assurément nulle part, ouvrage que je serais très fâché d'avoir fait, et
+que je voudrais bien avoir été capable de faire." But in a letter to the
+Bishop of Annecy June, 1769, he writes (Vol. XXVIII, p. 73): "Vous lui
+[M. de Saint Florentin] imputez, à ce que je vois par vos lettres, des
+livres misérables, et jusqu'à _la Theologie portative_, ouvrage fait
+apparemment dans quelque cabaret; vous n'êtes pas obligé d'avoir du
+goût, mais vous êtes obligé d'être juste" (Vol. XXVIII, p. 73).
+Diderot even said of the book: "C'est un assez bon nombre de bonnes
+plaisanteries noyées dans un beaucoup plus grand nombre de mauvaises"
+and this criticism is just. A few examples of the better jokes will
+suffice:
+
+_Adam:_ C'est le premier homme, Dieu en fait un grand nigaud, qui pour
+complaire à sa femme eut la bêtise de mordre dans une pomme que ses
+descendans n'ont point encore pu digérer.
+
+_Idées Innées:_ Notions inspirées des Prêtres de si bonne heure, si
+souvent répétées, que devenu grand l'on croît les avoir eu toujours ou
+les avoir reçus dès le ventre de sa mère.
+
+_Jonas:_ La baleine fut à la fin obligée de le vomir tant un Prophète
+est un morceau difficile à digérer.
+
+_Magie:_ Il y en a de deux sortes, la blanche et la noire. La première
+est très sainte et se pratique journellement dans l'église.
+
+_Protestants:_ Chrétiens amphibies.
+
+_Vierge:_ C'est la mère du fils de Dieu et belle-mère de l'église.
+
+_Visions:_ Lanternes magiques que de tout temps le Père Eternel s'est
+amusé à montrer aux Saintes et aux Prophètes.
+
+3. Holbach furnished the last chapter of Naigeon's book _Le Militaire
+philosophe, ou Difficulties sur la religion_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768.
+Voltaire ascribed the work to St. Hyacinthe. Grimm recognized that the
+last chapter was by another hand and considered it the weakest part of
+the book. It attempts to demonstrate that all supernatural religions
+have been harmful to society and that the only useful religion is
+natural religion or morals. The book was refuted by Guidi, in a "_Lettre
+a M. le Chevalier de... [Barthe] entraîné dans l'irreligion par un
+libelle intitulé Le Militaire philosophe_ (1770, 12mo).
+
+4. Holbach's next book was _La Contagion sacrée ou l'Histoire naturelle
+de la Superstition_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768. In his preface Holbach
+attributed the alleged English original of this work to John Trenchard
+but that was only a ruse to avoid persecution. The book is by Holbach.
+It has gone through many editions and been translated into English and
+Spanish. The first edition had an introduction by Naigeon. According
+to him manuscripts of this book became quite rare at one time and were
+supposed to have been lost. Later they became more common and this
+edition was corrected by collation with six others.
+
+
+     [PG transcriber's note: at this point there appears to be a break
+     in the original text.  A sentence introducing the fifth book in
+     this list, "Letters to Eugenie", has evidently been lost.]
+
+
+The letters were written in 1764, according to Lequinio (_Feuilles
+posthumes_), who had his information from Naigeon, to Marguerite,
+Marchioness de Vermandois in answer to a very touching and pitiful
+letter from that lady who was in great trouble over religion. Her young
+husband was a great friend of the Holbachs, but having had a strict
+Catholic bringing up she was shocked at their infidelity and warned by
+her confessor to keep away from them. "Yet in their home she saw all
+the domestic virtues exemplified and beheld that sweet and unchangeable
+affection for which the d'Holbachs were eminently distinguished among
+their acquaintances and which was remarkable for its striking contrast
+with the courtly and Christian habits of the day. Her natural good
+sense and love for her friends struggled with her monastic education and
+reverence for the priests. The conflict rendered her miserable and she
+returned to her country seat to brood over it. In this state of mind she
+at length wrote to the Baron and laid open her situation requesting him
+to comfort, console, and enlighten her." [47:7] His letters accomplished
+the desired effect and he later published them in the hope that they
+would do as much for others. They were carefully revised before they
+were sent to the press. All the purely personal passages were omitted
+and others added to hide the identity of the persons concerned. Letters
+of the sort to religious ladies were common at this time. Fréret's were
+preventive, Holbach's curative, but appear to be rather strong dose
+for a _dévote_. Other examples are Voltaire's _Epître à Uranie_ and
+Diderot's _Entretien d'un Philosophe avec la Maréchale de..._.
+
+6. In 1769 Holbach published two short treatises on the doctrine of
+eternal punishment which claimed to be translations from English, but
+the originals are not to be found. The titles are _De l'intolérance
+convaincue de crime et de folie_ as it is sometimes given, and--
+
+7. _L'Enfer détruit ou Examen raisonné du Dogme de l'Eternité des
+Peines_. Londres, Amsterdam, 1769. This letter was translated into
+English under the title _Hell Destroyed!_ "Now first translated from the
+French of d'Alembert without any mutilations," London 1823, which led
+Mr. J. Hibbert to say, "I know not why English publishers attribute this
+awfully sounding work to the cautious, not to say timid d'Alembert. It
+was followed by Whitefoot's _'Torments of Hell,'_ now first translated
+from the French." [47:8]
+
+
+Of Holbach's remaining works on religion two, _Histoire critique de
+Jésus Christ_ and _Tableau des Saints_, date from 1770 when he began to
+publish his more philosophical works.
+
+8. The _Histoire critique de Jésus Christ ou Analyse raisonnée des
+Evangiles_ was published without name of place or date. It was preceded
+by Voltaire's _Epître à Uranie_. It is an extremely careful but
+unsympathetic analysis of the Gospel accounts, emphasizing all the
+inconsistencies and interpreting them with a literalness that they
+can ill sustain. From this rationalistic view-point Holbach found the
+Gospels a tissue of absurdities and contradictions. His method, however,
+would not be followed by the critique of today.
+
+9. The _Tableau des Saints_ is a still more severe criticism of the
+heroes of Christendom. Holbach's proposition is "La raison ne connaît
+qu'une mesure pour juger et les hommes et les choses, c'est l'utilité
+réelle et permanente, qui en résulte pour notre espèce," (p. 111).
+Judged by this standard, the saints with their eyes fixed on another
+world have fallen far short. "Ils se flattèrent de mériter le ciel en
+se rendant parfaitement inutile à la terre" (p. xviii). Holbach much
+prefers the heroes of classical antiquity. The book is violent but
+learned throughout, and deals not only with the Jewish patriarchs from
+Moses on but with the church fathers and Christian Princes down to the
+contemporary defenders of the faith. After a rather one-sided account
+of the most dreary characters and events in Christian history,
+Holbach concludes: "Tel fut, tel est, et tel sera toujours l'esprit du
+Christianisme: il est aisé de sentir qu'il est incompatible avec les
+principes les plus évidens de la morale et de la saine politique" (p.
+208).
+
+10. In _Recueil philosophique_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1770, edited by
+Naigeon. Réflexions sur les craintes de la Mort. Problème important--La
+Religion est-elle nécessaire à la morale et utile à la Politique. Par M.
+Mirabaud.
+
+11. _Essai sur les préjugés, ou De l'influence des opinions sur les
+moeurs et sur le bonheur des Hommes_. Londres (Amsterdam), 1770, under
+name of Dumarsais. The book pretended to be an elaboration of Dumarsais'
+essay on the _Philosophe_ published in the _Nouvelles libertés de
+penser_, 1750.
+
+The special interest connected with it was the refutation Frederick the
+Great published under the title _Examen de l'Essai sur les préjugés_,
+Londres, Nourse, 1770 (16 mo). The King of Prussia writing from the
+point of view of a practical, enlightened despot, took special exception
+to Holbach's remarks on government. "Il l'outrage avec autant de
+grossièreté que d'indécence, il force le gouvernement de prendre fait et
+cause avec l'église pour s'opposer à l'ennemi commun. Mais, quand avec
+un acharnement violent et les traits de la plus âcre satire, il calomnie
+son Roi et le gouvernement de son pays, on le prend pour un frénétique
+echappé de ses chaînes, et livré aux transports les plus violens de
+sa rage. Quoi, Monsieur le philosophe, protecteur des moeurs et de
+la vertu, ignorez vous qu'un bon citoyen doit respecter la forme de
+gouvernement sous laquelle il vit, ignorez vous qu'il ne convient point
+à un particulier d'insulter les Puissances..." (p. 28).
+
+"Non content d'insulter à toutes les têtes couronnés de l'Europe, notre
+philosophe s'amuse, en passant, à répandre du ridicule sur les ouvrages
+de Hugo Grotius. J'oserais croire qu'il n'en sera pas cru sur sa
+parole, et que le _Droit de la guerre et de la paix_ ira plus loin à la
+postérité que _l'Essai sur les préjugés_" (p. 39).
+
+Holbach in his anti-militaristic enthusiasm had used the words
+"bourreaux mercenaires"; "epithète élégante," continues Frederick,
+"dont il honore les guerriers. Mais souffrions nous qu'un cerveau brûlé
+insulte au plus noble emploi de la Societé?" (p.49). He goes on to
+defend war in good old-fashioned terms. "Vous déclamez contre la guerre,
+elle est funeste en elle-même; mais c'est un mal comme ces autres
+fléaux du ciel qu'il faut supposer nécessaires dans l'arrangement de cet
+univers parce qu'ils arrivent périodiquement et qu'aucun siècle n'a pu
+jusqu'à présent d'en avoir été exempt. J'ai prouvé que de tout temps
+l'erreur a dominé dans ce monde; et comme une chose aussi constante peut
+être envisagée comme une loi général de la nature, j'en conclus que ce
+qui a été toujours sera toujours le même" (p. 19).
+
+Frederick sent his little refutation to Voltaire for his compliments
+which were forthcoming. A few days after Voltaire wrote to d'Alembert:
+
+Le roi de Prusse vous a envoyé, sans doute, son petit écrit contre un
+livre imprimé cette année, intitulé _Essai sur les préjugés_, ce roi a
+aussi les siens, qu'il faut lui pardonner; on n'est pas roi pour rien.
+Mais je voudrais savoir quel est l'auteur de cet _Essai_ contre lequel
+sa majesté prussienne s'amuse à écrire un peu durement. Serait-il de
+Diderot? serait-il de Damilaville? serait-il d'Helvetius? peut-être ne
+le connaissez-vous point, je le crois imprimé en Hollande (Vol. LXVI, p.
+304).
+
+D'Alembert answered:
+
+Oui, le roi de Prusse m'a envoyé son écrit contre _l'Essai sur les
+préjugés_. Je ne suis point étonné que ce prince n'ait pas goûté
+l'ouvrage; je l'ai lu depuis cette réfutation et il m'a paru bien long,
+bien monotone et trop amer. Il me semble que ce qu'il y de bon dans ce
+livre aurait pu et dû être noyé dans moins de pages et je vois que vous
+en avez porté à peu près le même jugement (Vol. LXVI, p. 324).
+
+In spite of these unfavorable judgments the _Essai_ was reprinted
+as late as 1886 by the Bibliotheque Nationale in its _Collection des
+meilleurs auteurs anciens et modernes_, still attributed to Dumarsais
+with the account of his life by "le citoyen Daube" which graced the
+edition of the year I. (1792)
+
+12. Early in 1770 appeared Holbach's most famous book, the _Système de
+la Nature_, the only book that is connected with his name in the minds
+of most historians and philosophers. It seems wiser, however, to deal
+with this work in a chapter apart and continue the account of his later
+publications.
+
+13. The next of which was _Le bon-sens, ou idées naturelles opposées
+aux idées surnaturelles. Par l'Auteur du Système de la Nature_, Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1772. This work has gone through twenty-five editions or
+more and has been translated into English, German, Italian and Spanish.
+As early as 1791 it began to be published under the name of the curé
+Jean Meslier d'Etrépigny, made so famous by Voltaire's publication of
+what was supposed to be his last will and testament in which on his
+death bed he abjured and cursed Christianity. Some editions contain in
+the preface Letters by Voltaire and his sketch of Jean Meslier. The
+last reprint was by De Laurence, Scott & Co., Chicago, 1910. The book
+is nothing more or less than the _Système de la Nature_, in a greatly
+reduced and more readable form.
+
+Voltaire, to whom it was attributed by some, said to d'Alembert, "Il y
+a plus que du bon sens dans ce livre, il est terrible. S'il sort de la
+boutique du _Système de la Nature_, l'auteur s'est bien perfectionné."
+D'Alembert answered: "Je pense comme vous sur le _Bon-sens_ qui me
+paraît un bien plus terrible livre que le _Système de la Nature_." These
+remarks were inscribed by Thomas Jefferson on the title page of his copy
+of _Bon-sens_. The book has gone through several editions in the United
+States and was sold at a popular price. The German translation was
+published in Baltimore on the basis of a copy found in a second-hand
+book store in New Orleans. The most serious work written against it is
+a long and carefully written treatise against materialism by an Italian
+monk, Gardini, entitled _L'anima umana e sue proprietà dedotte da
+soli principi de ragione, dal P. lettore D. Antonmaria Gardini, monaco
+camaldalese, contro i materialisti e specialmente contro l'opera
+intitulata, le Bon-Sens, ou Idées Naturelles opposées aux idées
+Surnaturelles. In Padova MDCCLXXXI Nella stamperia del Seminario.
+Appresso Giovanni Manfré, Con Licenza de Superiori e Privilegio_ (8vo,
+p. xx + 284).
+
+14. In 1773 Holbach published his _Recherches sur les Miracles_, a much
+more sober work than his previous writings on religion. In this book he
+raises the well known difficulties with belief in miracles and brings
+a great deal of real learning and logic to bear on the question. The
+entire work is in a reasonable and philosophic spirit. His conclusion
+is that "une vraie religion doit avoir au défaut de bonnes raisons, des
+preuves sensibles, capables de faire impression sur tout ceux qui la
+cherchent de bonne foi. Ce ne sont pas les miracles." The same year he
+published two serious but somewhat tiresome works on politics.
+
+15. _La politique naturelle_.
+
+16. _Système social_ in which he attempts to reduce government to the
+naturalistic principles which were the basis of his entire philosophy.
+The first is also attributed to Malesherbes. There is a long and keen
+criticism of the _Système Social_ by Mme. d'Epinay in a letter to Abbé
+Galiani Jan. 12, 1773 (Gal. _Corresp._, Vol. II, p. 167).
+
+But the most interesting reaction upon it was that of the Abbé Richard
+who criticized it from point of view of the divine right of kings in
+his long and tiresome work entitled _La Défense de la religion, de
+la morale, de la vertu, de la politique et de la société, dans la
+réfutation des ouvrages qui ont pour titre, l'un Système Social etc.
+Vautre La Politique Naturelle par le R. P. Ch. L. Richard, Professeur de
+Théologie_, etc., Paris, Moulard, 1775.
+
+In a preface of forty-seven pages the fears of the conservative old
+Abbé are well expressed. The aim of these modern philosophers who are
+poisoning public opinion by their writings is to "démolir avec l'antique
+édifice de la religion chrétienne, celui des moeurs, de la vertu, de la
+saine politique etc. rompre tous les canaux de communication entre la
+terre et le ciel, bannir, exterminer du monde le Dieu qui le tira du
+néant, y introduire l'impiété la plus complète, la licence la plus
+consomnée, l'anarchie la plus entière, la confusion la plus horrible."
+
+17. Holbach's next work, _Ethocratie ou Gouvernement fondé sur la
+Morale_, Amsterdam, Rey, 1776, is interesting mainly for its unfortunate
+dedication and peroration, inscribed to Louis XVI, who was hailed
+therein as a long expected Messiah.
+
+18. Holbach's last works dealt exclusively with morals. They are _La
+morale universelle ou les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur la nature_,
+Amsterdam, 1771, and
+
+19. A posthumous work, _Elements de la Morale universelle, ou catechisme
+de la nature_, Paris, 1790. This is a beautiful little book. It
+is simple and clear to the last degree. There have been several
+translations in Spanish for the purposes of elementary education
+in morals in the public schools. It was composed in 1765. Holbach's
+attitude towards morals is indicated by his _Avertissement_--"La morale
+est une science dont les principes sont susceptibles d'une démonstration
+aussi claire et aussi rigoureuse que ceux du calcul et de la géometrie."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III. THE SYSTÈME DE LA NATURE.
+
+
+Early in 1770 appeared the famous _Système de la Nature, ou Des Loix du
+Monde Physique et du Monde Morale, Par M. Mirabaud, Secrétaire Perpétuel
+et l'un des Quarante de l'Académie Française_, Londres (Amsterdam),
+1770. This work has gone through over thirty editions in France, Spain,
+Germany, England and the United States. No book of a philosophic or
+scientific character has ever caused such a sensation at the time of its
+publication, excepting perhaps Darwin's _Origin of Species_, the thesis
+of which is more than hinted at by Holbach. There were several editions
+in 1770. A very few copies contain a _Discours préliminaire de l'Auteur_
+of sixteen pages which Naigeon had printed separately in London. The
+_Abrégé du Code de la Nature_, which ends the book was also published
+separately and is sometimes attributed to Diderot, 8vo, 16 pp. [54:1]
+
+There is also a book entitled _Le vrai sens du Système de la Nature_,
+1774, attributed to Helvetius, a very clear, concise epitome largely in
+Holbach's own short and telling sentences, and much more effective than
+the original because of its brevity. Holbach himself reproduced the
+_Système de la Nature_ in a shortened form in _Bon-sens_, 1772, and
+Payrard plagiarized it freely in _De la Nature et de ses Lois_, Paris,
+1773. The book has been attributed to Diderot, Helvetius, Robinet,
+Damilaville and others. Naigeon is certain that it is entirely by
+Holbach, although it is generally held that Diderot had a hand in it.
+It was published under the name of Mirabaud to obviate persecution. The
+manuscript, it was alleged, had been found among his papers as a sort
+of "testament" or philosophical legacy to posterity. This work may be
+called the bible of scientific materialism and dogmatic atheism. Nothing
+before or since has ever approached it in its open and unequivocal
+insistence on points of view commonly held, if at all, with reluctance
+and reserve. It is impossible in a study of this length to deal fully
+with the attacks and refutations that were published immediately. We may
+mention first the condemnation of the book by the _Parlement de
+Paris_, August 18, 1770, to be burned by the public hangman along
+with Voltaire's _Dieu et les Hommes_, and Holbach's _Discours sur les
+Miracles_, _La Contagion sacrée_ and _le Christianisme dévoilé_, which
+had already been condemned on September 24, 1769. [55:2]
+
+The _Réquisitoire_ of Seguier, _avocat général_, on the occasion of the
+condemnation of the _Système de la Nature_ was so weak and ridiculous
+that the _Parlement de Paris_ refused to sanction its publication, and
+it was printed by the express order of the King. As Grimm observed,
+it seemed designed solely to acquaint the ignorant with this dangerous
+work, without opposing any of its propositions. One would look in vain
+for a better example of the conservatism of the legal profession. [55:3]
+
+Le poison des nouveautés profanes ne peut corrompre la sainte gravité
+des moeurs qui caractérise les vrais Magistrats: tout peut changer
+autour d'eux, _ils restent immuables avec la loi_ (page 496).
+
+N'est-ce pas ce fatal abus de la liberté de penser, qui a enfanté cette
+multitude de sectes, d'opinions, de partis, et cet esprit d'indépendance
+dont d'autres nations ont éprouvé les sinstres révolutions. Le même
+abus produira en France des effets peut-être plus funestes. La liberté
+indéfinie trouveroit, dans la caractère de la nation, dans son activité,
+dans son amour pour la nouveauté, un moyen de plus pour préparer les
+plus affreuses révolutions (p. 498).
+
+The most interesting private attacks on the _Système de la Nature_
+came from two somewhat unexpected quarters, from Ferney and Sans Souci.
+Voltaire, as usual, was not wholly consistent in his opinions of it, as
+is revealed in his countless letters on the subject. Grimm attributed
+his hostility to jealousy, and the fear that the _Système de la Nature_
+might "renverse le rituel de Ferney et que le patriarcat ne s'en aille
+au diable avec lui." [56:4] George Leroy went so far as to write a book
+entitled _Réflexions sur la jalousie, pour servir de commentaire aux
+derniers ouvrages de M. de Voltaire_, 1772. Frederick II naturally felt
+bound to defend the kings who, as Voltaire said, were no better treated
+than God in the _Système de la Nature_. [56:5]
+
+Voltaire's correspondence during this period is so interesting that it
+seems worth while to quote at length, especially from his letters to
+Fredrick the Great. In May 1770, shortly after the publication of the
+_Système de la Nature_ Voltaire wrote to M. Vernes: [56:6] "On a tant
+dit de sottises sur la nature que je ne lis plus aucun de ces livres
+là." But by July he had read it and wrote to Grimm: [56:7] "Si l'ouvrage
+eut été plus serré il aurait fait un effet terrible, mais tel qu'il est
+il en a fait beaucoup. Il est bien plus éloquent que Spinoza... J'ai
+une grande curiosité de savoir ce qu'on en pense à Paris." In writing
+to d'Alembert about this time he seemed to have a fairly favorable
+impression of the book. "Il m'a paru qu'il y avait des longueurs, des
+répétitions et quelques inconséquences, mais il y a trop de bon pour
+qu'on n'éclate avec fureur contre ce livre. Si on garde le silence, ce
+sera une preuve du prodigieux progrès que la tolérance fait tous les
+jours." [57:8] But there was little likelihood that philosophers or
+theologians would keep silent about this scandalous book. Before the end
+of the month Voltaire was writing to d'Alembert about his own and
+the king of Prussia's refutations of it, and the same day wrote to
+Frederick: "Il me semble que vos remarques doivent être imprimées; ce
+sont des leçons pour le genre humain. Vous soutenez d'un bras la cause
+de Dieu et vous écrasez de l'autre la superstition." [57:9] Later
+Voltaire confessed to Frederick that he also had undertaken to rebuke
+the author of the Système de la Nature. "Ainsi Dieu a pour lui les deux
+hommes les moins superstitieux de l'Europe, ce que devrait lui plaire
+beaucoup" (p. 390).
+
+Frederick, however, hesitated to make his refutation public, and wrote
+to Voltaire: "Lorsque j'eus achevé mon ouvrage contre l'athéisme, je
+crus ma réfutation très orthodoxe, je la relus, et je la trouvai bien
+éloignée de l'être. Il y a des endroits qui ne saurait paraître sans
+effaroucher les timides et scandaliser les dévots. Un petit mot qui
+m'est échappé sur l'éternité du monde me ferait lapider dans votre
+patrie, si j'y étais né particulier, et que je l'eusse fait imprimer.
+Je sens que je n'ai point du tout ni l'âme ni le style théologique."
+[57:10] Voltaire, in his "petite drôlerie en faveur de la Divinité"
+(as he called his work) and in his letters, could not find terms harsh
+enough in which to condemn the _Système de la Nature_. He called it "un
+chaos, un grand mal moral, un ouvrage de ténèbres, un péché contre la
+nature, un système de la folie et de l'ignorance," and wrote to Delisle
+de Sales: "Je ne vois pas que rien ait plus avili notre siècle que
+cette énorme sottise." [58:11] Voltaire seemed to grow more bitter about
+Holbach's book as time went on. His letters and various works abound in
+references to it, and it is difficult to determine his motives. He was
+accused, as has been suggested, by Holbach's circle "de caresser les
+gens en place, et d'abandonner ceux qui n'y sont plus." [58:12] M.
+Avenel believed that he suspected Holbach himself of making these
+accusations. Voltaire's letter to the Duc de Richelieu, Nov. 1, 1770,
+[58:13] seems to give them foundation.
+
+A very different reaction was that of Goethe and his university circle
+at Strasburg to whom the _Système de la Nature_ appeared a harmless
+and uninteresting book, "grau," "cimmerisch," "totenhaft," "die echte
+Quintessenz der Greisenheit." To these fervent young men in the youthful
+flush of romanticism, its sad, atheistic twilight seemed to cast a
+veil over the beauty of the earth and rob the heaven of stars; and
+they lightheardedly discredited both Holbach and Voltaire in favor of
+Shakespeare and the English romantic school. One would look far for a
+better instance of the romantic reaction which set in so soon and so
+obscured the clarity of the issues at stake in the eighteenth century
+thought. [58:14]
+
+The leading refutations directed explicitly against the _Système de la
+Nature_ are:
+
+1. 1770, Rive, Abbé J. J., Lettres philosophiques contre le _ Système de
+la Nature_. (Portefeuille hebdomadaire de Bruxelles.)
+
+2. Frederick II, _Examen critique du livre intitulé, Système de la
+Nature_. (Political Miscellanies, p. 175.)
+
+3. Voltaire, Dieu, Réponse de M. de Voltaire au _Système de la Nature_.
+Au château de Ferney, 1770, 8 vo, pp. 34.
+
+4. 1771, Bergier, Abbé N. F., Examen du matérialisme, ou Réfutation du
+_Système de la Nature_. Paris, Humbolt, 1771, 2 vols., 12mo.
+
+5. Camuset, Abbé J. N., Principes contre l'incrédulité, a l'occasion du
+_Système de la Nature_. Paris, Pillot, 1771, 12mo, pp. viii + 335.
+
+6. Castillon, J. de (Salvernini di Castiglione), Observations sur le
+livre intitulé, _Système de la Nature_. Berlin, Decker, 1771, 8vo. (40
+sols broché.)
+
+7. Rochford, Dubois de, Pensées diverses contre le système des
+matérialistes, à l'occasion d'un écrit intitulé; _Système de la Nature_.
+Paris, Lambert, 1771, 12mo.
+
+8. 1773, L'Impie démasqué, ou remontrance aux écrivains incrédules.
+Londres, Heydinger, 1773
+
+9. Holland, J. H., Réflexions philosophiques sur le _Système de la
+Nature_. Paris, 1773, 2 vols., 8vo.
+
+10. 1776, Buzonnière, Nouel de, Observations sur un ouvrage intitulé le
+_Système de la Nature_. Paris, Debure, père, 1776, 8vo, pp. 126. (Prix 1
+livre, 16 sols broché.)
+
+11. 1780, Fangouse, Abbé, La religion prouvée aux incrédules, avec
+une lettre à l'auteur du _Système de la Nature_ par un homme du
+monde. Paris, Debure l'aîné, 12mo, p. 150. Same under title Réflexions
+importantes sur la religion, etc., 1785.
+
+12. 1788, Paulian, A. J., Le véritable système de la nature, etc.,
+Avignon, Niel, 2 vols., 12mo.
+
+13. 1803, Mangold, F. X. von, Unumstossliche Widerlegung des
+Materialismus gegen den Verfasser des _Systems der Natur_. Augsburg,
+1803.
+
+
+Of these and other refutations of materialism such as Saint-Martin's
+_Des erreurs et de la vérité_, Dupont de Nemours' _Philosophie de
+l'univers_, Delisles de Sales' _Philosophie de la nature_, etc., which
+are not directed explicitly against the _Système de la Nature_, the
+works of Voltaire and Frederick the Great are the most interesting but
+by no means the most serious or convincing. Morley finds Voltaire very
+weak and much beside the point, especially in his discussion of order
+and disorder in nature which Holbach had denied. Voltaire's argument is
+that there must be an intelligent motor or cause behind nature (p. 7).
+This is God (p. 8). He admits at the outset that all systems are mere
+dreams but he continues to insist with a dogmatism equal to Holbach's on
+the validity of his dream. He repeatedly asserts without foundation that
+Holbach's system is based on the false experiment of Needham (pp. 5,
+6), and even goes so far as to ridicule the evolutionary hypothesis
+altogether (p. 6). He speaks of the necessity of a belief in God, by
+a kind of natural logic. God and matter exist in the nature of things,
+"Tout nous announce un Être suprême, rien ne nous dit ce qu'il est." God
+himself seems to be a kind of fatalistic necessity. "C'est ce que vous
+appellerez Nature et c'est ce que j'appelle Dieu." At the end he shifts
+the argument from the base of necessity to that of utility. Which is the
+more consoling doctrine? If the idea of God has prevented ten crimes
+I hold that the entire world should embrace it (p. 27). As Morley has
+said, such arguments could scarcely have convinced Voltaire himself.
+
+Frederick was surprised that Voltaire and D'Alembert had found anything
+good in the book. His refutation was more methodical than that of
+Voltaire, who called it a "homage to the Divinity" but wrote to
+D'Alembert that it was written in the style of a notary. Two other
+refutations emanating from the Academy of Berlin were those of Castillon
+and Holland. The first of these is a very heavy and learned work,
+formidable and forbidding in its logic. Castillon reduces Holbach's
+propositions to three. The self-existence of matter, the essential
+relation of movement to it, and the possibility of deriving everything
+from it or some mode of it. Castillon concludes after five hundred pages
+of reasoning that matter is contingent, movement not inherent in it,
+and that purely spiritual beings exist in independence of it. Hence
+the _Système de la Nature_ is a "long and wicked error." Holland's is a
+still more serious work, which the Sorbonne recommended strongly as
+an antidote against Holbach's _Système_ which it qualified as "une
+malheureuse production que notre siècle doit rougir d'avoir enfantée."
+But when it was discovered that Holland was a Protestant his work was
+condemned forthwith, Jan. 17, 1773.
+
+Bergier's refutation is interesting as an attack from a churchman
+of extraordinary keenness and insight into the progress of the new
+philosophy. In the _Système de la Nature_ he recognized the hand of the
+author of _La Contagion sacrée_ and the _Essai sur les préjugés_
+and dealt with it as he did the _Christianisme dévoilé_. Buzonniere,
+Rochfort and Fangouse are milder and more naive in their demonstrations
+and their works are of no weight or interest. _L'Impie démasqué_ is
+a brutal work which qualifies Holbach as a "vile apostle of vice and
+crime," and the _Système de la Nature_ as the most impudent treatise on
+atheism that has yet dishonored the globe--one which covers the century
+with shame and will be the scandal of future generations.
+
+The work of Paulian is of a different sort. Coming comparatively late,
+it attempted to review the hostile opinions of many years and then mass
+them in an overwhelming final attack on the _Système de la Nature_. To
+this end Paulian rewrites the entire book chapter by chapter, giving
+the "true version." He then reviews Holland's outline and Bergier's
+comments, together with seven articles directed explicitly against the
+_Système de la Nature_ in such works as the _Lettres Helviennes_, of
+Abbé Barruel, _Dict. des Philosophes_, _Dict. anti-philosophe_, his own
+_Dict. théologique_, etc., besides many other writings against the
+new philosophy in general. He then reviews articles by members of the
+philosophic school against materialism and then goes back to Holbach's
+sources, Diderot, Bayle, Spinoza, Lucretius, Epicurus, etc. The work is
+not scholarly but comprehensive and evidently discouraged further formal
+refutations.
+
+The _Système de la Nature_ had many critics in the stormy days that
+followed 1789. Delisle de Sales found it a monstrosity--a _fratras_; La
+Harpe called it an infamous book, "un amas de bêtises qu'on ose appeler
+philosophie, inconcevables inepties, un immense échafaudage de mensonge
+et d'invective"; M. Villemain is much more calm and fair; Lord Brougham,
+like Damiron, Buzonnière, and many others, found it seductive but full
+of false reasoning; Lerminier was so severe that St.-Beuve was moved to
+defend Holbach against him. Samuel Wilkinson, the English translator of
+1820, is one of the few whose criticism is at all favorable. Holbach has
+always appealed to a certain type of radical mind and his translators
+and editors have generally been men who were often over-enthusiastic.
+For example, Mr. Wilkinson says of the _Système de la Nature_, [64:15]
+"No work, ancient or modern, has surpassed it in the eloquence and
+sublimity of its language or in the facility with which it treats
+the most abstruse and difficult subjects. It is without exception the
+boldest effort the human mind has yet produced in the investigation of
+Morals and Theology. The republic of letters has never produced another
+author whose pen was so well calculated to emancipate mankind from all
+those trammels with which the nurse, the school master, and the priest
+have successively locked up their noblest faculties, before they were
+capable of reasoning and judging for themselves."
+
+It seems unnecessary to analyze the _Système de la Nature_. This has
+been done by Damiron, Soury, Fabre, Lange, Morley, the historians of
+philosophy, and encyclopaedists; and the book itself is easily available
+in the larger libraries. The substance of Holbach's philosophy is
+susceptible of clearer treatment apart from it or any one of his books,
+although it permeates all of them.
+
+M. Jules Soury has said, in describing a certain type of mind: "Il est
+d'heureux esprits, des âmes fortes et saines, que n'effraie point le
+silence éternel des espaces infinis où s'anéantissait la raison de
+Pascal. Naïves et robustes natures, mâles et vigoureux penseurs, qui
+gardent toute la vie quelque chose des dons charmants de la jeunesse et
+de l'enfance même, une foi vive dans le témoinage immédiat de nos sens
+et de notre conscience, une humeur alerte, toute de joyeuse ardeur,
+et comme une intrépidité d'esprit que rien n'arrête. Pour eux tout est
+clair et uni; ou à peu près, et là où ils soupçonnent quelque bas-bond
+insondable, ils se détournent et poursuivent fièrement leur chemin.
+Comme cet Epicurien dont parle Cicéron au commencement du _De natura
+deorum_, ils ont toujours l'air de sortir de l'assemblée des dieux et de
+descendre des intermondes d'Epicure."
+
+Such was Holbach. His philosophy is based on the child-like assumption
+that things are as they seem, provided they are observed with sufficient
+care by a sufficient number of people. This brings us at once to the
+very heart of Holbach's method which was experimental and inductive
+to the last degree. Holbach was nourished on what might be called
+scientific rather than philosophical traditions. As M. Tourneux has
+pointed out, he had been a serious student of the natural sciences,
+especially those connected with the constitution of the earth. These
+studies led him to see the disparity between certain accepted and
+traditional cosmologies and a scientific interpretation of the
+terrestrial globe and the forms of life which flourish upon it. Finding
+the supposed sacred and infallible records untrustworthy in one regard,
+he began to question their veracity at other points. Being of a
+critical frame of mind, he took the records rather more literally than
+a sympathetic, allegorical apologist would have done, although it cannot
+be said that he used much historical insight. After having studied the
+sacred texts for purposes of writing or having translated other men's
+studies on Moses, David, the Prophets, Jesus, Paul, the Christian
+theologians and saints, miracles, etc., he concluded that these accounts
+were untrustworthy and mendacious. He knew ancient and modern philosophy
+and found in the greater part of it an unwarranted romantic or
+theological trend which his scientific training had caused him to
+suspect. It must be admitted that however false or illogical Holbach's
+conclusions may be considered, he was by no means ignorant of the
+subjects he chose to treat, as some of his detractors would have one
+believe. His theory of knowledge was that of Locke and Condillac, and
+on this foundation he built up his system of scientific naturalism and
+dogmatic atheism.
+
+His initial assumption is, as has been suggested, that experience
+(application réitérée des sens) and reason are trustworthy guides to
+knowledge. By them we become conscious of an external objective world,
+of which sentient beings themselves are a part, from which they receive
+impressions through their sense organs. These myriad impressions when
+compared and reflected upon form reasoned knowledge or truth, provided
+they are substantiated by repeated experiences carefully made. That is,
+an idea is said to be true when it conforms perfectly with the actual
+external object. This is possible unless one's senses are defective, or
+one's judgment vitiated by emotion and passion.
+
+Holbach's contention is that if one applies experience and reason to
+the external universe, or nature, "ce vaste assemblage de tout ce qui
+existe"; it reveals a _single objective reality_, i. e., _matter_, which
+is in itself essentially active or in a state of motion.
+
+From matter in motion are derived all the phenomena that strike our
+senses. All is matter or a function of it. Matter, then, is not an
+effect, but a cause. It is not caused; it is from eternity and of
+necessity. The cardinal point in Holbach's philosophy is an inexorable
+materialistic necessity. Nothing, then, is exempt from the laws of
+physics and chemistry. Inorganic substance and organic life fall into
+the same category. Man himself with all his differentiated faculties
+is but a function of matter and motion in extraordinary complex and
+involved relations. Man's imputation to himself of free will and
+unending consciousness apart from his machine is an idle tale built on
+his desires, not on his experiences nor his knowledge of nature. This
+imputation of a will or soul to nature, independent of it or in any
+sense above it, is a still more idle one derived from his renunciation
+of the witness of his senses and his following after the phantoms of his
+imagination. It is ignorance or disregard of nature then that has
+given rise to supernatural ideas that have "no correspondence with true
+sight," or, as Holbach expressed it, have no counterpart in the external
+object. In other words, theology, or poetry about God, as Petrarch said,
+is ignorance of natural causes reduced to a system.
+
+Man is a purely natural or physical being, like a tree or a stone. His
+so-called spiritual nature (l'homme moral) is merely a phase of his
+physical nature considered under a special aspect. He is all matter in
+motion, and when that ceases to function in a particular way, called
+life, he ceases to be as a conscious entity. He is so organized, however
+that his chief desires are to survive and render his existence happy.
+By happiness Holbach means the presence of pleasure and the absence of
+pain. In all his activity, then, man will seek pleasure and avoid pain.
+The chief cause of man's misery or lack of well being is his ignorance
+of the powers and possibilities of his own nature and the Universal
+Nature. All he needs is to ascertain his place in nature and adjust
+himself to it. From the beginning of his career he has been the dupe
+of false ideas, especially those connected with supernatural powers,
+on whom he supposed he was dependent. But, if ignorance of nature gave
+birth to the Gods, knowledge of nature is calculated to destroy them and
+the evils resulting from them, the introduction of theistic ideas into
+politics and morals. In a word, the truth, that is, _correct ideas of
+nature_ is the one thing needful to the happiness and well-being of man.
+
+The application of these principles to the given situation in France in
+1770 would obviously have produced unwelcome results. Holbach's theory
+was that religion was worse than useless in that it had inculcated false
+and pernicious ideas in politics and morals. He would do away completely
+with it in the interest of putting these sciences on a natural basis.
+This basis is self-interest, or man's inevitable inclination toward
+survival and the highest degree of well-being, "L'objet de la morale est
+de faire connaître aux hommes que leur plus grand intérêt exige qu'ils
+pratiquent la vertu; le but du gouvernement doit être de la leur faire
+pratiquer."
+
+Government then assumes the functions of moral restraint formally
+delegated to religion; and punishments render virtue attractive and vice
+repugnant. Holbach's theory of social organization is practically that
+of Aristotle. Men combine in order to increase the store of individual
+well-being, to live the good life. If those to whom society has
+delegated sovereignty abuse their power, society has the right to take
+it from them. Sovereignty is merely an agent for the diffusion of truth
+and the maintenance of virtue, which are the prerequisites of social and
+individual well-being. The technique of progress is enlightenment and
+good laws.
+
+Nothing could be clearer or simpler than Holbach's system. As Diderot
+so truly said, he will not be quoted on both sides of any question.
+His uncompromising atheism is the very heart and core of his system
+and clarifies the whole situation. All supernatural ideas are to be
+abandoned. Experience and reason are once for all made supreme, and
+henceforth refuse to share their throne or abdicate in favor of faith.
+Holbach's aim was as he said to bring man back to nature and render
+reason dear to him. "Il est tempts que cette raison injustement dégradée
+quitte un ton pusillamine qui la rendront complice du mensonge et du
+délire."
+
+If reason is to rule, the usurper, religion, must be ejected; hence
+atheism was fundamental to his entire system. He did not suppose by any
+means that it would become a popular faith, because it presupposed too
+much learning and reflection, but it seemed to him the necessary weapon
+of a reforming party at that time. He defines an atheist as follows:
+"C'est un homme, qui détruit des chimères nuisibles au genre humain,
+pour ramener les hommes à la nature, à l'expérience, à la raison. C'est
+un penseur qui, ayant médité la matière, ses propriétés et ses façons
+d'agir, n'a pas besoin, pour expliquer les phénomènes de l'univers et
+les opérations de la nature, d'imaginer des puissances idéales, des
+intelligences imaginaires, des êtres de raison; qui loin de faire mieux
+connaître cette nature, ne font que la rendre capricieuse, inexplicable,
+et méconnaissable, inutile au bonheur des hommes."
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX
+
+HOLBACH'S CORRESPONDENCE
+
+
+ The following letters of Holbach are extant:
+
+ Holbach to Hume, Aug. 23, 1763.
+ Holbach to Hume, Mar. 16, 1766.
+ Holbach to Hume, July 7, 1766.
+ Holbach to Hume, Aug. 18, 1766.
+ Holbach to Hume, Sept. 7, 1766.
+
+ These were printed in Hume's _Private Correspondence_, London, 1820,
+ pp. 252-263, and deal largely with Hume's quarrel with Rousseau.
+
+ Holbach to Garrick, June 16, 1765.
+ Holbach to Garrick, Feb. 9, 1766.
+
+ These two letters are in manuscript in Lansdowne House,
+ Coll. Forster, and were published by F. A. Hedgcock,
+ _David Garrick et ses amis français_. Paris, 1911, pp. 251-253.
+
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Aug., 1746, 9 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30867, p. 14).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Dec. 10, 1746 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30867, p. 18).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, May 22, 1766 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 39)
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Nov. 9, 1766 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 81).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Dec. 10, 1767 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 173).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, July 17, 1768 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30870, p. 59).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Mar. 19, 1770 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30871, p. 16).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, April 27, 1775, 9 (Wilkes, _Correspondence_,
+  London, 1804, Vol. IV, p. 176).
+
+ The first seven of these letters are published for the first time
+ in the present volume, pp. 6-11 and pp. 75-80.
+
+ Holbach to Galiani, Aug. 11, 1769 (_Critica_, Vol. I, pp. 488 sq.).
+
+ Galiani to Holbach, April 7, 1770 (Galiani, _Correspondence_, Paris,
+ 1890, Vol. I, p. 92).
+
+ Galiani to Holbach, July 21, 1770 (Galiani, _Correspondence_, Paris,
+ 1890, Vol. I, p. 199).
+
+ Holbach to Galiani, Aug. 25, 1770 (_Critica_, Vol. I, p. 489).
+
+
+ There are references to other letters in _Critica_ which I have not
+ been able to find.
+
+ Holbach to Beccaria, Mar. 15, 1767, published by M. Landry
+ _Beccaria, Scritte e lettre inediti_, 1910, p. 146.
+
+ Holbach to Malesherbes, April 6, 1761 (hitherto unpublished). See
+ present volume, p. 30.
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO HUME
+ (Hume, Private Correspondence, London, 1820, pp. 252-263)
+ PARIS, the 23rd. of August, 1763
+
+ _Sir,_--
+
+ I have received with the deepest sense of gratitude your very kind
+ and obliging letter of the 8th. inst: favors of great men ought to
+ give pride to those that have at least the merit of setting the value
+ that is due upon them.  This is my case with you, sir; the reading
+ of your valuable works has not only inspired me with the strongest
+ admiration for your genius and amiable parts, but gave me the highest
+ idea of your person and the strongest desire of getting acquainted
+ with one of the greatest philosophers of my age, and of the best friend
+ to mankind.  These sentiments have emboldened me to send formally,
+ though unknown to you, the work you are mentioning to me.  I thought
+ you were the best to judge of such a performance, and I took only
+ the liberty of giving a hint of my desires, in case it should meet
+ with your approbation, nor was I surprized, or presumed to be
+ displeased, at seeing my wishes disappointed.  The reasons appeared
+ very obvious to me; not withstanding the British liberty, I conceived
+ there were limits even to it.  However, my late friend's book has
+ appeared since and there is even an edition of it lately done in
+ England: I believe it will be relished by the friends of truth,
+ who like to see vulgar errors struck at the root.  This has been
+ your continued task, sir; and you deserve for it the praises of all
+ sincere wellwishers of humanity: give me leave to rank myself among
+ them, and express to you, by this opportunity you have been so kind
+ as to give me, the fervent desire we have to see you in this country.
+ Messrs. Stuart, Dempster, Fordyce, who are so good as to favor me
+ with their company, have given me some hopes of seeing you in this
+ metropolis, where you have so many admirers as readers, and as many
+ sincere friends as there are disciples of philosophy.  I don't doubt
+ but my good friend M. Helvétius will join in our wishes, and prevail
+ upon you to come over.  I assure you, sir, you won't perceive much
+ the change of the country, for all countries are alike for people that
+ have the same minds.
+
+ I am, with the greatest veneration and esteem, sir, your most
+ obedient and most humble servant.
+  D'HOLBACH.
+  Rue Royale, butte St. Roch, à Paris.
+
+
+ HOLBACH To GARRICK
+ (Coll. Forster, Vol. XXI; pub., Hedgcock, p. 253)
+ PARIS, Feb ye 9th, 1766.
+
+ I received, my very Dear Sir, with a great deal of pleasure, your
+ agreeable letter of ye 24th of January, but was very sorry to hear
+ that you are inlisted in the numerous troup of _gouty_ people.  Tho'
+ I have myself the honour of being of that tribe I dont desire my
+ friends should enter into the same corporation.  I am particularly
+ griev'd to see you among the invalids for you have, more than any
+ other, occasion for the free use of your limbs.  However, don't be
+ cross and peevish for that would be only increasing you distemper;
+ and I charge you especially of not scolding that admirable lady
+ Mrs Garrick, whose sweetness of temper and care must be a great
+ comfort in your circumstances.  I beg leave to present her with my
+ respects and ye compliments of my wife, that has enjoyed but an
+ indifferent state of health, owing to the severity of the winter.
+ Mr and Made Helvetius desire you both their best wishes and so do
+ all your friends, for whom I can answer that every one of them
+ keeps a kind remembrance of your valuable persons.  Dr. Gem thinks
+ you'll do very well to go to Bath, but his opinion is that a thin
+ diet would be more serviceable to you than anything else; believe
+ he is in the right.  Abbé Morellet pays many thanks for the answers
+ to his queries, but complains of their shortness and laconism;
+ however it is not your fault.  He is glad to hear you have receiv'd
+ his translation of Beccaria's book, _Des délits et des peines_ and
+ the compliments of our friend Dr Gatti to whom I gave your direction
+ before he went to London.  Our friend Suard has entered his neck into
+ the matrimonial halter; we are all of us very sorry for it for we know
+ that nothing combin'd with love, will at last make nothing at all.
+
+ I was not much surpris'd at the particulars you are pleas'd to mention
+ about Rousseau.  According to the thorough knowledge I have had of
+ him I look on that man as a mere philosophical quack, full of
+ affectation, of pride, of oddities and even villainies; the work he
+ is going to publish justifies the last imputation.  Is his memory so
+ short as to forget that Mr Grimm, for those 9 years past, has taken
+ care of the mother of his wench or _gouvernante_ whom he left to starve
+ here after having debauch'd her daughter and having got her 3 or 4
+ times with child.  That great philosopher should remember that
+ Mr. Grimm has in his hands letters under his own hand-writing that
+ prove him the most ungrateful dogg in the world.  During his last
+ stay in Paris he made some attempts to see Mr Diderot, and being
+ refused that favor, he pretended that Diderot endeavoured to see
+ him, but that himself had refused peremptorily to comply with his
+ request.  I hope these particulars will suffice to let you know what
+ you are to think of that illustrious man.  I send you here a copy of
+ a letter supposed to come from the King of Prussia, but done by
+ Mr Horace Walpole, whereby you'll see that gentleman has found out
+ his true character.  But enough of that rascal who deserves not to be
+ in Mr Hume's company but rather among the bears, if there are any in
+ the mountains of Wales.
+
+ I am surprized you have not receiv'd yet the _Encyclopédie_, for a
+ great number of copies have been sent over already to England unless
+ you have left your subscription here, where hitherto not one copy has
+ been delivered for prudent reasons.
+
+ We have had in the French Comedy a new play called _Le Philosophie sans
+ le savoir_ done and acted in a new stile, quite natural and moving: it
+ has a prodigious success and deserves it extremely well.  Marmontel
+ will give us very soon upon the Italian stage his comical opera of
+ _La Bergère des Alpes_.  I hope it will prove very agreeable to the
+ Publick, having been very much delighted by the rehearsal of it; the
+ music was done by Mr Cohaut who teaches my wife to play on the luth.
+ We expect a tragedy of the Dutch Barnvelt.
+
+ Mr Wilkes is still in this town, where he intends to stay until you
+ give him leave to return to his native country.  We have had the
+ pleasure of seeing Mr Chanquion, your friend, who seems to be a very
+ discerning gentleman and to whom in favor of your friendship I have
+ shown all the politeness I could.  I hear that Sr James Macdonald has
+ been ill at Parma, but is now recovered and in Rome.  Abbé Galliani is
+ still at Naples and stands a fair chance of being employ'd in the
+ ministry there.
+
+ Adieu, very dear Sir and remember your affectionate friend
+  D'HOLBACH
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 39)
+ PARIS the 22d Of May (1766)
+
+ _My dear Sir_
+
+ I am extremely glad to know your lucky passage and happy arrival
+ in your native country.  I hope you know too well the sincere
+ dispositions of my heart as to doubt of the friendship I have
+ vowed to you for life; it has been of too long a duration to be
+ shaken by any circumstances, and especially by those that do honor
+ to you.  I shall be very happy if your affairs (that seem to be in
+ a fair way) permit you to drop over very soon to spend some time
+ in this place along with Miss Wilkes to whom Made D'Holbach and I
+ pay our best compliments.  I can easily paint to my imagination
+ the pleasure you both felt at your first meeting; everybody that
+ has any sensibility must be acquainted with the grateful pangs in
+ those moving circumstances.
+
+ Your case with the hawker at your entry in London is very odd and
+ whimsical you did extremely well to humour the man in his opinion
+ about Mr. Wilkes.  I dare say if you had done otherwise his fist
+ would have convinc'd you of the goodness of your cause, and then it
+ would have been impossible for you to pass for a dead man any longer;
+ which however, I think was very necessary for you in the beginning.
+ I expect with great eagerness the settlement of your affairs with
+ the ministry to your own satisfaction; be persuaded, Dear Sir, that
+ nobody interests himself in your happiness than myself, and nothing
+ will conduce more to it than your steady attachment to the principles
+ of honor and patriotism.
+
+ If you don't find a way of disposing of the little packet, you need
+ not take much trouble about it, and you may bring it back along with
+ you, when you come to this place, as to the kind offers you are so
+ good as to make me about commissions, experience has taught me that
+ it is unsafe to trust you with them, so I beg leave with gratitude
+ to decline your proposals as that point.
+
+ All our common friends and acquaintances desire their best
+ compliments to you, and believe me, my dear Sir.
+
+  Your affectionate oblig'd humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., VOL 30869, p. 81)
+ PARIS 9ber 10th 1766
+
+ _My very Dear Sir_
+
+ I receiv'd with the greatest pleasure the news of your lucky arrival
+ in Engelland.  You know the sentiments of my heart, and are undoubtedly
+ convinc'd how much I wish for the good success of all your enterprises
+ tho I am to be a great looser by it.  I rejoice very heartily at the
+ fine prospect you have now in view and don't doubt but the persons you
+ mention will succeed if they are in good earnest: which is allways a
+ little doubtful in people of that Kidney.
+
+ We have had the pleasure of seeing Miss Wilkes three or four times since
+ your departure, she is extreamly well and longs for the return of her
+ friend Mlle Helvetius the 20th of this month.
+
+ Rousseau will very likely hate the English very cordially for making
+ him pay so dear for his books, it is however a sign that he told us a
+ lye when he pretended in his writings to have no books at all, as to
+ his guitar he should buy a new one to tune his heart a little better
+ than he did before.
+
+ We have no news here, except the Election of Mr Thomas as a member of
+ the french academy.  Marquis Beccaria is going to leave us very soon
+ being obliged to return to Milan: Count Veri will at the same time set
+ out for England.
+
+ I'll be oblig'd to you for a copy or two of the book printed in holland
+ you mentioned in your letter you may send it by some private opportunity
+ to Miss Wilkes, with, proper directions.  A gentleman of our Society
+ should be glad to get 2 copies of Baskervilles' virgil _in octavo_.
+
+ Tho Mr Davenport and Rousseau seem to be pleased very much with one
+ another, I suppose they may very soon be tired of their squabbling,
+ and the latter like the apostles will shake of against the barbarous
+ Britons the dust of his feet.
+
+ Receive the hearty compliments of my wife and all our friends.  You
+ know the true sentiments of my heart for you,
+ Dear Sir.  I am with great sincerity
+  your most obedient humble Servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 173)
+
+ _Dear Sir_
+
+ I receiv'd with a great deal of pleasure your friendly letter from
+ Ostende of the 26th. nov. I was extreamly glad to hear your happy
+ arrival at that place, and do not doubt but you met with a lucky
+ passage to Dover the following day, we are now enjoying the conversation
+ of your British friends about elections; that will not be tedious for
+ you if, according to your hopes, you should succeed in your projects.
+
+ I see by your letter that instead of coming back directly by Calais
+ you intend to travel with Miss Wilkes through Antwerp and the Low
+ countries, which I should think not very advisable in this rigorous
+ season of the year, for generally at that time the waters are lock'd
+ up by the frost and travelling is bad et tedious and may be would
+ prove hurtful to your tender fellow traveler to whom my wife and I
+ desire our best compliments.  Such a scheme will be more advantagious
+ for you both and more conformable to the wishes of your friends in
+ this place.
+
+ I hope your arrival in London will contribute to reconcile abbé
+ Galliani to that place, where he complains of having not heard of
+ the sun since he set his foot on British shore, however he may
+ comfort himself for we have had very little of it in this country.
+ The Abbé must be overjoy'd at the news of the Jesuits being expell'd
+ from his Native country for now he may say _Gens inimica mihi
+ Tyrrhenum navigat aquor_.  We have no material news in this country,
+ except that the queen continues to be in a very bad state of health.
+
+ If there is some good new romance I'll be oblig'd to bring it over
+ along with you as, well as a couple of french books call'd
+ _Militaire philosophe_ and _Théologie portative_ in case you may
+ easily find them in London, for we cannot get them here.  I am told
+ the works of one Morgan have been esteem'd in your country but I don't
+ know the titles of them, if you should know them and meet with them
+ with facility, I should be very much oblig'd to you provided you make
+ me pay a little more than you have done hitherto for your commissions.
+
+ All our common friends beg their compliments and I wish for your
+ speedy return, and I am Sincerely
+ Dear Sir
+  Your faithful affectionate humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+ PARIS the 10th of decemb. 1767
+
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30870, p. 59)
+ GRANDVAL, 17th of July 1768
+
+ _Dear Sir_
+
+ I receiv'd with a great deal of pleasure your very agreeable letter
+ of the 28th of last month.  I am extreamly glad that your generous
+ soul is very far from sinking under the weight of these Misfortunes,
+ and to see that you don't give up the hopes of carrying triumphantly
+ your point notwithstanding the discouragements you have met with lately.
+ I need not tell you how much your friends in Paris and I in particular
+ interest ourselves in all the events that may befall you.  Our old
+ friendship ought to be a sure pledge of my sincere sentiments for you,
+ and of my best wishes for your good success in all your undertakings.
+ I believe you can do no better but to keep strictly to the rules you
+ have laid down for your conduct, and I don't doubt but you'll find it
+ will answer the best to your purpose.
+
+ I am very much oblig'd to you, Dear Sir, for the kind offers you make
+ in your friendly letter.  I have desir'd already Mr Suard to bring over
+ a few books lately published in your metropolis.  I am very glad to hear
+ that Gentleman is pleas'd with his journey.
+
+ There's no possibility of getting for you a compleat sett of Callots
+ engravings.  Such a collection must be the business of many years; it
+ is to be found only after the decease of some curious men who have taken
+ a great deal of trouble to collect them.  I found indeed in two shops 8
+ or 10 of them, but the proofs (les épreuves) were very indifferent and
+ they wanted to sell them excessively dear; in general 200 guineas would
+ procure a collection very far from being compleat.
+
+ My wife and all our common acquaintence desire their best compliments
+ to you and to Miss Wilkes and you know the sentiments wherewith I am
+ for ever
+ Dear Sir
+  your affectionate friend and
+  very humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30871, p. 16)
+ PARIS the 19th of March 1770
+
+ _Dear Sir_
+
+ I receiv'd with a due sense of gratitude the favour of your last
+ letter, and was overjoy'd to hear from yourself that your long
+ confinement has not been able hitherto to obstruct the lively flow
+ of your spirits.  A little more patience and you'll reach the end
+ of all your misfortunes, that have been faithfully partaken by your
+ friends in England and abroad, for my own part I wish most sincerely
+ that everything for the future may turn to your profit and welfare,
+ without hurting that of your country, to whom, as a lover of mankind,
+ I am a well wisher.
+
+ My wife desires her best compliments to you and your beloved Daughter,
+ whom we both expect to see again with a great deal of pleasure in
+ this country next month.  Notwithstanding our bad circumstances we
+ are making very great preparations for the Wedding of the Dauphin,
+ and our metropolis begins already to be filled with foreigners that
+ flock hither from all parts of the world.  Our friend Mr D'Alainville
+ is to set out at the end of April to fetch the Archdutchess at
+ Strasbourg and bring mask (ed) (?) her different stages on the road
+ to Versailles.
+
+ We have no news in the literary world except that Voltaire
+ is become lately _le père temporal_, that is to say the benefactor
+ of the _Capucins du pays de Gex_ where he lives, a title of which
+ all his pranks seemd to exclude him, but grace you know, is omnipotent,
+ and monks are not over nice when there is something to be got by
+ their condescension.
+
+ If the hurry of affairs whould leave you any moments to read
+ curious books I would advise you to peruse two very strange
+ works lately publish'd viz _Recherches philosophiques sur les
+ américains_, le _Système de la Nature_ par Mirabaud.  I suppose
+ you'll find them cheaper and more easily in London that at
+ Paris.
+
+ All your late acquaintances in this Town desire me to present
+ you with their sincere compliments and best wishes; as to mine
+ you know that they have no other object but your Welfare.
+
+ I am, Dear Sir, for ever
+  your most affectionate friend
+  and humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+
+ P. S. I'll be very much oblig'd to you for sending over to me in
+ 2 vol. small octavo.
+
+
+
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Wilkes, Correspondence, London, 1805, Vol. 4, p. 176)
+ PARIS, April 27; 1775
+
+ "_My Lord_,
+
+ "I received with the utmost gratitude your lordship's friendly
+ letter of the 28th of March. (1775?)  I should have done
+ myself the honor of answering sooner to your kind propositions,
+ if I had not been prevented by some gouty infirmities that have
+ assailed in the beginning of this spring.  I esteem myself very
+ happy to find that the hurry of business, and your exhaltation
+ to the rank of chief-magistrate, could not make you forget your
+ friendship to me; though my present circumstances do not permit
+ me to make use of your friendly invitation, be persuaded my very
+ dear lord that Madame D'Holbach and myself shall forever keep
+ these signs of your kindness, in very grateful remembrance.
+
+ We both desire our best compliments to your very amiable
+ lady-mayoress: who acted so well her part lately in the Egyptian
+ hall, to the satisfaction of that prodigious crowd you have
+ been entertaining there.  All members of our society that have
+ had the happiness of being acquainted with you, desire to be
+ kindly remembered; and a continuation of your valuable friendship
+ shall for ever be the utmost ambition
+  my lord
+  of your most sincerely devoted
+  D'HOLBACH"
+
+
+
+ GALIANI To HOLBACH
+ (Galiani, Corresp., Vol. I, p. 199)
+ NAPLES, le 21 juillet, 1770
+
+ _Bonjour, mon cher Baron,_
+
+ J'ai vu le _Système de la Nature_.  C'est la ligne où finit la
+ tristesse de la morne et sèche vérité, au-delà commence la gaieté
+ du roman.  Il n'y a rien de mieux que de se persuader que les dés
+ sont pipés: cette idée en enfante milles autres, et un nouveau
+ monde se régénère.  Le M. Mirabaud est un vrai abbé Terray
+ de la métaphysique.  Il fait des réductions, des suspensions,
+ et cause la banqueroute du savoir, du plaisir et de l'esprit
+ humain.  Mais vous allez me dire qu'aussi il y avait trop de
+ nonvaleurs: on était trop endetté, il courait trop de papiers non
+ réels sur la place.  C'est vrai aussi, et voilà pourquoi la crise
+ est arrivée.
+
+ Adieu, mon cher baron.  Ecrivez-moi de longues lettres, pour que
+ le plaisir en soit plus grand.  Embrassez moi longuement la
+ baronne, et soyez longue dans tout que vous faites, dans tout
+ ce que vous patientez, dans tout ce que vous espérer.  La
+ longanimité est une belle vertu; c'est elle qui me fait espérer
+ de revoir Paris.
+  Adieu.
+
+
+
+ HOLBACH To GALIANI
+ (Critica, Vol. I, 1903, p. 489)
+
+ GRANDVAL, le 25 d'août 1770
+
+ _Bonjour, mon très délicieux abbé,_
+
+ J'ai bien reçu votre très-précieuse lettre du 21 de juillet qui
+ m'accuse la réception de celle que je vous avais écrite le 3 de
+ juin.  Je vois que celle-ci a été longtemps en route, attendu
+ que M. Torcia à qui M. Diderot s'était chargé de la remettre, a
+ encore traînassé quelque temps à Paris, suivant la louable
+ coutume des voyageurs qui nous quittent toujours avec peine.
+
+ Je suis bien aise que vous ayez lu le livre de Mirabaud qui fait
+ un bruit affreux dans ce pays.  L'abbé Bergier l'a déjà
+ réfuté très-longuement et sa réponse paraîtra cet hiver.  La
+ Sorbonne est, dit-on, occupée à détruire ce maudit _Système_ qui
+ lui paraît au moins hérétique.  Voltaire lui-même se prépare
+ à le pulvériser; en attendant nos seigneurs du Parlement y
+ viennent d'y répondre par des fagots, ainsi qu'à quelque autres
+ ouvrages de même trempe.  Ce qu'il y a de fâcheux c'est que
+ l'ouvrage de V. qui a pour titre _Dieu et les hommes_ a été
+ enveloppé dans la même condamnation, ce qui doit déplaire
+ souverainement à l'auteur.  Je me rappelle à cette occasion ce
+ que M. Hume dit d'un catholique que Henri VIII fit conduire au
+ bûcher avec quelques hérétiques, et dont le seul chagrin était
+ d'être brûlé en si mauvaise compagnie.  Nonobstant toutes ces
+ réfutations, il parait tous les jours quelques nouveaux ouvrages
+ impies, au point que je suis très surpris que la récolte ait été
+ si bonne dans le royaume.  En dernier lieu on vient de publier un
+ ouvrage sous le titre de _Droit des souverains sur les biens du
+ clergé_, qui, sans contenir des impiétés n'en est pas moins déplaisant
+ pour cela: Il va droit à la cuisine, et veut que pour liquider
+ la dette nationale on vende tous les biens ecclésiastiques et
+ que l'on met nos pontifes à la pension.  Vous sentez qu'une
+ proposition si mal sonnante n'a pu manquer de mettre le ciel en
+ courroux; sa colère s'est déchargé sur cinq ou six libraires et
+ colporteurs qui ont été mis en prison.
+
+
+
+
+[ENDNOTES]
+
+
+ [1:1] Diderot, _Oeuvres_, ed. Assézat et Tourneaux, Vol. XX, p. 28.
+
+ [2:2] Grimm, _Corr. Lit._, Vol. XV, p. 421.
+
+ [3:3] Diderot, _Oeuvres_, Vol. XX, p. 95.
+
+ [3:4] Among the most important are Damiron J. P., _Mémoires pour
+ servir à l'histoire de la philosophie au dix-huitième siècle_ (Paris,
+ 1858, 3 vols., 8vo); Lange, _Geschichte des Materialismus_ (Eng. tr.,
+ Boston, 1877); Morley, _Diderot and the Encyclopedists_ (N. Y., 1891,
+ 2 vols., 12mo); Plekhanow, G., _Beiträge zur Geschichte des Materialismus_
+ (Stuttgart, 1896); Hancock, A. E., _The French Revolution and the
+ English Poets_ (N. Y., 1899); Tallentyre, _The Friends of Voltaire_
+ (London, 1906); Fabre, _Les Pères de la Révolution_ (Paris, 1910), etc.
+
+ [5:5] Confessions, _Oeuvres_, Vol. XXIV, p. 338.
+
+ [5:6] Bib. Nat. mss. _Pièces originales,_ 1529, d'Holbach, 34, 861.
+
+ [6:7] Carlyle, Rev. Dr. A., _Autobiography_, ed. Burton, Boston, 1861,
+ p. 137 sq. for Holbach's English friends mentioned in his letters to
+ Wilkes.
+
+ [12:9] See Chap. II and Bibliography, Pt. I, for these and his other works.
+
+ [12:10] Grimm _Cor. Lit._, Vol. II, p. 283.
+
+ [12:11] _Gazette de France_, Aug. 10, 1754.
+
+ [12:12] Jal, _Dict. Critique_, p. 685.
+
+ [13:13] His career is somewhat doubtful.  He travelled in Italy in 1779
+ and Abbé Galiani, an old friend of Holbach's, got a very agreeable
+ impression of him.  John Wilkes, in a letter to his daughter in 1781,
+ seems to imply that he had not turned out very well, and hopes that the
+ baron's second son will make good the deficiencies of the first.  In
+ 1806 he published a translation of Weiland's _Oberon_ or _Huon de
+ Bordeaux_ which went thru another edition in 1825, but those are the
+ only details that have come to light.
+
+ [13:14] Diderot, in writing to Mlle Volland Sep. 17, 1760 says: "On
+ nourrit, à Chenvières, les deux filles de Madame d'Holbach.  L'aînée
+ est belle comme un chérubin; c'est un visage rond, de grands yeux
+ bleus, des levres fines, une bouche riante, la peau la plus blanche
+ et la plus animée, des cheveux châtains qui ceignent un très joli
+ front.  La cadette est un peloton d'embonpoint où l'on ne distingue
+ encore que du blanc et du vermillon."
+
+ [13:15] Gazette de France, June 1, 1781.
+
+ [14:16] Holbach's intendant was [a] Jew, Berlise.  After his death several
+ of his old servants Vincent, David, and Plocque, contested Holbach's will,
+ in which they thought they were legatees.  The case was in the courts
+ for several years and was finally decided against them.  Douarche,
+ _Les tribunaux civil de Paris pendant la révolution_, Paris, 1905, Vol. I.,
+ pp. 141, 261, 325, 689.
+
+ [14:17] Avézac-Lavigne, _Diderot_, p. 5.
+
+ [15:18] _Critica_, Vol. I, p. 48, note.
+
+ [15:19] He met Voltaire in Paris in 1778, however, and Naigeon relates
+ that Voltaire greeted him very cordially and said that he had long
+ desired to make his acquaintance.
+
+ [15:20] Collignon, _Diderot_, p. 1.
+
+ [16:21] Avézac-Lavigne, _Diderot_, p. 75, note.
+
+ [16:22] Romilly, _Memoirs_, Vol. I, p. 179.
+
+ [16:23] Diderot, _Oeuvres_, Vol. I, p. lxvi, note.
+
+ [17:24] Journal de Paris, Dec. 2, 1789.
+
+ [17:25] See appendix, p. 73, p. 77.
+
+ [18:26] See appendix, p. 71.
+
+ [19:27] See appendix, p. 72.
+
+ [19:28] See p. 6 sq. and appendix pp. 75 sq.
+
+ [39:2] Barbier, _Dict._, Vol. I, p. 175 sq.
+
+ [40:3] Barbier, Vol. I, p. xxxiii, note.
+
+ [40:4] _Oeuvres_, Vol. XVIII, p. 265.
+
+ [44:5] _Oeuvres_, Vol. XIV, p. 352.
+
+ [47:7] Middleton's translation, preface.
+
+ [47:8] Cf. p. 94. [Bibliography Part I]
+
+ [54:1] Morley, _Diderot_, Vol. II, p. 155.
+
+ [55:2] Later _Bon-sens_ and _Théologie portative_ were doomed to the
+ flames by the condemnations of Jan. 10, 1774, and February 16, 1776.
+
+ [55:3] _Système de la Nature_, ed. 1771, Vol. II, p. 496.
+
+ [56:4] Grimm, _Cor. Lit._, Vol. IX, p. 167.
+
+ [56:5] Voltaire, _Oeuvres_, ed. Beuchot, Vol. LXVI, p. 404.  Subsequent
+ references to Voltaire are from this edition.
+
+ [56:6] Vol. LXVII, p. 265.
+
+ [56:7] Grimm, _Cor. Lit._, Vol. IX, p. 90.
+
+ [57:8] Vol. LXVI, p. 432.
+
+ [57:9] Vol. LXVI, p. 563.
+
+ [57:10] Vol. LXVI, p. 386.
+
+ [58:11] Vol. LXVI, p. 394.
+
+ [58:12] Vol. XXVIII, p. 493.
+
+ [58:13] Vol. LXVI, p. 469.
+
+ [58:14] Goethe, _Wahrheit und Dichtung_, 11th Book, Goethe's _Werke_,
+ Stuttgart, Vol. 19, p. 55.
+
+ Auf philosophische Weise erleuchtet und gefödert zu werden, hatten
+ wir keinen Trieb noch Hang: über religiöse Gegenstände glaubten wir
+ uns selbst aufgeklärt zu haben, und so war der heftige Streit
+ französischer Philosophen mit dem Pfafftum uns ziemlich gleichgültig.
+ Verbotene, zurn Feuer verdaminte Bücher, welche damals grossen Lärmen
+ machten, übten keine Wirkung auf uns.  Ich gedenke statt aller des
+ _Système de la Nature_, das wir aus Neugier in die Hand nahmen.  Wir
+ begriffen nicht, wie ein solches Buch gefährlich sein könnte.  Es kam
+ uns so grau, so cimmerisch, so totenhaft vor, das wir Mühe hatten,
+ seine Gegenwart auszuhalten, dass wir davor wie vor einern Gespenste
+ schauderten.  Der Verfasser glaubt sein Buch ganz eigens zu empfehlen,
+ wenn er in der Vorrede versichert, dass er, als ein abgelebter Greis,
+ soeben in die Grube stiegend, der Mit- und Nachwelt die Wahrheit verkünden
+ wolle.  Wir lachten ihn aus: denn wir glaubten bemerkt zu haben, dass
+ von alten Leuten eigentlich an der Welt nichts geschätzt werde, was
+ liebenswürdig und gut an ihr ist.  "Alte Kirchen haben dunkle Gläser"
+ "Wie Kirschen und Beeren schmecken, muss mann Kinder und Sperlinge
+ fragen"--dies waren unsere Lust und Leibworte: und so schien uns jenes
+ Buch, als die rechte Quintessenz der Greisenheit, unschmachhaft, ja
+ abgeschmackt Alles sollte notwendig sein und deswegen kein Gott.
+ "Könnte es denn aber nicht auch notwendig einen Gott geben?" fragten
+ wir.  Dabei gestanden wir freilich, das wir uns den Notwendigkeiten der
+ Tage und Nächte, der Jahrszeiten, der klirnatischen Einflusse, der
+ physichen und animalischen Zustände nicht wohl entziehen könnten: doch
+ fühlten wir etwas in uns, das als vollkommene Willkür erschien, und
+ wieder etwas, das sich mit dieser Willkür ins Gleichgewicht zu setzen
+ suchte.  Die Hoffnung, immer vernünftiger zu werden, uns von den aussern
+ Dingen, ja von uns selbst immer unabhängiger zu machen, konnten wir
+ nicht aufgeben.  Das Wort Freiheit klingt so schon, dass mann es nicht
+ entbehren könnte und wenn es einen Irrtum bezeichnete.
+
+ Keiner von uns hatte das Buch hinausgelesen; denn wir fanden uns in
+ der Erwartung getäuscht, in der wir es auf geschlagen hatten.
+ _System der Natur_ ward angekündigt und wir hofften also wirklich
+ etwas von der Natur, unsere Abgötten, zu erfahren.  Physik und Chemie,
+ Himmels- und Erdbeschriebung, Naturgeschichte und Anatomie und so
+ manches andere hatte nun zeit Jahren und bis auf den letzten Tag uns
+ immer auf die geschmüchte grosse Welt hingeweisen, und wir hatten gern
+ von Sonnen und Sternen, von Planeten und Monden, von Bergen, Thälern,
+ Flüssen und Meeren und von allem, was dann lebt und webt, das Nähere
+ sowie das Allgemeinere erfahren.  Das hierbei wohl manches vorkommen
+ müsste, was dem gemeinen Menschen als schädlich, der Geistlichkeit als
+ gefährlich, dem Staat als unzulässig erschienen möchte, daran hatten wir
+ keinen Zweifel, und wir hofften, dieses Büchlein sollte nicht unwürdig
+ die Feuerprobe bestauden haben.  Allein wie hohl und leer ward uns in
+ deiser tristen Atheistischen Halbnacht zu Mute, in welcher die Erde mit
+ allen ihren Gebilden, der Himmel mit allen seinen Gestirnen verschwand!
+ Eine Materie sollte sein von Ewigkeit und von Ewigkeit her bewegt, und
+ sollte nun mit dieser Bewegung rechts und links und nach allen Seiten
+ ohne weiteres die unendlichen Phänomene des Daseins hervorbringen.
+ Dies alles wären wir sogar zufrieden gewesen, wenn der Verfasser
+ wirklich aus seiner bewegten Materie die Welt vor unsern Augen
+ aufgebaut hätte.  Aber er mochte von der Natur so wenig wissen als wir;
+ denn indem er einige allgemeine Begriffe hingepfahlt, verlässt er sie
+ sogleich, um dasjenige, was höher als die Natur oder als höhere
+ Natur in der Natur erschient, zur materiellen schweren, zwar bewegten,
+ aber doch richtungs- und gestaltlosen Natur zu verwandeln, und glaubt
+ dadurch recht viel gewonnen zu haben.  Wenn uns jedoch dieses Buch
+ einigen Schaden gebracht hat, so war es der, das wir allen
+ Philosophie, besonderers aber der Metaphysick recht herzlich gram
+ wurden, und bleiben, dagegen aber auf lebendige Wissen, Erfahren,
+ Thun und Dichten uns nur desto lebhafter und leidenschaftlicher hinwarfen.
+
+ [64:15] Vol. II, p. 261, ed. 1820.
+
+
+
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHY--PART I.
+
+ EDITIONS OF HOLBACH'S WORKS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
+
+
+ As the works of Holbach are not yet cataloged in the Bibliothèque
+ Nationale, the following list is doubtless incomplete.  The numbers
+ given are those of the Bibliothèque Nationale and the British Museum
+ where the books were used, except in cases where they were available
+ in Boston, New York or Washington.
+
+
+ ABBREVIATIONS
+
+ B. N., Bibliothèque Nationale.
+ B. M., British Museum.
+ L. C., Library of Congress.
+ C. U., Columbia University.
+ H. U., Harvard University.
+ U. T. S., Union Theological Seminary.
+ G. T. S., General Theological Seminary.
+ A. T. S., Andover Theological Seminary.
+ N. Y., New York Public Library.
+ B. P., Boston Public Library.
+
+ Of about 120 editions consulted, C. U. had 13; U. T. S. 7; N. Y. 7;
+ H. U. 6; B. P. 5; L. C. 4; A. T. S. 3; G. T. S. I.  There are 20 or more
+ editions in existence that were not to be found in the library catalogs
+ consulted.
+
+ 1752.  Lettre à une dame d'un certain âge sur l'état présent de l'Opéra.
+ En Arcadie aux dépens de l'Académie Royale de Musique, (Paris, 8vo, pp. 11.)
+ B. M. 1103 b 21 (2).
+
+ 1752.  Arrêt rendu à l'amphithéâtre de l'Opéra, sur la plainte du
+ milieu du parterre intervenant dans la querelle des deux coins.
+ (Paris, 1752, 8vo, pp. 16.)
+ B. N. Yf 7726 (attributed to Diderot).
+
+ 1752.  Art de la Verrerie, De Neri, Merret et Kunckel; auquel on a
+ ajouté Le _Sol Sine Veste_ D'Orschall; _L'Helioscopium videndi sine
+ veste solem Chymicum_; Le _Sol Non Sine Veste_: Le Chapitre XI du
+ _Flora Saturnizans_ de Henckel, Sur la Vitrification des Végétaux;
+ Un Mémoire sur la manière de faire le Saffre; Le Secret des vraies
+ Porcelaines de la Chine et de Saxe; Ouvrages où l'on trouvera la
+ manière de faire le Verre et le Crystal, d'y porter des Couleurs,
+ d'imiter les Pierres Précieuses, de préparer et colorer les Emaux,
+ de faire la Potasse, de peindre sur le Verre, de préparer des Vernis,
+ de composer de Couvertes pour des Fayances et Poteries, d'extraire la
+ Couleur Pourpre de l'Or, de contrefaire les Rubis, de faire le Soffre,
+ de faire et peindre les Porcelaines, etc.  Traduits de l'Allemand Par
+ M. D... A Paris Durand, rue St. Jacques, au Griffon.  Pissot, Quai des
+ Augustins, à la Sagesse.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi (in quarto).
+  B. N. V. 11028.
+  C. U. A. n H 35 (Avery Library).
+
+ 1753.  Minéralogie, ou description générale des substances du règne
+ minéral.  Par Mr. Jean Gotshalk Wallerius, Professeur Royale de
+ Chymie, de Métallurgie et de Pharmacie dans l'Université d'Upsal,
+ de l'Académie Impériale des Curieux de la Nature.  Ouvrage traduit
+ de l'Allemand, A Paris, Chez Durand, rue S. Jacques, au Griffon.
+ Pissot, Quai de Conti, à la Croix d'Or, MDCCLII.  Avec Approbation
+ et Privilège du Roi (2 vols., 8vo, pp. xlvii + 569 + 284).  Followed
+ by (second title page) Hydrologie, ou description du règne aquatique,
+ divisés par classes, gendres, espèces et variétés, avec la manière de
+ faire l'essai des eaux (256 p.).
+  B. N., S. 1992 (2).
+  B. M. 987 h. 9-10.
+
+ --Ibid.  (Paris, Herissant, Durand, 1759, 2 vols., 8vo.) N. Y., P. W. D.
+  H. U. Geol. 7257-59.
+  B. M. 970 h.l.
+
+ 1756.  Introduction à la Minéralogie; ou connoissance des eaux, des
+ sucs terrestres, des sels, des terres, des pierres, des minéraux, et
+ des métaux: avec une description abrégée des opérations de métallurgie.
+ Ouvrage posthume de M. J. F. Henckel, publié sous le titre de _Henckelius
+ in Mineralogiâ redivivus_ et traduit de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Guillaume
+ Cavelier, Libraire, rue S. Jacques, au Lys d'Or.  MDCCLVI.  Avec Approbation
+ et Privilège du Roi.  (2 vols., 12vo, pp. lxxi + 204 + 371.)
+  B. N. 19930 (1).
+
+ 1758.  Chimie métallurgique, Dans laquelle on trouvera la Théorie et
+ la Pratique de cet Art.  Avec des Experiences sur la Densité
+ des Alliages des Métaux, et des demi-Métaux; et un Abrégé de
+ Docimastique.  Avec Figures.  Par M. C. E. Gellert, Conseiller
+ des Mines de Saxe et de l'Académie Imperiale de Petersbourg.
+ Ouvrages traduits de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Briasson, rue
+ Saint Jacques; Avec Approbation et Privelège.  (2 vols., 12mo,
+ pp. xii + 296 + xvii + 351.)
+  B. N., R. 37032 (3).
+
+ 1759.  Traités de physique, d'histoire naturelle, de minéralogie et de
+ métallurgie.  (Paris, 1759, 3 vols., 12mo.)  (General title.)
+  Tome I.  L'Art des Mines, ou Introduction aux connoissances
+ nécessaires pour l'exploitation des mines métalliques avec un traité
+ des exhalaisons minérales ou moufettes, et plusieurs mémoires sur
+ differens sujets d'Histoire Naturelle-Avec figures.  Par
+ M. Jean Gotlob Lehmann, Docteur en Médecine, Conseiller des
+ Mines de Sa Majesté Prussienne, de l'Académie Royale des
+ Sciences de Berlin et de celle des Sciences utiles de Mayence.
+ Traduit de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Jean Thomas Herrisant
+ MDCCLIX.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi.
+  Tome II.  Traité de la formation des métaux et de leurs
+ matrices ou minières, ouvrage fondé sur les principes de la
+ physique et de la minéralogie et confirmé par des expériences
+ chymiques.  Par M. J. G. Lehmann, etc.  Traduit de l'Allemand.
+  Tome III.  Essai d'une Histoire Naturelle des couches de la
+ terre.  Dans lequel on traite de leur formation, de leur situation,
+ des minéraux, des métaux et des fossiles qu'elles contiennent.
+ Avec des considerations physiques sur les causes des Tremblements
+ de Terre et de leur propagation.  Ouvrages traduits de l'Allemand,
+ et augmentés de Notes du Traducteur etc.
+  H. U., M, Z.
+  B. M. 990 c. 16-18.
+
+ 1759.  Les plaisirs de l'imagination, poème en trois chants, par
+ M. Akenside.  Traduit de l'anglais.  A Amsterdam, Arkstée et Merkus,
+ et se trouve à Paris chez Pissot, Quai de Conti MDCCLIX (8vo).
+  B. N. 2 ex. Yk 2362 et 2498.
+  B. M. 1162 f 20.
+
+ --Ibid.  Les plaisirs de l'imagination, poème en trois chants, Par
+ Akenside, traduit de l'Anglais par le baron d'Holbach, augmenté de
+ Notes historiques et littéraires, de la vie de l'auteur et du Traducteur,
+ par Pissot.  Paris, Hubert MDCCCVI (1806-18vo).
+  B. N. Yk 2363.
+  B. M. 1065 b 20 (2).
+
+ 1760.  Pyritologie, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Pyrite, ouvrage dans
+ lequel on examine l'origine, la nature, les propriétés et les usages
+ de ce Minéral important, et de la plupart des autres Substances du même
+ Règne: on y a joint le Flora Saturnisans où L'Auteur dèmontre l'Alliance
+ qui se trouve entre les Végétaux et les Minéraux; et les Orpuscules
+ Minéralogiques, Qui comprennent un Traité de l'Appropriation, un Traité
+ de L'Origine des Pierres, plusieurs Mémoires sur la Chymie et l'Histoire
+ Naturelle, avec un Traité des Maladies des Mineurs et des Fondeurs.
+ Par M. Jean-Frederic Henkel, Docteur en Médicine, Conseiller des Mines
+ du Roi de Pologne, Electeur de Saxe; de l'Académie Imperiale des Curieux
+ de la Nature et de celle de Berlin.  Ouvrages Traduit de l'Allemand [by
+ Baron d'Holbach and M., Charas] à Paris, Chez jean Thomas Hérissant,
+ Libraire, Rue S. Jacques, à S. Paul et à S. Hilaire. MDCCLX.  Avec
+ Approbation et Privilège du Roi.  (Paris, 1760, quarto, pp. xvi + 524.)
+  B. N. 5324.
+  B. M. 34 c 15.
+
+ 1760.  Oeuvres Métallurgiques de M. Jean-Christian Orschall, Inspecteur
+ des Mines de S. A. S. le Land-grave de Hesse-Cassel.  Contenant
+ I. L'Art de la Fonderie; II. Un Traité de la Siquation;
+ III.  Le Traité de la Macération des Mines; IV. Le Traité
+ des Trois Merveilles; (Traduit de l'Allemand) Le prix est de 50
+ sols broché et de 3 liv. relié. A Paris, Chez Hardy, Libraire, rue
+ S. Jacques au dessus de celle de la Parcheminerie à la Colonne
+ d'Or.  MDCCLX.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi.
+ (12mo, pp. + 394.)
+  B. N., S 19,992.
+
+ 1764.  Recueil des mémoires les plus intéressants de chymie, et d'histoire
+ naturelle, contenus dans les actes de l'Académie d'Upsal, et dans les
+ Mémoires de l'Académie Royale des Sciences de Stockholm; Publiés depuis
+ 1720 jusqu'en 1760.  Traduits du Latin et de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez
+ Pierre-Fr. Didot, le jeune, Quai des Augustins, à S. Augustin.  MDCCLXIV.
+ Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi. (2 vols., 12mo, pp. viii + 687.)
+  B. N. R 15483 (4).
+
+ 1765.  Histoire du règne de la Reine Anne d'Angleterre, contenant Les
+ Négociations de la paix d'Utrecht, et les démêlés qu'elle occasionna
+ en Angleterre.  Ouvrage posthume du Docteur Jonathan Swift.  Doyen de
+ S. Patrice en Irelande: Publié sur un Manuscrit corrigé de la propre
+ main de l'Auteur, et traduit de l'Anglais par M... [d'Holbach and Eidous].
+ A Amsterdam, Chez Marc-Michel Rey, et Arkstée et Merkus. MDCCLXV.
+ (12mo, pp. xxiv + 416.)
+  B. N. 8vo Nc 1718.
+
+ 1766.  Traité du Soufre, ou Remarques sur la dispute qui s'est élevée
+ entre les chymistes, au sujet du Soufre, tant commun, combustible
+ ou volatil, que fixe, etc.  Traduit de l'Allemand de Stahl.
+ A Paris, Chez Pierre-Francois Didot, le jeune.  Quai de
+ Augustins à Saint-Augustin.  MDCCLXVI.  Avec Approbation
+ et Privilège du Roi.  (12mo, pp. 392.)
+  B. N., R 51709.
+  B. M. 233 b 15.
+
+ 1766.  L'Antiquité dévoilée par ses usages, ou Examen critique des
+ principales Opinions, Cérémonies et Institutions réligieuses et
+ politiques des différens Peuples de la Terre.  Par feu M., Boulanger.
+ Homo, quod rationis est particeps, consequentiam cernit causas rerum
+ videt, earumque progressus et quasi antecessiones non ignorat,
+ similitudines compare, rebus praesentibus adjungit at anectit futuras.
+ --Cicero, De Offic. Lib. I. C. 4.
+ A Amsterdam, Chez Marc-Michel Rey, MDCCLXVI. (Quarto pp. viii + 412.)
+  B. N., E 690.
+  C. U., A P. B 66 (Avery Library).
+
+ --Ibid.  (1766, 3 vols., 12mo.)
+  B. N. *E 2446-2448.
+
+ --Ibid.  (1772, 3 Vols., (12mo.)
+  B. N. *E 2445 (VIII).
+  B. M. 4506 a 1.
+
+ --Ibid.  (Amsterdam, 1777, 3 vols., 12mo, pp. lx + 355 + 391 + 396.)
+  B. M. 696 b 35.
+
+ --Ibid.  In Oeuvres de Boulanger T. I-IV En Suisse.
+ De l'Imprimerie Philosophique MDCCXCI. (4 vols., (12mo.)
+  B. N., Z 24316-24319.
+
+ --Ibid.  In _Oeuvres de Boulanger_ T. I-II Amsterdam.
+ (Paris, 2 vols., 8vo.) (Quérard.)
+
+ 1767.  Le Christianisme dévoilé, ou Examen des principes et des effets
+ de la religion Chrétienne.  Par feu M. Boulanger.  Superstitio error
+ infanus est, amandos timet, quos colit violat; quid enim interest,
+ utrum Deos neges, an infames?  Senec. Ep. 12.
+ A Londres, MDCCLVI (Nancy, Leclerc, 1761, 8vo, pp. xxviii + 295).
+  B. N., D2 5305.
+  B. M. 4016 bb 6.
+  B. M., C 2863 (another copy with MS. notes by Voltaire).
+
+ --Ibid.  (Londres, 1767, 8vo, pp. xx + 236.)  Printed at John Wilkes'
+ private press in George St. Westminster, according to MS. note in
+ title page.
+  B. M. 4017 de. 13.
+
+ --Ibid.  (Londres, 1767, 8vo, pp. 244.)
+  A. T. S. 6 11.
+
+ --Ibid.  (A Paris, Chez les Libraires Associés, 1767, 8vo,
+ pp. xvii + 218.)
+  B. N., D2 8364.
+
+ --Ibid.  (Londres [Amsterdam], 1767, 12mo.)
+  B. M. 696 b 34
+
+ --Ibid.  Oeuvres de Boulanger T. VII.  (En Suisse de l'Imprimerie
+ philosophique, 1791, 12mo.)
+  B. N., Z 23421.
+
+ --Ibid.  Oeuvres de Boulanger T. V, 1793.
+
+ --Christianity Unveiled; being an examination of the principles and
+ effects of the Christian Religion, from the French of Boulanger,
+ Author of _Researches into the Origin of Oriental Despotism_, by
+ W. M. Johnson. New York, 1795, printed at the Columbian Press by
+ Robertson and Gowan for the editor and sold by the principal book
+ sellers in the United States. (12mo, pp. ix + 238.)
+  B. M. 4017 de 4.
+  B. M. 900 i. 1, (7) another copy with MS. Notes.
+  B. P.... 7490 a 22.
+
+ --Ibid.  London, printed and published by R. Carlile, 55 Fleet St.
+ 1819 (8vo, pp. 98.)
+  B. M. 4016 d. 13.
+
+ --Ibid.  The Deist, etc. Vol. II, published by R. Carlile, 1819.
+ (8vo, pp. vii + 125.)
+  B. M. 4015 f 11.
+
+ --El Cristianismo a descurbierto, ó examen de los principios y efectos
+ de la religion cristiana.  Escrito en Francés por Boulanger y traducido
+ al castellano por S. D. V.... Londres en la emprenta de Davidson, 1821.
+ (12mo, pp. xxvi + 246.)
+  B. M. 4016 df 6.
+
+ 1767.  L'Esprit du clergé, ou Le Christianisme primitif vengé des
+ entreprises et des excès de nos Prêtres modernes.  Traduit de
+ l'Anglois à Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVII (2 vols. 8vo,
+ pp. 2 + 10 + 240).
+  B. M. pp. 54.
+
+ 1767.  De l'imposture sacerdotale, ou Recueil de Pièces sur le Clergé.
+ Traduites de l'Anglois. Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVII.
+ (12mo, pp. 144.)
+  B. N., D2 8368 (7).
+
+  Contains, Tableau fidèle des papes.  _Traduit d'une Brochure
+  Anglaise_ de M. Davisson, Publie sous le titre de _a true picture
+  of Popery_, pp. 1-35.
+
+  De l'insolence pontificale, ou des Prétentions ridicules du
+  Pape et des Flatteurs de la Cour de Rome.  _Extrait de la
+  Profession de Foi du célèbre Giannone_, par. M. Davisson, pp. 36-54.
+
+  Sermon.  Sur les fourberies et les impostures du Clergé
+  Romain, _Traduit de l'Anglois sur une Brochure publiée à
+  Londres en 1735_ par M. Bourn Birmingham, Sous le titre de
+  _Popery a Craft_, pp. 55-84.
+
+  Le Prêtrianisme opposé au Christianisme.  Ou la Religion
+  des Prêtres comparée à celle de Jésus-Christ, ou examen de la
+  différence qui se trouve entre les Apôtres et les Membres du
+  Clergé moderne.  _Publié en Anglois en 1720 sous le titre de_
+  Priestanity.  Or a View of the disparity between the Apostles
+  and the Modern Clergy, pp. 85-108.
+
+  Des Dangers de l'Eglise, _Traduit de Anglois sur une Brochure
+  Publiée eu 1719_.  Par M., Thomas Gordon, Sous le titre
+  d'_Apology for the danger of the Church_, etc., pp. 109-128.
+
+  Le Simbole d'un Laïque, ou Profession de Foi d'un homme
+  désintéressé.  Traduit de l'Anglois de M. Gordon, Sur une
+  brochure publiée en 1720.  Sous le titre de _the creed of an
+  independent Whig_, pp. 129-144.
+
+ --Ibid.  Published under title De La Monstruosité pontificale, ou
+ Tableau fidèle des Papes.  _Traduit de l'Anglois_ Londres
+ MDCCLXXII.  (16vo, pp. 55.)
+  B. N., H. 19859.
+
+ 1768.  Examen des Prophéties qui servent de fondement à la religion
+ chrétienne, avec un Essai de critique sur les Prophètes et les
+ Prophéties en général.  Ouvrages traduits de l'Anglois.
+ Londres MDCCLXVIII.  (8vo, pp. 234.)
+  B. N., D2 5190.
+  B. M. 4017 de 18.
+
+ Contains, Discours sur les fondements de la religion chrétienne, pp. 1-111.
+
+ Extrait De l'Ouvrage qui a pour titre: Examen du Septème de ceux
+ qui prétendent que les Prophéties se sont accomplies à la lettre.
+ The Scheme of literal Prophecy considered, etc., 1727. (8vo, pp. 118-234.)
+
+ 1768.  David, ou l'Histoire de l'homme selon le coeur de Dieu, ouvrage
+ traduit de l'Anglois.  Saül, et David, tragédie en 5 actes d'après
+ l'Anglois.... (Londres, 1768, 8vo.)
+  B. N. 3 ex. LD2 5194, Hz 1542, et Rès Z. Beuchot 798 (2).
+  B. M. 4014 a 67 (1).
+
+ 1768.  Les Prêtres démasqués, ou des iniquités du clergé chrétien.
+ Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.  Londres.  MDCCLXVIII.
+ (16vo, pp. 180.)
+  B. N., D2 4639.
+  B. M. 4017 de 29.
+
+ 1768.  Lettres philosophiques, sur l'origine des Préjugés, du Dogme de
+ l'Immortalité de l'Ame, de l'Idolâtrie et de la Superstition; sur
+ le Système de Spinoza et sur l'origine du mouvement dans la
+ matière.  Traduites de l'Anglois de J. Toland.
+
+  Opinionum commenta delet dies, naturae judicia confirmat.
+  Cicero, de Nat. Deor. lib. II.  A Londres (Amsterdam). 1768.
+  MDCCLXVIII. (8vo, pp. 267.)
+   B. N., D2 5203.
+   B. M. 4015 de 48.
+
+  Containing, Préface ou Lettre à un ami, en lui envoyant les
+  Dissertations suivantes, dans laquelle l'Auteur rend compte des
+  motifs qui les ont fait écrire. (pp. 12-26.)
+
+  Première Lettre.  De L'origine et de la Force de ces Préjugés.
+  (pp. 27-44.)
+
+  Seconde Lettre.  Histoire du dogme de l'Immortalité de
+  l'Ame Chez les Payens. (pp. 45-93.)
+
+  Troisième Lettre.  Sur l'origine de l'Idolâtrie et sur les
+  fondements de la Religion Payenne. (pp. 94-152.)
+
+  Quartrième Lettre.  A un Gentilhomme Hollandois pour lui
+  prouver que le système de Spinoza est dépourvu de fondements
+  et pèche dans ses principes. (pp. 154-186.)
+
+  Cinquième Lettre.  Dans laquelle on prouve que le mouvement
+  est essentiel à la Matière; en réponse à quelques remarques
+  qui ont été faites à l'Auteur au sujet de sa réfutation du
+  Système de Spinoza.
+
+  Nunc quae mobilitas fit reddita Materiaë Corporibus paucis
+  licet hinc cognoscere, Memmi.  Lucret., lib. II, vers 142.
+  (pp. 187-267.)
+
+ 1768.  Théologie portative, ou Dictionnaire Abrégé de la Religion
+ Chrétienne.  Par Mr. l'Abbé Bernier, Licencié en Théologie.
+
+ Audite hoc Sacerdotes, et attendite Domus Israël, et Domus
+ Regis auscultate; quia vobis Judicium est, quoniam Laquens
+ facti estis Speculationi et rete expansum super Thabor. Osée,
+ Chap. V, Vers. I.  Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXVIII (1767),
+ (12mo, pp. 243).
+  B. N., D2 14334.
+  B. M. 703 a 25.
+
+ --Ibid. Londres (Suisse), 1768.
+
+ --Ibid.  A Rome, MDCCLXXV (8vo, pp. 213).
+  B. N., D2 8370.
+
+ --Ibid.  Augmentée d'un Volume.  A Rome, avec permission et privilège
+ du Conclave.  (2 vols., 12mo (1776).)
+  B. N., D2 8371.
+
+ --Ibid.  Under title.  Manuel Théologique, en form de Dictionnaire.
+ Ouvrage très utile aux personnes des deux sexes pour le salut de leurs
+ âmes, par l'abbé Bernier etc.  Rome, 1785 Au Vatican de l'Imprimerie du
+ Conclave. (2 vols., 8vo.)
+
+ --Ibid.  1802.
+
+ 1768.  Le Militaire philosophe, ou Difficultés sur la Religion,
+ proposées au R. P. Malebranche, Prêtre de l'Oratoire.  Par un ancien
+ Officier.  Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVIII.  (8vo, pp. 193.)
+  C. U. 201 N 14.
+
+ --Ibid.  1770 (8vo).
+  B. M. 4015 bb 32.
+
+ --Ibid.  1776 (8vo).
+  B. M. 4015 de 34.
+  (Last chapter by d'Holbach.)
+
+ 1768.  La Contagion sacrée, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Superstition.
+ Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.  _Prima mali labes_.  Londres
+ (Amsterdam), MDCCLXVII. (2 vols. in 1, 8vo.)
+  B. N., D2 5195.
+  C. U. 194 H 69 P.
+
+ --Ibid.  Avec des notes relatives aux Circonstances.  Nouvelle
+ Edition.  A Paris, de l'Imprimerie de Lemaire, rue d'Enfer no. 141,
+ An 5 de la Republique (1797).  (2 vols. in 1, 8vo, pp. 179-190.)
+  U. T. S. 441
+  B. H. 723 C.
+
+ --El Contagion sagrado, ó Historia natural de la supersticion.
+ Paris, Rodriguez, 1822.  (2 vols., 8vo.)  (Quérard.)
+
+ 1768.  Lettres à Eugénia, ou Préservatif contre les préjugés... arctis
+ Relligionum animos nodis exsolvere pergo.--Lucret. de rer. nat., Lib. 4,
+ v. 6-7.  A Londres, MDCCLXVIII. (2 vols., 8vo, pp. xii + 188 + 167)
+
+ --Ibid.  Oeuvres de Nicolas Fréret, T. I, pp. 1-359. Paris, 1792.  (8vo.)
+  H. U. 19-30, vol. I.
+
+ --Cartas á Eugenia, por Mr. Freret.  Paris.  Imprenta de F. Didot,
+ 1810 (8vo, pp. viii + 358).
+  B. M. 4015 de 23.
+
+ --Letters to Eugenia on the absurd, contradictory and demoralizing
+ Dogmas and Mysteries of the Christian Religion.  Now first translated
+ from the French of Fréret, but supposed to be written by Baron Holbach,
+ author of the System of Nature, Christianity Unveiled, Common Sense,
+ Universal Morality, Natural Morality.  R. Carlile, The Deist, etc.,
+ Vol. II, 1819, etc.  (8vo, pp. 185.)
+  B. M. 4015 f. 11.
+
+ --Cartas à Eugenia.  Madrid, 1823, por Don Benito Cano.  2v.
+  N. Y., Z F F.
+
+ --Letters to Eugenia on the absurd, contradictory and demoralizing
+ Dogmas and Mysteries of the Christian Religion, by Baron d'Holbach,
+ New York, published by H. M. Dubecquet, No. 190
+ William Street, 1833.  (12vo, pp. 236.)
+  U. T. S. 326 B.
+
+ --Letters to Eugenia etc., translated by Anthony C. Middleton,
+ M.D. Boston, Josiah P. Mendum, 1857.
+  B. P. 5484 2.
+
+ 1769.  De la Cruauté religieuse.  A Londres, MDCCLXIX. (16vo, pp. 228.)
+  B. N., D2 8365.
+  B. M. 4017 aa 25.
+  U. T. S. H 723.
+
+ --Ibid.  Amsterdam, 1775, 12vo.
+
+ 1769.  Le la Tolérance dans la Religion, ou de la Liberté de conscience
+ par Crellius.  L'Intolérance convaincue de crime et de folie.
+ Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois, Londres, MDCCLXIX.  (12vo, pp. 174.)
+
+  Contains De la Tolérance dans la religion, ou de la liberté de
+  conscience (Crellius).
+
+  De l'Intolérance dans la Religion (d'Holbach), p. 88.
+
+  Enfer détruit ou Examen Raisonné du Dogme de l'Eternité
+  des peines.  Ouvrages, tr. de L'Anglois à Londres, MDCCLXIX, p. 1.
+
+  Dissertation critique sur les tourmens de l'enfer.  Traduit de
+  L'Anglois, p. 96 (by Whitefoot).
+   B. N., D2 5154.
+
+ --Ibid.  Hell destroyed!  Now first translated from the French of
+ d'Alembert without any mutilations.  London.  Printed and published
+ by J. W. Trust, 126 Newgate St., 1823. (8vo, pp. 47.)
+ (Followed by Whitefoot's Torments of Hell, "now first translated
+ from the French," to p. 83.)
+
+ 1770.  L'Esprit du judaïsme, ou Examen raisonné de la Loi de Moyse,
+ et de son influence sur la Religion Chrétienne.
+  Atque utinam nunquam Judaea sub acta fuisset Pompeii
+  bellis, imperioque Titi.
+  Latius excisae pestes contagie serpunt, Victoresques suos
+  natio victa premit.  Rutilius, Itinerar.  Lia I, vs. 394, Londres,
+  MDCCLXX. (12mo, pp. xxii + 201.)
+   B. N., D2 5191.
+   B. M. 4034 bb 38.
+
+ 1770.  Examen critique de la vie et des ouvrages de saint Paul, Avec
+ une dissertation sur saint Pierre par feu M. Boulanger.
+ Londres, 1770 (8vo), (by Peter Annet).
+  B. N. 3ex. [D2 5349 (2) 8367 et H. 7551].
+  B. M. 48o8 aa 7.
+
+ --Ibid.  Nouvelle Edition, Londres, 1790. (8vo.)
+  B. N. [H 13032].
+
+ --Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul.  Translated from
+ the French of Boulanger.  "Paul, thou art beside thyself, much
+ learning doth make thee mad."  Acts, chap, 26, v 24.  London.
+ Printed and published by R. Carlile, 5 Water Lane, Fleet St.,
+ 1823.  (8vo, pp. 72.)
+  B. M. 4372 h g (4).
+
+ 1770.  Histoire critique de Jésus-Christ, ou Analyse raisonnée
+ des Evangiles.  Ecce Homo.
+ Pudet me humani generis, cuius mentis et aures talia ferre
+ potuerunt.  S. Augustin. (No date [Amsterdam, 1770?], 16mo,
+ pp. viii + xxxii + 298.)
+  B. N, 7,549.
+  B. M. 4017 a. 45.
+  U. T. S. 465 H 723.
+
+ --Ecce Homo! or a critical enquiry into the history of Jesus Christ,
+ being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels.  Edinburg, 1799.
+
+ --Ecce Homo! or a critical enquiry into the history of Jesus Christ,
+ being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels.  (2d ed.) London, 1813.
+ Printed, published and sold by D. I. Easton.
+  G. T. S. 232 G. H. 69.
+
+ --Historia critica de Jesus Christo, o anáilisis razonado le los
+ evangelios.  Traducida del Frances, por el P. F. de T, ex-jesuita.
+ Ecce Homo.  Vel. aqui el hombre.  S. Juan, cap. 19,
+
+ v. 5. Londres, en la imprenta de Davidson, 1822.  (2 vols., 12mo,
+ pp. xiii + 200 + 280.)
+
+ Contains Advertencia del Traductor.
+
+ 1770.  Tableau des Saints, ou examen de l'esprit, de la conduite, des
+ maximes, et du mérite des personnages que le Christianisme révère et
+ propose pour modèles.
+ Hoc admonere simplices etiam potest,
+ Opinione alterius ne quid ponderent;
+ Ambitio namque diffidens mortalium
+ Aut gratiae subscribunt, aut odio suo;
+ Erit ille nottis, quem per te cognoveris.
+ Phaed., Lib. III, Fab. 10.
+
+ A Londres, MDCCLXX.  (2 Vols., 12mo, pp. xxviii + 280 + 286.)
+  B. N., H 7,552.
+  B. M. 4,824 a a a a 27.
+
+ 1770.  Recueil philosophique, ou Mélange de Pièces sur la Religion et
+ la Morale.  Par différents Auteurs (ed. Naigeon).
+
+ Ovando enim ista observans quieto et libero animo esse poteris,
+ ut ad vem gerendam non Superstionem habeas, sed Rationem ducem.
+ --Cicero, de Divinat., Lib. 2.  Londres, MDCCLXX.  (2 vols., 12mo.)
+  B. N., D2 5309.
+
+  Vol. I, p. 129 (VI), Réflexions sur les Craintes de la Mort.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 34 (IX), Dissertation sur l'Immortalité de l'âme.
+  Traduite de l'Anglais.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 50 (X), Dissertation sur le suicide.  Traduit de l'Anglais.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 70 (XI).  Problème important.  La Religion est
+  elle nécessaire à la Morale et utile à la Politique?  Par M.
+  Mirabaud.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 125 (XIII).  Extrait d'un Ecrit Anglais qui a pour
+  titre _le christianisme aussi ancien que le monde_.
+
+ 1770.  Essai sur les préjugés, ou, De l'influence des opinions sur les
+ moeurs et sur le bonheur des hommes.  Ouvrage contenant l'apologie
+ de la philosophie par Mr. D. M.
+
+ Assiduite quotidiana et consuetudine oculorum assuescunt animi,
+ neque admirantur, neque requerunt rationes earum rerum quas vident.
+ --Cicero de Nat. Deorum, Lib. II.  Londres, MDCCLXX. (8vo, pp. 394.)
+  B. N., R 20 553.
+  B. M. 8463 b b b 16.
+  H. U. Phil. 264840.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris Desray an 1 (1792).  (2 vols., 8vo, Cortina.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Oeuvres de Dumarsais. Paris, Pougin, 1797.  T. VI
+ 8vo, pp. 43-352.
+  B. N., Z 23766-72.
+  H. U. 9578 13 VI.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, Niogret, 1822.
+  C. U. 3045 D 89.
+
+ --Essayo sobre las preocupaciones ó del influjo de las opiniones
+ en las costumbres y felicidad de las hombres.  Por Dumarsais.
+ En Paris.  Hallase en la casa de Rosa, Librero.  Gran pacio del
+ Palacio Real.  1823.  (8vo, pp. 391.)
+  B. N., R 34,366.
+
+ --(Bibliothèque Nationale. Collection des meilleurs auteurs
+ anciens et modernes.)  Dumarsais.  Essai sur les Préjugés.
+ Précédé d'un Discours préliminaire et d'un Précis historique de
+ la vie de Dumarsais par le citoyen Daube.  Paris.  Librairie de
+ la Bibliothèque Nationale.  Rue de Richelieu 8, Près le
+ Théâtre Francais. Ci-devant rue de Valois 1886.  Tous droits
+ resérvés (25 centimes).
+  B. N. 8vo R. 15952.
+
+ 1770.  Système de la Nature, ou Des Loix du Monde Physique et du
+ Monde Moral. Par M. Mirabaud, Secrétaire Perpétuel et l'un
+ des Quarante de l'Académie Française.
+
+ Natura rerum vis atque majestas in omnibus momentis fide
+ caret, si quis modè partes ejus, ac non totam complectatur
+ animo.--Plin. Hist., Lib. VII. Londres, MDCCLXX.
+ (2 vols., 8vo, pp. 370 + 412.)
+  B. M. 4017 f 32
+  U. T. S. 321 H 7235.
+
+ --Ibid, Londres, MDCCLXX. (Second edition, 2 Vols., in 8vo,
+ pp. 366 + 408.)
+  B. M., D2 5166-5167.
+ Contains Discours préliminaire de l'Auteur (pp. 16).  Avis de
+ l'Editeur. Préface de l'Auteur, etc.
+
+ --Abrégé du Code de la Nature, par M., Mirabaud, Secrétaire
+ Perpétuel et l'un des Quarante de l'Académe Française.
+ Londres. MDCCLXX. (8vo, 16 p.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition augmentée par l'auteur à laquelle on a
+ joint plusieurs pièces des meilleurs Auteurs relatives aux
+ mêmes objets, etc.  (Ed. Naigeon.)  Londres, MDCCLXXI.
+ (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. 397-500.)
+
+ Contains Vol. II, p. 455, Réquisitoire, sur lequel est intervenu
+ l'Arrêt du Parlement du 18 Août 1770 qui condamne à
+ être brûlés, differens Livres ou Brochures, intitulés.
+
+ 1. La Contagion sacrée...
+ 2. Dieu et les hommes.
+ 3. Discours sur les Miracles.
+ 4. Examen des Apologistes.
+ 5. Examen impartial des principales religions du Monde.
+ 6. Christianisme dévoilé.
+ 7. Système de la Nature.
+ Imprimé par ordre exprès du Roi.
+  B. M., D2 5168.
+ Reprinted in 1774, 1775-1777.
+
+ --Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition.  Londres,  1780, 8vo, pp. xii + 371 + 464.
+
+ Contains _Sentiments de Voltaire sur le Système de la Nature_.
+ Séguier's _Réquisitoire_ and Holbach's _Réplique_.
+  B. M. 528 1. 2526.
+
+ --Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition. Londres, 1781. (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. 316 + 385.)
+  B. N., D2 516g.
+
+ --Ibid.  German Translation, Schreiter.  Leipzig and Frankfort, 1783.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, An. III (1795).  (3 vols. in 8vo.)
+
+ --The System of Nature.  Translated from the French of M. Mirabeau.
+ London, 1797.  Printed for G. Kearsley.
+  L. of C. B 2053-S G E-12 11-15959.
+
+ --Ibid.  Philadelphia, 1808.  Pub. by R. Benson.
+  L. of C., B 2053-S G 3 E 13-11-1595 G.
+
+ --Nature and Her Laws, as Applicable to the Happiness of Man Living
+ in Society, Contrasted with Superstitions and Imaginary Systems.
+ Done from the French of M. Mirabaud.  London in 1816.  W. Hodgson.
+  C. U. 194 H 69 S.
+  L. of C., B 2053 S g 3 E 14-11.15960
+
+ --Système de la Nature,... Avec notes de Diderot.  Nouvelle édition.
+ Ed. Lemonnier, Paris, 1820.  B. Roquefort.  (2 vols. in 8vo.)
+
+ --The System of Nature, or the Laws of the Moral and Physical World.
+ Translated by Samuel Wilkinson from the original French of M. Mirabaud.
+ Printed and published by Thomas Davison. (Vols. 2, 3, R. Helder, 1821.)
+ London, 1820.
+ 3 vols in 8vo, pp. xi + 348-311-273.)  Contains Life of Mirabaud,
+ Vol. 3, pp. 263-273.
+  B. M. 804. de 20?
+  U. S. 321. H 723.
+
+ --Système de la Nature... par le Baron d'Holbach.
+ Nouvelle Edition avec des notes et des corrections par Diderot.
+ Paris, Etienne Ledoux, 1821.  (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. xvi + 507 +502.)
+  B. N., D2 5170.
+  B. M. 124 9 i. 26.
+  C. U, 194 H 69. R.
+  N. Y., Y C O.
+ Contains extract of Grimm's Literary Correspondence, Aug. 10, 1789.
+
+ --Système de la Nature, ou des lois du monde physique et du monde
+ morale, par le Baron d'Holbach.  Nouvelle Édition avec des notes et
+ des corrections par Diderot etc.  Paris, Domère, 1822. (4 vols. in 12mo.)
+ Contains Avis de Naigion.  Avertissement du nouvel éditeur, pp. 11-29.
+ Pièces diverses, pp. 30-46.
+
+ --Sistema de la Naturaleza, con notas y correcciones por Diderot;
+ trad, al castell. por F. A. F....  Paris, Masson hijo, 1822,
+ 4 vols. in 18mo.
+  B. N., D2 5172.
+
+ --Selections from Mirabaud's System of Nature in the Law of Reason, etc.
+ London, 1831.  (16mo, pp. 231.)
+ Selections from Bon-Sens, pp. 39-81, 82-112.
+  B. M. 1387. b. 3.
+
+ --Nature and her Laws, as Applicable to the Happiness of Man Living
+ in Society, Contrasted with Superstitions and Imaginary Systems.
+ From the French of M. de Mirabaud.  James Watson.  London, 1834.
+ (2 vols. in 12mo, pp. xxiv + 287 + 320.)
+ Sold for 7 s. 6 d.
+  B. M. 1133 b 29.
+ Contains
+ 1. Publisher's Preface (by James Watson).
+ 2. Preface.
+ 3. A short account of the life and writings of the Baron d'Holbach
+ (by Julian Hibbert).
+
+ --System of Nature, new and improved edition with notes by Diderot.
+ Translated by H. D. Robinson.  New York, 1835, published by Matsell.
+  N. Y., Y B X.
+
+ --System of Nature, or the laws of the moral and physical world,
+ from the French of M. Mirabaud.  (New edition, pp. 8 + 520.)
+ London, 1840.
+  C. U. 194 H 69. R 1.
+
+ --System der Natur von Mirabaud. Deutsch bearbeitet und mit Anmerkungen
+ versehen von Biedermann.  Leipzig, 1841.
+ (8vo, pp. 604.) Georg. Wigands Verlag.
+  T. S. (Andover 23).
+
+ --System der Natur....  Translated by Schreiter, 1843.
+
+ --System of Nature, new and improved edition with notes by Diderot,
+ translated by H. D. Robinson.  Stereotype edition, Boston, 1848,
+ in 8vo.  Published by J. P. Mendum.
+  B. P. 00.80-6105.5.
+
+ --System der Natur..., tr. Allhusen, 1851.
+
+ --System of Nature..., tr. Robinson, Boston. 1853. Published by
+ J. P. Mendum.
+  B. P. 3600.48.
+  N. Y., Y C O 11-15957/
+  L. of C., B. 2053. S g 3 E 6.
+
+ --The System of Nature; or, The Laws of the Moral and Physical World,
+ by the baron d'Holbach, originally attributed to M. de Mirabaud with
+ memoir by Charles Bradlaugh.  Reprinted verbatim from the best edition.
+ London.  Published by E. Truelove, 256 High Holborn, 1884. In 8vo,
+ pp. xi + 520.
+  B. M. 8467 a a 33.
+
+ 1772.  Le Bon-sens ou idées naturelles opposées aux idées surnaturelles.
+    Detexit quo doloso vaticinandi furore Sacerdotes
+    mysteria, illis saepe ignota, audacter publicant.
+    --Petronii Satyricon.
+ Londres (Amsterdam) 1772, 8vo, pp. xii - 515.
+  U. T. S. 321 H. 7236.
+
+ --Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier d'Etrépigny.  Rome
+ (Paris), 1791, 8vo.
+
+ --Ibid.  Another edition, 1772, 8vo, pp. x-250.
+
+ --Ibid. Londres (Amsterdam), 1774, 16mo, pp. xii-302.
+  U. T. S. 321 H. 7236.
+
+ --Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé Meslier d'Etrépigny.  Rome
+ (Paris), 1791, 8vo.
+
+ --Ibid.  Nouvelle édition, suivi du Testament du curé Meslier.
+ Paris, Bouqueton, l'an I de la République.  (1792, 2 vols., 12mo.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier suivi de son Testament.
+ Paris, 1802, 8vo, pp. 380.
+  C. U. 843 M 56 D 1.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, Palais des Thermes de Julien, 1802 (1822), 12mo.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1830, 12mo.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1831, 12mo.
+
+ --Common Sense, H. D. Robinson, New York, circa 1833.
+
+ --Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier, etc.  Paris, Bacquenois, 1833, 12mo.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1834, 12mo.
+
+ --Ibid.  Nancy, Haener, 1834, 12mo.
+
+ --Der gesunde Menschenverstand.  Baltimore, 1857.
+
+ --Ibid.  Baltimore, 1859 (second edition), H. U.
+
+ --Ibid.  Tr. into German by Miss Anna Knoop. circa 1878.
+
+ --Ibid., under title, Superstition in all ages; by Jean Meslier...
+ who left to the world the following pages entitled _Common Sense_.
+ Translated from the French original by Miss Anna Knoop, New York, 1878.
+  C. U. L. 211 M.
+
+ --Ibid.  New York, Peter Eckler, 1890, pp. vi-339.
+  U. T. S.
+
+ --Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier, Paris, Palais des Thermes de
+ Julien, 1802.  (Garnier Frères, 1905.)
+  H. U.
+
+ --Superstition in all ages, etc.  Translated from the French original
+ by Miss Anna Knoop; arranged for publication in its present form and
+ manner with new title-page and preface by Dr. L. W. deLaurence.  Same
+ to now serve as "text-book" number five for "the congress of ancient,
+ divine, mental and Christian masters," Chicago, Ill., DeLaurence,
+ Scott & Co., 1910, pp. xx-17-339.
+  L. of C. 1910, A 26880.  L. W. de Laurence.
+
+ 1772.  De la nature humaine, ou Exposition des facultés, des actions
+ et des passions de l'âme, et de leurs causes, déduites d'après des
+ principes philosophiques qui ne sont communément ni reçus ni connus.
+ Par Thomas Hobbes; Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.
+ Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXXII. (8vo, pp. iv + 171.)
+  B. M. 8403 c c 15.
+  (Bookmark of Richard Chase Sidney.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Oeuvres philosophiques et politiques de Thomas Hobbes.
+ 1787. (2 vols., 8vo.)  (Tr. by Sorbière and Holbach.)
+  B. M. 528 2223.
+
+ 1773.  Recherches sur les Miracles.  Par l'auteur de l'Examen des
+ Apologistes de la Religion Chrétienne.  A Genus attonitum.
+ Ovid.  Metam.  Londres, MDCCLXXIII.  (8vo. pp. 172.)
+  B. M. 4015 de 44.
+
+ 1773.  La politique naturelle, ou, Discours sur les vrais principes du
+ Governement.  Par un ancien Magistrat.
+ Vis consili expers mole ruit suâ. --Horat., Ode IV, lib. III, vers. 65
+ Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXXIII. (2 vols. in 8vo.
+ pp. vii + 232 + 280.)
+  B. M. 521 h. 8.
+  U. S. 269 E. H. 723 (ex libris Baron Carl de Vinck, Ministre de Belgique).
+  C. U. 320 H. 691.
+  (Ascribed also to C. G. Lamoignon de Malesherbes.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Londres, 1774.  (2 vols, in 8vo.)
+
+ --La Politica Naturale: discorsi sui veri principi di governo.
+ Traduzione di Luigi Salvadori.  Mantova, Balbiani e Donelli,
+ '78-80.  (2 vols., 16 (L. 5).)
+
+ 1773.  Système Social, ou principes naturels de la moral et de la
+ politique, avec un examen de l'influence du governement sur les moeurs.
+ Discenda virtus est, ars est bonum fieri; erras si existimas
+ vitia nobiscum nasci; supervenerunt in gesta sunt. --Seneca, Epis. 124.
+ Londres, MDCCLXXIII.  (8vo, pp. 218 + 174 + 166, in three parts.)
+  B. N., R 20275.76 E 1919.
+  C. U. 320. H. 69.
+  N. Y. SC.
+
+ --Ibid.  Par l'auteur du Système de la Nature, Londres, 1774.
+ (3 vols., 8vo, pp. 208 + 174 + 167.)
+  B. M. 8403. h 23.
+
+ --Ibid.  A Paris, Servière, 1795.  (2 vols., 8vo, pp. 472 + 403.)
+  B. M. 8404 dc. 25 (ex libris J. Gomez de la Cortina et amicorum.
+  Fallitur hora legendo).
+
+ --Ibid....par le baron d'Holbach.  Paris, Niogret, 1882.
+ (2 vols, 8vo.)
+  C. U. 320.  H. 690.
+
+ 1774.  Agriculture réduit à ses vrais principes par Jean Gottschalk
+ Wallerius, Paris, Lacombe, 1774. (12mo.)
+
+ 1776.  Ethocratie ou le gouvernement fondé sur la morale.
+ Constituit bonos mores civitati princips. --Seneca, de Clementia, Lib. I.
+ A Amsterdam.  Chez Marc Michel Rey.  MDCCLXXVI.
+ (8vo, pp. 10 + 293 + 2.)
+  C. U. 320. 1 H 69.
+
+ 1776.  Morale universelle, ou Les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur la nature.
+ Naturâ duce utendum est: hanc ratio observe, hanc
+ consulit, idem est ergo beatè vivere et secundum naturam. --Seneca
+ de Vita beata, Cap. VIII init.
+ A Amsterdam.  Chez Marc-Michel Rey, MDCCLXXVI.
+ (3 vols., 8vo, pp. 416 + 334 + 364.)
+  B. N., R 18596-7-8..
+  B. M. 231 h-3
+
+ --Ibid.  A Tours, Chez Letourmy le jeune et compagnie, A Angers,
+ De l'Imprimerie de Jahyer et Geslin.  Imprimeurs-Libraries, rue
+ Milton, 1792. (8vo.)
+  B. M. 527.  K. 1-3H.
+  U. Phil. 2648.50.
+
+ --Ibid.  Paris, Smith (Rey et Gravier), an 6, 1798. (3 vols., 8vo.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Par le baron d'Holbach. Paris, Masson et fils.  Libraires,
+ Rue de Tournon, No. 6, 1820.  (3 vols., 8vo, pp. xxxii + 314 + 266 + 300.)
+  C. U. 170 H 2.
+  B. M. 8411 k 7.
+
+ --Moral universal ódeberes del hombre, fundatos en su naturaleza.
+ Obra escrita en francès por el baron de Holbach y traducida al
+ castellano por D. Manuel Diaz Moreno Zaragoza, 1838, imp. de
+ M. Heras. (3 vols., 8vo.)
+
+ --La moral universel por el baron de Holbach.  Madrid, 1840,
+ imp. y lib. del Establecimiento Central. (2 vols. in 4to.)
+
+ --Ibid.  Translated into German by Johann Umminger.  Leipzig, 1898.
+
+
+ 1790.  Elements de la morale universelle, ou catechisme de la nature.
+ Par feu M., le Baron d'Holbach des académies de Pétersbourg de Manheim
+ et de Berlin.
+ Numquam aliud natura aliud sapientia dicit.--Juvenal.
+ A Paris.  Chez G. de Bure.  Rue Serpente, No. 6, MDCCXC.
+ (24vo, pp. vi + 208.)
+  B. M. 528. a. 27.
+  B. P., G. 3537.14.
+
+ --Elementos de la moral universel, ó catecismo de la naturaleza,
+ por el baron de Holbach.  Madrid, 1820, imp. que fué de Fuentenebro,
+ lib de Sanchez en 8vo past.
+
+ --Principios de moral, ó manuel de los deberes del hombre fundados
+ en la naturaleza.  Obra póstuma de baron de Holbach.  Traducida al
+ espanol por D. L. M. G. adoptada en su mayor parte de la escuelas
+ de primera educacion para instruccion de los ninos.  Madrid, 1837,
+ imp. de Ferrer y compania lib de J Sanz.  (In 16mo.)
+
+
+
+
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHY PART II.
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+GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.
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+
+
+
+
+
+VITA
+
+
+Max Pearson Cushing, born in Bangor, Maine, October 27, 1886; Bangor
+High School, 1905; A.B. Bowdown College, 1909. Instructor in English,
+Robert College, Constantinople, 1909-1911; Graduate Student in History,
+Columbia University, 1911-1913; A.M. Columbia, 1912, Instructor in
+History, Reed College, Portland, Oregon, 1913.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
+
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+   PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"
+   "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" >
+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en">
+  <head>
+    <title>
+      Baron d'Holbach, by Max Pearson Cushing
+    </title>
+    <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve">
+
+    body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify}
+    P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; }
+    H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; }
+    hr  { width: 50%; text-align: center;}
+    .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; }
+    blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;}
+    .mynote    {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;}
+    .toc       { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;}
+    .toc2      { margin-left: 20%;}
+    div.fig    { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; }
+    div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; }
+    .figleft   {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;}
+    .figright  {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;}
+    .pagenum   {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal;
+               margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%;
+               text-align: right;}
+    pre        { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;}
+
+</style>
+  </head>
+  <body>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Baron d'Holbach, by Max Pearson Cushing
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Baron d'Holbach
+       A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France
+
+Author: Max Pearson Cushing
+
+Release Date: March 18, 2009 [EBook #5621]
+Last Updated: January 26, 2013
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BARON D'HOLBACH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Ross and Richard Farris
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br />
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      BARON D'HOLBACH
+    </h1>
+    <h3>
+      A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France
+    </h3>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      By Max Pearson Cushing
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br />
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
+     for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, in
+     the Faculty of Political Science,
+     Columbia University
+
+     New York
+
+     1914
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     Press of
+     The New Era Printing Company
+     Lancaster, PA
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <h2>
+      Contents
+    </h2>
+    <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto">
+      <tr>
+        <td>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_TOC"> (DETAILED) TABLE OF CONTENTS </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>BARON D'HOLBACH</b> </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. HOLBACH, THE MAN. </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. HOLBACH'S WORKS. </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. THE SYSTÈME DE LA NATURE. </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_APPE"> APPENDIX </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> [ENDNOTES] </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_BIBL"> BIBLIOGRAPHY&mdash;PART I. </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_BIBL2"> BIBLIOGRAPHY PART II. </a>
+          </p>
+          <p class="toc">
+            <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> VITA </a>
+          </p>
+        </td>
+      </tr>
+    </table>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_TOC" id="link2H_TOC">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      (DETAILED) TABLE OF CONTENTS
+    </h2>
+    <blockquote>
+      <p>
+        Introduction. <br /> CHAPTER I. HOLBACH THE MAN. <br /> Early Letters to
+        John Wilkes. <br /> Holbach's family. <br /> Relations with Diderot,
+        Rousseau, Hume, Garrick <br /> and other important persons of the
+        century. <br /> Estimate of Holbach. His character and personality. <br />
+        CHAPTER II. HOLBACH'S WORKS. <br /> Miscellaneous Works. <br />
+        Translations of German Scientific Works. <br /> Translations of English
+        Deistical Writers. <br /> Boulanger's <i>Antiquité dévoilée</i>. <br />
+        Original Works: <i>Le Christianisme devoilé</i>. <br /> <i>Théologie
+        portative</i>. <br /> <i>La Contagion sacrée</i>. <br /> <i>Essai sur les
+        préjugés</i>. <br /> <i>Le bons-sens</i>. <br /> CHAPTER III. THE <i>Système
+        de la Nature</i> AND ITS PHILOSOPHY. <br /> Voltaire's correspondence on
+        the subject. <br /> Goethe's sentiment. <br /> Refutations and criticisms.
+        <br /> Holbach's philosophy. <br /> APPENDIX. HOLBACH'S CORRESPONDENCE.
+        <br /> Five unpublished letters to John Wilkes. <br /> [ENDNOTES] <br />
+        BIBLIOGRAPHY. <br /> Part I. Editions of Holbach's works in Chronological
+        Order. <br /> Part II. General Bibliography. <br />
+      </p>
+    </blockquote>
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br />
+    </p>
+    <hr />
+    <p>
+      <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <h1>
+      BARON D'HOLBACH
+    </h1>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     A une extréme justesse d'esprit il joignait une simplicité
+     de moeurs tout-à-fait antique et patriarcale.
+
+              J. A. Naigeon, <i>Journal de Paris</i>, le 9 fev. 1789
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      INTRODUCTION
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Diderot, writing to the Princess Dashkoff in 1771, thus analysed the
+      spirit of his century:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Chaque siècle a son esprit qui le caractérise. L'esprit du nôtre semble
+      être celui de la liberté. La première attaque contre la superstition a été
+      violente, sans mesure. Une fois que les hommes ont osé d'une manière
+      quelconque donner l'assaut à la barrière de la religion, cette barrière la
+      plus formidable qui existe comme la plus respectée, il est impossible de
+      s'arrêter. Dès qu'ils ont tourné des regards menaçants contre la majesté
+      du ciel, ils ne manqueront pas le moment d'après de les diriger contre la
+      souveraineté de la terre. Le câble qui tient et comprime l'humanité est
+      formé de deux cordes, l'une ne peut céder sans que l'autre vienne à
+      rompre. [Endnote 1:1]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The following study proposes to deal with this attack on religion that
+      preceded and helped to prepare the French Revolution. Similar phenomena
+      are by no means rare in the annals of history; eighteenth-century atheism,
+      however, is of especial interest, standing as it does at the end of a long
+      period of theological and ecclesiastical disintegration and prophesying a
+      reconstruction of society on a purely rational and naturalistic basis. The
+      anti-theistic movement has been so obscured by the less thoroughgoing
+      tendency of deism and by subsequent romanticism that the real issue in the
+      eighteenth century has been largely lost from view. Hence it has seemed
+      fit to center this study about the man who stated the situation with the
+      most unmistakable and uncompromising clearness, and who still occupies a
+      unique though obscure position in the history of thought.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach has been very much neglected by writers on the eighteenth century.
+      He has no biographer. M. Walferdin wrote (in an edition of Diderot's
+      Works, Paris, 1821, Vol. XII p. 115): "Nous nous occupons depuis longtemps
+      à rassembler les matériaux qui doivent servir à venger la mémoire du
+      philosophe de la patrie de Leibnitz, et dans l'ouvrage que nous nous
+      proposons de publier sous le titre "D'Holbach jugé par ses contemporains"
+      nous espérons faire justement apprécier ce savant si estimable par la
+      profondeur et la variété de ses connaissances, si précieux à sa famille et
+      à ses amis par la pureté et la simplicité de ses moeurs, en qui la vertu
+      était devenue une habitude et la bienfaisance un besoin." This work has
+      never appeared and M. Tourneux thinks that nothing of it was found among
+      M. Walferdin's papers. [2:2] In 1834 Mr. James Watson published in an
+      English translation of the <i>Système de la Nature</i>, <i>A Short Sketch
+      of the Life and the Writings of Baron d'Holbach</i> by Mr. Julian Hibbert,
+      compiled especially for that edition from Saint Saurin's article in
+      Michaud's <i>Biographie Universelle</i> (Paris, 1817, Vol. XX, pp.
+      460-467), from Barbier's <i>Dict. des ouvrages anonymes</i> (Paris, 1822)
+      and from the preface to the Paris edition of the <i>Système de la Nature</i>
+      (4 vols., 18mo, 1821). This sketch was later published separately (London,
+      1834, 12mo, pp. 14) but on account of the author's sudden death it was
+      left unfinished and is of no value from the point of view of scholarship.
+      Another attempt to publish something on Holbach was made by Dr. Anthony C.
+      Middleton of Boston in 1857. In the preface to his translation to the <i>Lettres
+      à Eugenia</i> he speaks of a "Biographical Memoir of Baron d'Holbach which
+      I am now preparing for the press." If ever published at all this <i>Memoir</i>
+      probably came to light in the <i>Boston Investigator</i>, a free-thinking
+      magazine published by Josiah P. Mendum, 45 Cornhill, Boston, but it is not
+      to be found. Mention should also be made of the fact that M. Assézat
+      intended to include in a proposed study of Diderot and the philosophical
+      movement, a chapter to be devoted to Holbach and his society; but this
+      work has never appeared. [3:3]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Of the two works bearing Holbach's name as a title, one is a piece of
+      libellous fiction by Mme. de Genlis, <i>Les Diners du baron d'Holbach</i>
+      (Paris, 1822, 8vo), the other a romance pure and simple by F. T. Claudon
+      (Paris, 1835, 2 vols., 8vo) called <i>Le Baron d'Holbach</i>, the events
+      of which take place largely at his house and in which he plays the rôle of
+      a minor character. A good account of Holbach, though short and incidental,
+      is to be found in M. Avézac-Lavigne's <i>Diderot et la Société du Baron
+      d'Holbach</i> (Paris, 1875, 8vo), and M. Armand Gasté has a little book
+      entitled <i>Diderot et le cure de Montchauvet, une Mystification
+      littéraire chez le Baron d'Holbach</i> (Paris, 1895, 16vo). There are
+      several works which devote a chapter or section to Holbach. [3:4] The
+      French critics and the histories of philosophy contain slight notices;
+      Rosenkranz's "Diderot's Leben" devotes a chapter to Granval, Holbach's
+      country seat, and life there as described by Diderot in his letters to
+      Mlle. Volland; and he is included in such histories of ideas as Soury, J.,
+      "Bréviaire de l'histoire de Matérialisme" (Paris, 1881) and Delvaille, J.,
+      <i>Essai sur l'histoire de l'idée de progrès</i> (Paris, 1910); but
+      nowhere else is there anything more than the merest encyclopedic account,
+      often defective and incorrect.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The sources are in a sense full and reliable for certain phases of his
+      life and literary activity. His own publications, numbering about fifty,
+      form the most important body of source material for the history and
+      development of his ideas. Next in importance are contemporary memoirs and
+      letters including those of Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Grimm, Morellet,
+      Marmontel, Mme. d'Epinay, Naigeon, Garat, Galiani, Hume, Garrick, Wilkes,
+      Romilly and others; and scattered letters by Holbach himself, largely to
+      his English friends. In addition there is a large body of contemporary
+      hostile criticism of his books, by Voltaire, Frederick II, Castillon,
+      Holland, La Harpe, Delisle de Sales and a host of outraged ecclesiastics,
+      so that one is well informed in regard to the scandal that his books
+      caused at the time. Out of these materials and other scattered documents
+      and notices it is possible to reconstruct&mdash;though somewhat
+      defectively&mdash;the figure of a man who played an important rôle in his
+      own day; but whose name has long since lost its significance&mdash;even in
+      the ears of scholars. It is at the suggestion of Professor James Harvey
+      Robinson that this reconstruction has been made. If it shall prove of any
+      interest or value he must be credited with the initiation of the idea as
+      well as constant aid in its realization. For rendering possible the
+      necessary investigations, recognition is due to the administration and
+      officers of the Bibliothèque Nationale, the British Museum, the Library of
+      Congress, the Libraries of Columbia and Harvard Universities, Union and
+      Andover Theological Seminaries, and the Public Libraries of Boston and New
+      York.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      M. P. C. NEW YORK CITY,
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      July, 1914.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER I. HOLBACH, THE MAN.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Paul Heinrich Dietrich, or as he is better known, Paul-Henri Thiry, baron
+      d'Holbach, was born in January, 1723, in the little village of Heidelsheim
+      (N.W. of Carlsruhe) in the Palatinate. Of his parentage and youth nothing
+      is known except that his father, a rich parvenu, according to Rousseau,
+      [5:5] brought him to Paris at the age of twelve, where he received the
+      greater part of his education. His father died when Holbach was still a
+      young man. It may be doubted if young Holbach inherited his title and
+      estates immediately as there was an uncle "Messire Francois-Adam, Baron
+      d'Holbach, Seigneur de Héeze, Léende et autres Lieux" who lived in the rue
+      Neuve S. Augustin and died in 1753. His funeral was held at Saint-Roch,
+      his parish church, Thursday, September 16th, where he was afterward
+      entombed. [5:6] Holbach was a student in the University of Leyden in 1746
+      and spent a good deal of time at his uncle's estate at Héeze, a little
+      town in the province of North Brabant (S.E. of Eindhoven). He also
+      traveled and studied in Germany. There are two manuscript letters in the
+      British Museum (Folio 30867, pp. 14, 18, 20) addressed by Holbach to John
+      Wilkes, which throw some light on his school-days. It is interesting to
+      note that most of Holbach's friends were young Englishmen of whom there
+      were some twenty-five at the University of Leyden at that time. [6:7]
+      Already at the age of twenty-three Holbach was writing very good English,
+      and all his life he was a friend of Englishmen and English ideas. His
+      friendship for Wilkes, then a lad of nineteen, lasted all his life and
+      increased in intimacy and dignity. The two letters following are of
+      interest because they are the only documents we have bearing on Holbach's
+      early manhood. They reveal a certain sympathy and feeling&mdash;rather
+      gushing to be sure&mdash;quite unlike anything in his later writings, and
+      quite out of line with the supposedly cold temper of a materialist and an
+      atheist.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      [Footnote: These letters, contrary to modern usage, are printed with all
+      the peculiarities of eighteenth century orthography. It was felt that they
+      would lose their quaintness and charm if Holbach's somewhat fantastic
+      English were trifled with or his spelling, capitalization and punctuation
+      modernized.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      HOLBACH TO WILKES
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      HÉEZE Aug. 9, 1746
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Dearest Friend</i>
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I should not have felt by half enough the pleasure your kind letter gave
+      me, If I had words to express it; I never doubted of your friendship, nor
+      I hope do you know me so little as to doubt of mine, but your letter is
+      full of such favorable sentiments to me that I must own I cannot repay
+      them but by renewing to you the entire gift of my heart that has been
+      yours ever since heaven favour'd me with your acquaintance. I need not
+      tell you the sorrow our parting gave me, in vain Philosophy cried aloud
+      nature was still stronger and the philosopher was forced to yield to the
+      friend, even now I feel the wound is not cur'd. Therefore no more of that&mdash;<i>Hope</i>
+      is my motto. Telling me you are happy you make me so but in the middle of
+      your happiness you dont forget your friend, What flattering thought to me!
+      Such are the charms of friendship every event is shar'd and nothing nor
+      even the greatest intervals are able to interrupt the happy harmony of
+      truly united minds. I left Leyden about 8 or 10 days after you but before
+      my departure I thought myself obliged to let Mr Dowdenwell know what you
+      told me, he has seen the two letters Mr Johnson had received and I have
+      been mediator of ye peace made betwixt the 2 parties, I don't doubt but
+      you have seen by this time Messrs Bland &amp; Weatherill who were to set
+      out for Engelland the same week I parted with them. When I was leaving
+      Leyden Mr Vernon happen'd to tell me he had a great mind to make a trip to
+      Spa. So my uncles' estate being on ye road I desir'd him to come along
+      with me, he has been here a week and went on afterwards in his journey, at
+      my arrival here, I found that General Count Palfi with an infinite number
+      of military attendants had taken possession of my uncles' house, and that
+      the 16 thousd men lately come from Germany to strengthen the allies army,
+      commanded by Count Bathiani and that had left ye neighborhood of Breda a
+      few days before and was come to Falkenswert (where you have past in your
+      journey to Spa) one hour from hence. Prince Charles arrived here the same
+      day from Germany to take ye command of the allies, the next Day the whole
+      army amounting to 70thd men went on towards the county of Liège to prevent
+      the French from beseiging Namur, I hear now that the two armies are only
+      one hour from another, so we expect very soon the news of a great battle
+      but not without fear, Count Saxes army being, by all account of hundred
+      ten thoud. men besides. Prince Counti's army of 50 thd. this latter
+      General is now employ'd at the siege of Charleroy, that can't resist a
+      long while, it is a report that the King of France is arrived in his army,
+      I hope this long account will entertain you for want of news papers: Mr.
+      Dowdeswell being left alone of our club at Leyden I Desir'd him to come
+      and spend with me the time of his vacations here, which proposal I hope he
+      will accept and be here next week. What happy triumvirat would be ours if
+      you were to join: but that is impossible at present; however those who
+      cant enjoy reality are fond of feeding their fancies with agreable Dreams
+      and charming pictures; that helps a little to sooth the sorrow of absence
+      and makes one expect with more pati[ence] till fortune allows him to put
+      in execution the cherish'd systems he has been fed upon fore some [time] I
+      shall expect with great many thanks the books you are to send me; it will
+      be for me a dubble pleasure to read them, being of your choice which I
+      value as much as it deserves, and looking at them as upon a new proof of
+      your benevolence, as to those I design'd to get from Paris for you, I
+      heard I could not get them before my uncles' return hither all commerce
+      being stopt by the way betwixt this country and France.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A few days before my departure from Leyden I receiv'd a letter from Mr
+      Freeman from Berlin, he seams vastly pleas'd with our Germany, and chiefly
+      with Hambourg where a beautiful lady has taken in his heart the room of
+      poor Mss. Vitsiavius, my prophesy was just; traveling seems to have
+      alter'd a good deal his melancholy disposition as I may conjecture by his
+      way of writing. He desired his service to you. As to me, Idleness renders
+      me every day more philosopher every passion is languishing within me, I
+      retain but one in a warm degree, viz, friendship in which you share no
+      small part. I took a whim to study a little Physic accordingly I purchased
+      several books in that Way, and my empty hours here are employ'd with them.
+      I am sure your time will be much better employ'd at Alesbury you'll find
+      there a much nobler entertainment Cupid is by far Lovlier than Esculapius,
+      however I shall not envy your happiness, in the Contrary I wish that all
+      your desires be crown'd with success, that a Passion that proves fatal to
+      great many of men be void of sorrow for you, that all the paths of love be
+      spred over with flowers in one Word that you may not address in vain to
+      the charming Mss. M. I am almost tempted to fall in love with that unknown
+      beauty, 't would not be quite like Don Quixotte for your liking to her
+      would be for me a very strong prejudice of her merit, which the poor
+      Knight had not in his love for Dulcinea.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I shall not ask your pardon for the length of this letter I am sure
+      friendship will forgive the time I steal to Love however I cannot give up
+      so easily a conversation with a true friend with whom I fancy to speak yet
+      in one of those delightfull evening walks at Leyden. It is a dream, I own
+      it, but it is so agreable one to me that nothing but reality could be
+      compared to the pleasure I feel: let me therefore insist a little more
+      upon't and travel with my Letter, we are gone! I think to be at Alesbury!
+      there I see my Dear Wilkes! What a Flurry of Panions! Joy! fear of a
+      second parting! what charming tears! what sincere Kisses!&mdash;but time
+      flows and the end of this Love is now as unwelcome to me, as would be to
+      another to be awaken'd in the middle of a Dream wherein he is going to
+      enjoy a beloved mistress; the enchantment ceases, the delightfull images
+      vanish, and nothing is left to me but friendship, which is of all my
+      possessions the fairest, and the surest, I am most sincerely Dear Wilkes
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ Your affectionate friend and humble servant
+ DE HOLBACH
+Heze the 9th august 1746 N. S.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      I shall expect with impatience the letter you are to write me from
+      Alesbury. Will it be here very soon!
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      HOLBACH TO WILKES [HÉEZE Dec. 3rd. 1746]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Dearest Wilkes</i>
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      During a little voyage I have made into Germany I have received your
+      charming letter of the 8th. September O. S. the many affairs I have been
+      busy with for these 3 months has hindered me hitherto from returning to
+      you as speedy an answer as I should have done. I know too much your
+      kindness for me to make any farther apology and I hope you are enough
+      acquainted with the sincerety of my friendship towards you to adscribe my
+      fault to forgetfulness or want of gratitude be sure, Dear friend, that
+      such a disposition will allways be unknown to me in regard to you. I don't
+      doubt but you will be by this time returned at London, the winter season
+      being an obstacle to the pleasures you have enjoyed following ye Letter at
+      Alesbury during the last Autumn. I must own I have felt a good deal of
+      pride when you gave me the kind assurance that love has not made you
+      forget an old friend, I need not tell you my disposition. I hope you know
+      it well enough and like my friendship for you has no bounds I want
+      expressions to show it. Mr Dowdeswell has been so good as to let me enjoy
+      his company here in the month of August, and returned to Leyden to pursue
+      his studies in the middle of September. We often wished your company and
+      made sincere libations to you with burgundy and Champaigne I had a few
+      weeks there after I set out for Germany where I expected to spend the
+      whole winter but the sudden death of my Uncle's Steward has forced me to
+      come back here to put in order the affairs of this estate, I don't know
+      how long I shall be obliged to stay in the meanwhile I act pretty well the
+      part of a County Squire, id est, hunting, shooting, fishing, walking every
+      day without to lay aside the ever charming conversation of Horace Virgil
+      Homer and all our noble friends of the Elysian fields. They are allways
+      faithfull to me, with their aid I find very well how to employ my time,
+      but I want in this country a true bosom friend like my dear Wilkes to
+      converse with, but my pretenssions are too high, for every abode with such
+      a company would be heaven for me.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      I perceive by your last letter that your hopes are very like to succeed by
+      Mss Mead, you are sure that every happines that can befall to you will
+      make me vastly happy. I beseech you therefore to let me know everytime how
+      far you are gone, I take it to be a very good omen for you, that your
+      lovely mistress out of compliance has vouchsafed to learn a harsh
+      high-dutch name, which would otherwise have made her starttle, at the very
+      hearing of it. I am very thankful for her kind desire of seeing me in
+      Engelland which I dont wish the less but you know my circumstances enough,
+      to guess that I cannot follow my inclinations. I have not heard hitherto
+      anything about the books you have been so kind as to send me over by the
+      opportunity of a friend. I have wrote about it to Msrs Conrad et Bouwer of
+      Rotterdam, they answered that they were not yet there. Nevertheless I am
+      very much oblided to you for your kindness and wish to find very soon the
+      opportunity of my revenge. Mr Dowderswell complains very much of Mrs Bland
+      and Weatherill, having not heard of them since their departure from
+      Leyden. I desire my compliments to Mr Dyer and all our old acquaintances.
+      Pray be so good as to direct your first letter under the covert of Mr
+      Dowderwell at Ms Alliaume's at Leyden he shall send it to me over
+      immediately, no more at Mr Van Sprang's like you used to do. I wish to
+      know if Mr Lyson since his return to his native country, continues in his
+      peevish cross temper. If you have any news besides I'll be glad to hear
+      them by your next which I expect very soon.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      About politicks I cannot tell you anything at present, you have heard
+      enough by this time the fatal battle fought near Liège in 8ber last;
+      everybody has little hopes of the Congress of Breda, the Austrian and
+      Piedmontese are entered into provence, which is not as difficult as to
+      maintain themselves therein, I wish a speedy peace would enable us both to
+      see the rejoicings that will attend the marriage of the Dauphin of France
+      with a Princess of Saxony. I have heard that peace is made between England
+      and Spain, which you ought to know better than I. We fear very much for
+      the next campaign the siege of Maestrich in our neighborhood. These are
+      all the news I know. I'll tell you another that you have known a long
+      while viz. that nobody is with more sincerity My Dear Wilkes
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ Your faithfull humble Servant and Friend
+ HOLBACH
+Heeze the 3 d Xber 1746 ns
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      By 1750 Holbach was established in Paris as a young man of the world. His
+      fortune, his learning, his sociability attracted the younger literary set
+      toward him. In 1749 he was already holding his Thursday dinners which
+      later became so famous. Among his early friends were Diderot, Rousseau and
+      Grimm. With them he took the side of the Italian <i>Opera buffa</i> in the
+      famous musical quarrel of 1752, and published two witty brochures
+      ridiculing French music. [12:9] He was an art connoisseur and bought
+      Oudry's <i>Chienne allaitant ses petits</i>, the <i>chef d'oeuvre</i> of
+      the Salon of 1753. [12:10] During these years he was hard at work at his
+      chosen sciences of chemistry and mineralogy. In 1752 he published in a
+      huge volume in quarto with excellent plates, a translation of Antonio
+      Neri's <i>Art of Glass making</i>, and in 1753 a translation of Wallerius'
+      <i>Mineralogy</i>. On July 26, 1754, the Academy of Berlin made him a
+      foreign associate in recognition of his scholarly attainments in Natural
+      History, [12:11] and later he was elected to the Academies of St.
+      Petersburg and Mannheim.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      All that was now lacking to this brilliant young man was an attractive
+      wife to rule over his salon. His friends urged him to wed, and in 1753 he
+      married Mlle. Basile-Genevieve-Susanne d'Aine, daughter of "Maître
+      Marius-Jean-Baptiste Nicolas d'Aine, conseiller au Roi en son grand
+      conseil, associé externe de l'Acad. des sciences et belles letters de
+      Prusse." [12:12] M. d'Aine was also Maître des Requêtes and a man of
+      means. Mme. d'Holbach was a very charming and gracious woman and Holbach's
+      good fortune seemed complete when suddenly Mme. d'Holbach died from a most
+      loathsome and painful disease in the summer of 1754. Holbach was
+      heart-broken and took a trip through the provinces with his friend Grimm,
+      to whom he was much attached, to distract his mind from his grief. He
+      returned in the early winter and the next year (1755) got a special
+      dispensation from the Pope to marry his deceased wife's sister, Mlle.
+      Charlotte-Susanne d'Aine. By her he had four children, two sons and two
+      daughters. The first, Charles-Marius, was born about the middle of August,
+      1757, and baptized in Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, Aug. 22. He inherited the
+      family title and was a captain in the regiment of the Schomberg-Dragons.
+      [13:13] The first daughter was born towards the end of 1758 and the second
+      about the middle of Jan., 1760. [13:14] The elder married the Marquis de
+      Châtenay and the younger the Marquis de Nolivos, "Captaine au régiment de
+      la Seurre, Dragons." Their Majesties the King and Queen and the Royal
+      Family signed their marriage contract May 27, 1781. [13:15] Of the second
+      son there seem to be no traces. Holbach's mother-in-law, Madame d'Aine,
+      was a very interesting old woman as she is pictured in Diderot's <i>Mémoires</i>,
+      and there was a brother-in-law, "Messire Marius-Jean-Baptiste-Nicholas
+      d'Aine, chevalier, conseiller du roi en ses conseils, Maître des requêtes
+      honoraire de son hôtel, intendant de justice, police, et finances de la
+      généralité de Tours," who lived in rue Saint Dominique, paroisse
+      Saint-Sulpice. There was in Holbach's household for a long time an old
+      Scotch surgeon, a homeless, misanthropic old fellow by the name of Hope,
+      of whom Diderot gives a most interesting account. [14:16] These are the
+      only names we have of the personnel of Holbach's household. His town house
+      was in the rue Royale, butte Saint-Roch. It was here that for an almost
+      unbroken period of forty years he gave his Sunday and Thursday dinners.
+      The latter day was known to the more intimate set of encyclopedists as the
+      <i>jour du synagogue</i>. Here the <i>église philosophique</i> met
+      regularly to discuss its doctrines and publish its propaganda of
+      radicalism.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach had a very pleasant country seat, the château of Grandval, now in
+      the arrondisement of Boissy St. Léger at Sucy-en-Brie. It is pleasantly
+      situated in the valley of a little stream, the Morbra, which flows into
+      the Marne. The property was really the estate of Mme. d'Aine who lived
+      with the Holbachs. Here the family and their numerous guests passed the
+      late summer and fall. Here Diderot spent weeks at a time working on the
+      Encyclopedia, dining, and walking on the steep slopes of the Marne with
+      congenial companions. To him we are indebted for our intimate knowledge of
+      Grandval and its inhabitants, their slightest doings and conversations;
+      and as Danou has well said, if we were to wish ourselves back in any past
+      age we should choose with many others the mid-eighteenth century and the
+      charming society of Paris and Grandval. [14:17]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's life, in common with that of most philosophers, offers no
+      events, except that he came near being killed in the crush and riot in the
+      rue Royale that followed the fire at the Dauphin's wedding in 1770.
+      [15:18] He was never an official personage. His entire life was spent in
+      study, writing and conversation with his friends. He traveled very little;
+      the world came to him, to the <i>Café de l'Europe</i>, as Abbé Galiani
+      called Paris. From time to time Holbach went to Contrexéville for his gout
+      and once to England to visit David Garrick; but he disliked England very
+      thoroughly and was glad to get back to Paris. The events of his life in so
+      far as there were any, were his relations with people. He knew intimately
+      practically all the great men of his century, except Montesquieu and
+      Voltaire, who were off the stage before his day. [15:19] Holbach's most
+      intimate and life-long friend among the great figures of the century was
+      Diderot, of whom Rousseau said, "À la distance de quelques siècles du
+      moment où il a vécu, Diderot paraîtra un homme prodigieux; on regardera de
+      loin cette tête universelle avec une admiration mêlée d'étonnement, comme
+      nous regardons aujourd'hui la tête des Platon et des Aristote." [15:20]
+      All his contemporaries agreed that nothing was so charged with divine fire
+      as the conversation of Diderot. Gautherin, in his fine bronze of him on
+      the Place Saint-Germain-des-Près, seems to have caught the spirit of his
+      talk and has depicted him as he might have sat in the midst of Holbach's
+      society, of which he was the inspiration and the soul. Holbach backed
+      Diderot financially in his great literary and scientific undertaking and
+      provided articles for the Encyclopedia on chemistry and natural science.
+      Diderot had a high opinion of his erudition and said of him, "Quelque
+      système que forge mon imagination, je suis sur que mon ami d'Holbach me
+      trouve des faits et des autorités pour le justifier." [16:21] Opinions
+      differ in regard to the intellectual influence of these men upon each
+      other. Diderot was without doubt the greater thinker, but Holbach stated
+      his atheism with far greater clarity and Diderot gave his sanction to it
+      by embellishing Holbach's books with a few eloquent pages of his own.
+      Diderot said to Sir Samuel Romilly in 1781, "Il faut <i>sabrer</i> la
+      théologie," [16:22] and died in 1784 in the belief that complete
+      infidelity was the first step toward philosophy. Five years later Holbach
+      was buried by his side in the crypt of the Chapel of the Virgin behind the
+      high altar in Saint-Roch. No tablet marks their tombs, and although
+      repeated investigations have been made no light has been thrown on the
+      exact position of their burial place. According to Diderot's daughter,
+      Mme. Vandeuil, their entire correspondence has been destroyed or lost.
+      [16:23]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's relations with Rousseau were less harmonious. The account of
+      their mutual misunderstandings contained in the <i>Confessions</i>, in a
+      letter by Cerutti in the <i>Journal de Paris</i> Dec. 2, 1789, and in
+      private letters of Holbach's to Hume, Garrick, and Wilkes, is a long and
+      tiresome tale. The author of <i>Eclaircissements relatifs à la publication
+      des confessions de Rousseau...</i> (Paris, 1789) blames the <i>club
+      holbachique</i> for their treatment of Rousseau, but the fault seems to
+      lie on both sides. According to Rousseau's account, Holbach sought his
+      friendship and for a few years he was one of Holbach's society. But, after
+      the success of the <i>Devin du Village</i> in 1753, the <i>holbachiens</i>
+      turned against him out of jealousy of his genius as a composer. Visions of
+      a dark plot against him rose before his fevered and sensitive imagination,
+      and after 1756 he left the Society of the Encyclopedists, never to return.
+      Holbach, on the other hand, while admitting rather questionable treatment
+      of Rousseau, never speaks of any personal injury on his part, and bewails
+      the fact that "l'homme le plus éloquent s'est rendu ainsi l'homme le plus
+      anti-littéraire, et l'homme le plus sensible s'est rendu le plus
+      anti-social." [17:24] He did warn Hume against taking him to England, and
+      in a letter to Wilkes predicted the quarrel that took place shortly after.
+      In writing to Garrick [17:25] he says some hard but true things about
+      Rousseau, who on his part never really defamed Holbach but depicted him as
+      the virtuous atheist under the guise of Wolmar in the <i>Nouvelle Heloïse</i>.
+      Their personal incompatibility is best explained on the grounds of the
+      radical differences in their temperaments and types of mind and by the
+      fact that Rousseau was too sensitive to get on with anybody for any great
+      length of time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Two other great Frenchmen, Buffon and d'Alembert, were for a time members
+      of Holbach's society, but, for reasons that are not altogether clear,
+      gradually withdrew. Grimm suggests that Buffon did not find the young
+      philosophers sufficiently deferential to him and to the authorized powers,
+      and feared for his dignity,&mdash;and safety, in their company.
+      D'Alembert, on the other hand, was a recluse by nature, and, after giving
+      up his editorship on the Encyclopedia, easily dropped out of Diderot's
+      society and devoted himself to Mlle. Lespinasse and Mme. Geoffrin. Holbach
+      and Helvetius were life-long friends and spent much time together reading
+      at Helvetius's country place at Voré. After his death in 1774, Holbach
+      frequented Mme. Helvetius' salon where he knew and deeply influenced
+      Volney, Cabanis, de Tracy, and the first generation of the Ideologists who
+      continued his and Helvetius' philosophical doctrines. Among the other
+      Frenchmen of the day who were on intimate relations with Holbach and
+      frequented his salon were La Condamine, Condillac, Condorcet, Turgot,
+      Morellet, Raynal, Grimm, Marmontel, Colardeau, Saurin, Suard,
+      Saint-Lambert, Thomas, Duclos, Chastellux, Boulanger, Darcet, Roux,
+      Rouelle, Barthès, Venel, Leroy, Damilaville, Naigeon, Lagrange and lesser
+      names,&mdash;but well known in Paris in the eighteenth century,&mdash;d'Alinville,
+      Chauvelin, Desmahis, Gauffecourt, Margency, de Croismare, de Pezay, Coyer,
+      de Valory, Charnoi, not to mention a host of others.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among Holbach's most intimate English friends were Hume, Garrick, Wilkes,
+      Sterne, Gibbon, Horace Walpole, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Dr.
+      Priestley, Lord Shelburne, Gen. Barré, Gen. Clark, Sir James MacDonald,
+      Dr. Gem, Messrs. Stewart, Demster, Fordyce, Fitzmaurice, Foley, etc.
+      Holbach addressed a letter to Hume in 1762, before making his
+      acquaintance, in which he expressed his admiration of his philosophy and
+      the desire to know him personally. [18:26] In 1764 Hume came to Paris as
+      secretary of the British Embassy and immediately called on Holbach and
+      became a regular frequenter of his salon. It was to Holbach that he wrote
+      first on the outbreak of his quarrel with Rousseau and they corresponded
+      at length in egard to the publication of the <i>Exposé succinct</i>, which
+      was to justify Hume in the eyes of the French. Hume and Holbach had much
+      in common intellectually, although the latter was far more thoroughgoing
+      in his repudiation of Theism.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      David Garrick and his wife were frequent visitors at the rue Royale on
+      their trips to Paris where they were very much liked by Holbach's society.
+      Nothing is more cordial or gracious than the compliments passed between
+      them in their subsequent correspondence. There are two published letters
+      from Holbach in Mr. Hedgecock's recent study of Garrick and his French
+      friends, excellent examples of the happy spontaneity and sympathy that
+      were characteristic of French sociability in the eighteenth century.
+      [19:27] Holbach in turn spent several months with Garrick at Hampton.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's early friendship for Wilkes has already been mentioned. Wilkes
+      spent a great deal of time in Paris on the occasion of his exiles from
+      England and became very intimate with Holbach. They corresponded up to the
+      very end of Holbach's life and there was a constant interchange of
+      friendly offices between them. [19:28] Miss Wilkes, who spent much time in
+      Paris, was a very good friend of Mme. Holbach and Mlle. Helvetius. Adam
+      Smith often dined at Holbach's with Turgot and the economists; Gibbon also
+      found his dinners agreeable except for the dogmatism of the atheists;
+      Walpole resented it also and kept away. Priestley seems to have gotten on
+      very well, although the philosophers found his materialism and
+      unitarianism a trifle inconsistent. It was at Holbach's that Shelburne met
+      Morellet with whom he carried on a long and serious correspondence on
+      economics. There seem to be no details of Holbach's relations with
+      Franklin, who was evidently more assiduous at the salon of Mme. Helvetius
+      whom he desired to marry.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's best friend among the Italians was Abbé Galiani, secretary of
+      the Neapolitan Embassy, who spent ten years in the salons of Paris. After
+      his return to Naples his longing for Paris led him to a voluminous
+      correspondence with his French friends including Holbach. A few of their
+      letters are extant. Beccaria also came to Paris at the invitation of the
+      translator of his <i>Crimes and Punishments</i>, Abbé Morellet, made on
+      behalf of Holbach and his society. Beccaria and his friend Veri, who
+      accompanied him, had long been admirers of French philosophy, and the
+      Frenchmen found much to admire in Beccaria's book. One <i>avocat-général</i>,
+      M. Servan of the Parlement of Bordeaux, a friend of Holbach's, tried to
+      put his reforms in practice and shared the fate of most reformers. Holbach
+      was also in correspondence with Beccaria, and one of his letters has been
+      published in M. Landry's recent study of Beccaria.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among the other Italians whom Holbach befriended were Paulo Frizi, the
+      mathematician; Dr. Gatti; Pincini, the musician; and Mme. Riccoboni,
+      ex-actress and novelist; whose lively correspondence with Garrick whom she
+      met at Holbach's sheds much light on the social relations of the century.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among the other foreigners who were friends or acquaintances of Holbach
+      were his fellow countrymen, Frederich Melchon Grimm, like himself a
+      naturalized Frenchman and the bosom friend of Diderot; Meister, his
+      collaborator in the <i>Literary Correspondence</i>; Kohant, a Bohemian
+      musician, composer, of the <i>Bergère des Alpes</i> and Mme. Holbach's
+      lute-teacher; Baron Gleichen, Comte de Creutz, Danish and Scandinavian
+      diplomats; and a number of German nobles; the hereditary princes of
+      Brunswick and Saxe Gotha, Baron Alaberg, afterwards elector of Mayence,
+      Baron Schomberg and Baron Studitz.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Among the well known women of the century Holbach was most intimate with
+      Mme. d'Epinay, who became a very good friend of Mme. Holbach's and was
+      present at the birth of her first son, and, in her will, left her a
+      portrait by Rembrandt. He was also a friend of Mme. Geoffrin, attended her
+      salon, and knew Mlle. de Lespinasse, Mme. Houderot and most of the
+      important women of the day.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There are excellent sources from which to form an estimate of this man
+      whose house was the social centre of the century. Just after Holbach's
+      death on January 21, 1789, Naigeon, his literary agent, who had lived on
+      terms of the greatest intimacy with him for twenty-four years, wrote a
+      long eulogy which filled the issue of the <i>Journal de Paris</i> for Feb.
+      9. There was another letter to the <i>Journal</i> on Feb. 12. Grimm's <i>Correspondance
+      Littéraire</i> for March contains a long account of him by Meister, and
+      there are other notices in contemporary memoirs such as Morellet's and
+      Marmontel's. All these accounts agree in picturing him as the most
+      admirable of men.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It must be remembered that Holbach always enjoyed what was held to be a
+      considerable fortune in his day. From his estates in Westphalia he had a
+      yearly income of 60,000 <i>livres</i> which he spent in entertaining. This
+      freedom from economic pressure gave him leisure to devote his time to his
+      chosen intellectual pursuits and to his friends. He was a universally
+      learned man. He knew French, German, English, Italian and Latin extremely
+      well and had a fine private library of about three thousand works often of
+      several volumes each, in these languages and in Greek and Hebrew. The
+      catalogue of this library was published by Debure in 1789. It would be
+      difficult to imagine a more comprehensive and complete collection of its
+      size. He had also a rich collection of drawings by the best masters, fine
+      pictures of which he was a connoisseur, bronzes, marbles, porcelains and a
+      natural history cabinet, so in vogue in those days, containing some very
+      valuable specimens. He was one of the most learned men of his day in
+      natural science, especially chemistry and mineralogy, and to his
+      translations from the best German scientific works is largely due the
+      spread of scientific learning in France in the eighteenth century. Holbach
+      was also very widely read in English theology and philosophy of the
+      seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and derived his anti-theological
+      inspiration from these two sources. To this vast fund of learning, he
+      joined an extreme modesty and simplicity. He sought no academic honors,
+      published all his works anonymously, and, had it not been for the pleasure
+      he took in communicating his ideas to his friends, no one would have
+      suspected his great erudition. He had an extraordinary memory and the
+      reputation of never forgetting anything of interest. This plenitude of
+      information, coupled with his easy and pleasant manner of talking, made
+      his society much sought after. Naigeon said of him (in his preface to the
+      works of Lagrange):
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Personne n'était plus communicatif que M. le baron d'Holbach; personne ne
+      prenait aux progrès de la raison un intérêt plus vif, plus sincère, et ne
+      s'occupait avec plus de zèle et l'activité des moyens de les accélérer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Également versé dans la plupart des matières sur lesquelles il importe le
+      plus à des êtres raisonnables d'avoir une opinion arrêtée, M. le baron
+      d'Holbach portait dans leur discussion un jugement sain, une logique
+      sévère, et une analyse exacte et précise. Quelque fut l'objet de ses
+      entretiens avec ses amis, ou même avec des indifférens, tels qu'en offrent
+      plus ou moins toutes les sociétés; il inspirait sans effort à ceux qui
+      l'écoutaient l'enthousiasme de l'art ou de la science dont il parlait; et
+      on ne le quittait jamais sans regretter de n'avoir pas cultivé la branche
+      particulière de connaissances qui avait fait le sujet de la conversation,
+      sans désirer d'être plus instruit, plus éclairé, et surtout sans admirer
+      la claret, la justesse de son esprit, et l'ordre dans lequel il savait
+      présenter ses idées.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This virtue of communicativeness, of <i>sociabilité</i>, Holbach carried
+      into all the relations of life. He was always glad to lend or give his
+      books to anyone who could make use of them. "Je suis riche," he used to
+      say, "mais je ne vois dans la fortune qu'un instrument de plus pour opérer
+      le bien plus promptement et plus efficacement." In fact Holbach's whole
+      principle of life and action was to increase the store of human well
+      being. And he did this without any religious motive whatsoever. As Julie
+      says of Wolmar in <i>La Nouvelle Heloïse</i>, "Il fait le bien sans espoir
+      de récompense, il est plus vertueux, plus désintéressé que nous." There
+      are many recorded instances of Holbach's gracious benevolence. As he said
+      to Helvetius, "Vous êtes brouillé avec tous ceux que vous avez obligé,
+      mais j'ai gardé tous mes amis." Holbach had the faculty of attaching
+      people to him. Diderot tells how at the Salon of 1753 after Holbach had
+      bought Oudry's famous picture, all the collectors who had passed it by
+      came to him and offered him twice what he paid for it. Holbach went to
+      find the artist to ask him permission to cede the picture to his profit,
+      but Oudry refused, saying that he was only too happy that his best work
+      belonged to the man who was the first to appreciate it. Instances of
+      Holbach's liberality to Kohant, a poor musician, and to Suard, a poor
+      literary man, are to be found in the pages of Diderot and Meister, and his
+      constant generosity to his friends is a commonplace in their Memoirs and
+      Correspondence. Only Rousseau was ungrateful enough to complain that
+      Holbach's free-handed gifts insulted his poverty. His kindness to
+      Lagrange, a young literary man whom he rescued from want, has been well
+      told by M. Naigeon in the preface to the works of Lagrange (p. xviii).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But perhaps the most touching instances of Holbach's benevolence are his
+      relations with the peasants of Contrexéville, one of which was published
+      in the <i>Journal de Lecture</i>, 1775, the other in an anonymous letter
+      to the <i>Journal de Paris</i>, Feb. 12, 1789. The first concerns the
+      reconciliation of two old peasants who, not wanting to go to court,
+      brought their differences to their respected friend for a settlement.
+      Nothing is more simple and beautiful than this homely tale as told in a
+      letter of Holbach's to a friend of his. The second, which John Wilkes said
+      ought to be written in letters of gold, deserves to be reproduced as a
+      whole.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      L'éloge funèbre que M. Naigeon a consacré à la mémoire de M. le Baron
+      d'Holbach suffit pour donner une idée juste de ses lumières, mais le
+      hasard m'a mis à portée de les juger encore mieux. J'ai vu M. le Baron
+      d'Holbach dans deux voyages que j'ai faits aux eaux de Contrexéville.
+      S'occuper de sa souffrance et de sa guérison, c'est le soin de chaque
+      malade. M. le Baron d'Holbach devenait le médecin, l'ami, le consolateur
+      de quiconque venait aux eaux et il semblait bien moins occupé de ses
+      infirmités que de celles des autres. Lorsque des malades indigens
+      manquaient de secours, ou pécuniaires ou curatifs, il les leur procurait
+      avec un plaisir qui lui faisait plus de bien que les eaux. Je me promenais
+      un soir avec lui sur une hauteur couverte d'un massif de bois qui fait
+      perspective de loin et près duquel s'élève un petit Hermitage. Là, demeure
+      un cénobite qui n'a de revenu que les aumônes de ceux dont il reçoit les
+      visites. Nous acquittâmes chacun notre dette hospitalière. En prenant
+      congé de l'Hermite, M. le Baron d'Holbach me dit de le précéder un instant
+      et qu'il allait me suivre. Je le précédai, et comme il ne me suivait pas
+      je m'arrêtai, pour l'attendre sur un terte exhaussé d'où l'on découvre
+      tout le pays. Je contemplais le canton que je dominais, plongé dans une
+      douce rêverie. J'en fus tiré par des cris et je me retournai vers
+      l'endroit d'òu ils partaient. Je vis M. le Baron d'Holbach environné d'une
+      vieille femme et de deux villageois, l'un vieux comme elle et l'autre
+      jeune. Tous trois, les larmes aux yeux, l'embrassaient hautement. Allez
+      vous-en donc, s'écrait M. le Baron d'Holbach; laissez moi, on m'attend, ne
+      me suivez pas, adieu; je reviendrai l'année prochaine. En me voyant
+      arriver vers eux, les trois personnes reconnaissantes disparurent. Je lui
+      demandai le sujet de tant de bénédictions. Ce jeune paysan que vous avez
+      vu s'etait engagé, j'ai obtenu de son colonel sa liberté en payant les
+      cents écus prescrits par l'ordonnance. Il est amoureux d'une jeune
+      paysanne aussi pauvre que lui, je viens d'acheter pour eux un petit bien
+      qui m'a coûté huit cent francs. Le vieux père est perclus, aux deux bras,
+      de rhumatismes, je lui ai fourni trois boîtes du baume des Valdejeots, si
+      estimé en ce pays-ci. La vieille mère est sujetté à des maux d'estomac, et
+      je lui ai apporté un pot de confection d'hyacinthe. Ils travaillaient dans
+      le champ, voisin du bois, je suis allé les voir tandis que vous marchiez
+      en avant. Ils m'ont suivi malgré moi. Ne parlez de cela à personne. On
+      dirait que je veux faire le généreux et le bon philosophe, mais je ne suis
+      que humain, et mes charités sont la plus agréable dépense de mes voyages.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      This humanity of Holbach's is the very keynote of his character and of his
+      intellectual life as well. As M. Walferdin has said, the denial of the
+      supernatural was for him the base of all virtue, and resting on this
+      principle, he exemplified social qualities that do the greatest honor to
+      human nature. He and Madame Holbach are the only conspicuous examples of
+      conjugal fidelity and happiness among all the people that one has occasion
+      to mention in a study of the intellectual and literary circles of the
+      eighteenth century. They were devoted to each other, to their children and
+      to their friends. Considering the traits of Holbach's character that have
+      been cited, there can scarcely be two opinions in regard to completeness
+      with which he realized his ideal of humanity and sociability. M. Naigeon
+      has well summed up in a few words Holbach's relation to the only duties
+      that he recognized, "He was a good husband, a good father and a good
+      friend."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER II. HOLBACH'S WORKS.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's published works, with the exception of a few scattered ones, may
+      be divided into three classes, viz., translations of German scientific
+      works, translations of English deistical writings, and his own works on
+      theology, philosophy, politics and morals. Those which fall into none of
+      these categories can be dealt with very summarily. They are:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      1. Two pamphlets on the musical dispute of 1752; <i>Lettre à une dame d'un
+      certain âge sur l'état présent de l'Opéra</i>, (8vo, pp. 11) and <i>Arrêt
+      rendu à l'amphithéâtre de l'Opéra</i>, (8vo, pp. 16,) both directed
+      against French music and in line with Grimm's <i>Petit Prophète</i> and
+      Rousseau's <i>Lettre sur la musique française</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      2. A translation in prose of Akenside's <i>The Pleasures of Imagination</i>
+      (Paris, 1759, 8vo).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      3. A translation of Swift's <i>History of the Reign of Queen Anne</i> in
+      collaboration with M. Eidous (Amsterdam, 1765, 12mo, pp. xxiv + 416).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      4. Translations of an <i>Ode on Human Life</i> and a <i>Hymn to the Sun</i>
+      in the <i>Variétés littéraires</i> (1768).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      5. Articles on natural science in the <i>Encyclopédie</i> and article <i>Prononciation
+      des langues</i> in the <i>Dictionnaire de Grammaire</i> of the <i>Encyclopédie
+      méthodique</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      6. Translation of Wallerius' <i>Agriculture reduced to its true principles</i>
+      (Paris, 1774, 12mo).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      7. Two <i>Facéties philosophiques</i> published in Grimm's <i>Correspondence
+      Littéraire. L'Abbé et le Rabbin</i>, and <i>Essai sur l'art de ramper, à
+      l'usage des courtisans</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      8. Parts of Raynal's <i>Histoire philosophique des deux Indes</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      9. Notes to Lagrange's <i>Vie de Senèque</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's translations of German scientific works are as follows:
+      (Complete titles to be found in Bibliography, Pt. I.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      1. <i>Art de la Verrerie de Neri, Merret, et Kunckel</i> (Paris, Durand,
+      1752). Original work in Italian. Latin translation by Christopher Merret.
+      German translation by J. Kunckel of Löwenstern. Holbach's translation
+      comprises the seven books of Antionio Neri, Merret's notes on Neri,
+      Kunckel's observations on both these authors, his own experiments and
+      others relative to glass-making. The translation was dedicated to
+      Malesherbes who had desired to see the best German scientific works
+      published in French. In his <i>Préface du Traducteur</i> Holbach writes:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      L'envie de me rendre utile, dont tout citoyen doit être animé, m'a fait
+      entreprendre l'ouvrage que je présente au Public. S'il a le bonheur de
+      mériter son approbation, quoiqu'il y ait peu de gloire attachée au travail
+      ingrat et fastidieux d'un Traducteur, je me déterminerai à donner les
+      meilleurs ouvrages allemands, sur l'Histoire Naturelle, la Minéralogie, la
+      Métallurgie et la Chymie. Tout le monde sait que l'Allemagne possede en ce
+      genre des trésors qui ont été jusqu'ici comme enfouis pour la France.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      2. <i>Minéralogie ou Description générale du règne mineral par J. G.
+      Wallerius</i> (Paris, Durand, 1753) followed by <i>Hydrologie</i> by the
+      same author. Second edition, Paris, Herrissant, 1759. Originally in
+      Swedish (Wallerius was a professor of chemistry in the University of
+      Upsala). German translation by J. D. Denso, Professor of Chemistry,
+      Stargard, Pomerania. Holbach's translation was made from the German
+      edition which Wallerius considered preferable to the Swedish. He was
+      assisted by Bernard de Jussien and Rouelle, and the work was dedicated to
+      a friend and co-worker in the natural sciences, Monsieur d'Arclais de
+      Montamy.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      3. <i>Introduction à la Minéralogie... oeuvre posthume de M. J. F. Henckel</i>,
+      Paris, Cavelier, 1756, first published under title <i>Henckelius in
+      Mineralogiâ redivivus</i>, Dresden, 1747, by his pupil, M. Stephani, as an
+      outline of his lectures. Holbach's translation made from a German edition,
+      corrected, with notes on new discoveries added.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      4. <i>Chimie métallurgique... par M. C. Gellert</i>. Paris, Briasson,
+      1758, translated earlier. Approbation May 1, 1753, Privilege Dec. 21,
+      1754. Originally a text written by Gellert for four artillery officers
+      whom the King of Sardinia sent to Freyburg to learn mining-engineering.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      5. <i>Traités de physique, d'histoire naturelle, de mineralogy et de
+      métallurgie</i>. Paris, Herrissant, 1759, by J. G. Lehmann, three vols. I.
+      L'Art des Mines, II. Traité de la formation des métaux, III. Essai d'une
+      histoire naturelle des couches de la terre. In his preface to the third
+      volume Holbach has some interesting remarks about the deluge, the irony of
+      which seems to have escaped the royal censor, Millet, <i>Docteur en
+      Théologie</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      "La description si précise et si détaillée que Moïse fait du Deluge dans
+      la Genèse, ayant une autorité infaillible, puis qu'elle n'est autre que
+      celle de Dieu même, nous rend certains de la réalité et de l'universalité
+      de ce châtiment terrible. Il s'agit simplement d'examiner si les
+      naturalistes, tels que Woodward, Schenchzer, Buttner et M. Lehmann
+      lui-même ne se sont points trompés, lorsqu'ils ont attribué à cet
+      événement seul la formation des couches de la terre et lorsqu'ils s'en
+      sont servis pour expliquer l'état actuel de notre globe. Il semble que
+      rien ne doit nous empêcher d'agiter cette question; l'Ecriture sainte se
+      contente de nous apprendre la voie miraculeuse dont Dieu s'est servi pour
+      punir les crimes du genre humain; elle ne dit rien qui puisse limiter les
+      sentiments des naturalistes sur les autres effets physiques que le déluge
+      a pu produire. C'est une matière qu'elle paroît avoir abandonnée aux
+      disputes des hommes." He then proceeds to question whether the deluge
+      could have produced the results attributed to it and argues against
+      catastrophism which, it must be remembered, was the received geological
+      doctrine down to the days of Lyell. "Les causes les plus simples sont
+      capables de produire au bout des siècles les effets les plus grands,
+      surtout lorsqu'elles agissent incessament; et nous voyons toutes ces
+      causes réunies agir perpétuellement sous nos yeux. Concluons, donc, de
+      tout ce qui précède, que le déluge, seul et les feux souterrains seuls ne
+      suffisent point pour expliquer la formation des couches de la terre. On
+      risquera toujours de se tromper, lorsque par l'envie de simplifier on
+      voudra dériver tous les phénomènes de la nature d'une seule et unique
+      cause."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      6. <i>Pyritologie</i> by J. F. Henkel, Paris, Herrissant, 1760, a large
+      volume in quarto, translated by Holbach. It contains <i>Flora Saturnisans</i>
+      (translated by M. Charas and reviewed by M. Roux), Henkel's <i>Opuscules
+      Minéralogiques</i> and other treatises. Original editions: <i>Pyritologia</i>,
+      Leipzig, 1725, 1754; <i>Flora Saturnisans</i>, Leipzig, 1721; <i>De
+      Appropriatione Chymica</i>, Dresden, 1727, and <i>De Lapidum origine</i>,
+      Dresden, 1734, translated into German, with excellent notes, Dresden,
+      1744, by M. C. F. Zimmermann, a pupil of M. Henkel. Holbach's translations
+      seem to have been well received because he writes in this preface: "Je
+      m'estimerai heureux si mon travail peut contribuer à entretenir et
+      augmenter le goût universel qu'on a conçu pour le saine physique."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      7. <i>Oeuvres métallurgiques</i> de M. J. C. Orschall, Paris, Hardy, 1760.
+      Orschall still accepted the old alchemist tradition but was sound in
+      practice and was the best authority on copper. Holbach does not attempt to
+      justify his physics which was that of the preceding century. Orschall was
+      held in high esteem by Henckel and Stahl.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      8. <i>Recueil des mémoires des Académies d'Upsal et de Stockholm</i>,
+      Paris, Didot, 1764. These records of experiments made in the Royal
+      Laboratories of Sweden, founded in 1683 by Charles XI, had already been
+      translated into German and English. Holbach's translation was made from
+      the German and Latin. He promises further treatises on Agriculture,
+      Natural History and Medicine.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      9. <i>Traité du Soufre</i> by G. E. Stahl, Paris, Didot, 1766. In speaking
+      of Stahl's theories Holbach says: "Il ne faut pas croire que ces
+      connaissances soient des vérités stériles propres seulement à satisfaire
+      une vaine curiosité, elles ont leur application aux travaux de la
+      métallurgie qui leur doivent la perfection où on les a portés depuis
+      quelques temps." Holbach understood very clearly the utility of science in
+      his scheme of increasing the store of human well-being, and would
+      doubtless have translated other useful works had not other interests
+      prevented. There is a MSS. note of his in the Bibliothèque Nationale to M.
+      Malesherbes, then Administrateur de la Librairie Royale; suggesting other
+      German treatises that might well be translated. (MSS. 22194).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      HOLBACH TO MALESHERBES
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Monsieur</i>
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      J'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint la liste des ouvrages dont M.
+      Liège fils pourrait entreprendre la traduction. Je n'en connais
+      actuellement point d'autres qui méritent l'attention du public. M. Macquer
+      m'a écrit une lettre qui a pour objet les mêmes choses dont vous m'avez
+      fait l'honneur de me parler, et je lui fais la même réponse.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      J'ai l'honneur d'être avec respect, Monsieur,
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ Votre très obéissant serviteur
+ D'HOLBACH
+à Paris ce 6 d'avril 1761
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      The list of books was as follows:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      1. Johann Kunckel's <i>Laboratorium Chymicum</i>, 8vo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      2. Georg Ernest Stahl's <i>Commentary on Becher's Metallurgy</i>, 8vo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      3. <i>Concordantia Chymica Becheri</i>, 40º, published by Stahl.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      4. <i>Cadmologia</i>, or the <i>Natural History of Cobalt</i>, by J. G.
+      Lehmann, Berlin, 1760, 4°.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After 1760 Holbach became interested in another line of intellectual
+      activity, namely the writing and translation of anti-religious literature.
+      His first book of this sort really appeared in 1761 although no copies
+      bear this date. From 1767 on however he published a great many works of
+      this character. It is convenient to deal first with his translations of
+      English deistical writers. They are in chronological order.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      1. <i>Esprit du clergé, ou le Christianisme primitif vengé des entreprises
+      et des excès de nos Prêtres modernes</i>. Londres (Amsterdam), 1767. This
+      book appeared in England in 1720 under the title of <i>The Independent
+      Whig</i>; its author was Thomas Gordon (known through his Commentaries on
+      Sallust and Tacitus) who wrote in collaboration with John Trenchard. The
+      book was partially rewritten by Holbach and then touched up by Naigeon,
+      who, according to a manuscript note by his brother, "atheised it as much
+      as possible." It was sold with great secrecy and at a high price&mdash;a
+      reward which the colporters demanded for the risk they ran in peddling
+      seditious literature. The book was a violent attack on the spirit of
+      domination which characterized the Christian priesthood at that time.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      2. <i>De L'imposture sacerdotale, ou Recueil de Pièces sur le clergé</i>,
+      Londres (Amsterdam), 1767. Another edition 1772 under title <i>De la
+      Monstruosité pontificale</i> etc.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Contains translations of various pamphlets including Davisson, <i>A true
+      picture of Popery</i>; Brown, <i>Popery a Craft</i>, London 1735; Gordon,
+      <i>Apology for the danger of the church</i>, 1719; Gordon, <i>The Creed of
+      an Independent Whig</i>, 1720.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      3. <i>Examen des Prophéties qui servent de fondement à la religion
+      Chrétienne</i>, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768. Translation of Anthony Collins,
+      <i>A Discourse on the Grounds and Reasons of the Christian Religion</i>,
+      London, 1724. Contains also <i>The Scheme of literal Prophecy considered</i>,
+      1727, also by Collins in answer to the works of Clarke, Sherlock,
+      Chandler, Sykes, and especially to Whiston's <i>Essay towards restoring
+      the text of the Old Testament</i>, one of the thirty-five works directed
+      against Collins' original <i>"Discourse"</i>. Copies of this work have
+      become very rare.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      4. <i>David, ou l'histoire de l'homme selon le coeur de Dieu</i>. Londres
+      (Amsterdam), 1768. This work appeared in England in 1761 and is attributed
+      to Peter Annet, also to John Noorthook. Some English eulogists of George
+      II, Messrs. Chandler, Palmer and others, had likened their late King to
+      David, "the man after God's own heart." The deists, struck by the
+      absurdity of the comparison, proceeded to relate all the scandalous facts
+      they could find recorded of David, and by clever distortions painted him
+      as the most execrable of Kings, in a work entitled <i>David or the Man
+      after God's Own Heart</i>, which formed the basis of Holbach's
+      translation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      5. <i>Les prêtres démasqués ou des iniquités du clergé chrétien</i>.
+      Londres, 1768. Translation of four discourses published under the title <i>The
+      Ax laid to the root of Christian Priestcraft by a layman</i>, London, T.
+      Cooper, 1742. A rare volume.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      6. <i>Lettres philosophiques...</i> Londres (Amsterdam, 1768). Translation
+      of J. Toland's <i>Letters to Serena</i>, London, 1704. The book, which had
+      become very rare in Holbach's time, had caused a great scandal at the time
+      of its publication and was much sought after by collectors. It contains
+      five letters, the first three of which are by Toland, the other two and
+      the preface by Holbach and Naigeon. The matters treated are, the origin of
+      prejudices, the dogma of the immortality of the soul, idolatry,
+      superstition, the system of Spinoza and the origin of movement in matter.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Diderot said of these works, in writing to Mlle. Volland Nov. 22, 1768 (<i>Oeuvres</i>,
+      Vol. XVIII, p. 308): "Il pleut des bombes dans la maison du Seigneur. Je
+      tremble toujours que quelqu'un de ces téméraires artilleurs-là ne s'en
+      trouve mal. Ce sont les <i>Lettres philosophiques</i> traduites, ou
+      supposées traduites, de l'anglais de Toland; c'est <i>l'Examen des
+      prophéties</i>; c'est la <i>Vie de David ou de l'homme selon là coeur de
+      Dieu</i>, ce sont mélle diables déchainés.&mdash;Ah! Madame de Blacy, je
+      crains bien que le Fils de l'Homme ne soit à la porte; que la venue d'Elie
+      ne soit proche, et que nous ne touchions au règne de l'Anti-christ. Tous
+      les jours, quand je me lève, je regarde par ma fenêtre, si la grande
+      prostituée de Babylone ne se promène point déjà dans les rues avec sa
+      grande coupe à la main et s'il ne se fait aucun des signes prédits dans le
+      firmament."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      7. <i>De la Cruauté religieuse</i>, Londres (Amsterdam). <i>Considerations
+      upon war, upon cruelty in general and religious cruelty in particular</i>,
+      London, printed for Thomas Hope, 1761.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      8. <i>Dissertation critique sur les tourmens de l'enfer</i> printed in an
+      original work, <i>L'Enfer détruit</i>, Londres (Amsterdam), 1769. A
+      translation of Whitefoot's <i>The Torments of Hell, the foundation and
+      pillars thereof discover'd, search'd, shaken and remov'd</i>. London,
+      1658.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      9. In the <i>Recueil philosophique</i> edited by Naigeon, Londres
+      (Amsterdam), 1770. I. Dissertation sur l'immortalité de l'âme. Translated
+      from Hume. II. Dissertation sur le suicide (Hume). III. Extrait d'un livre
+      Anglais qui a pour titre le Christianisme aussi ancien que le monde.
+      (Tindal, Christianity as old as Creation.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      10. <i>Esprit de Judaïsme, ou Examen raisonné de la Loi de Moyse</i>.
+      Londres (Amsterdam), 1770 (1769), translated from Anthony Collins. With
+      the exception of some of Holbach's own works this is one of the fiercest
+      denunciations of Judaism and Christianity to be found in print. In fact,
+      it is very much in the style of Holbach's anti-religious works and shows
+      beyond a doubt that Holbach derived his inspiration from Collins and the
+      more radical of the English school. The volume has become exceedingly
+      rare.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      After outlining the history of Judaism the book ends thus:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ose, donc enfin, ô Europe! secouer le joug insupportable des préjugés qui
+      t'affligent. Laisse à des Hébreux stupides, à des frénétiques imbéciles, à
+      des Asiatiques lâches et dégradés, ces superstitions aussi avilissantes
+      qu'insensées: elles ne sont point faites pour les habitans de ton climat.
+      Occupe-toi du soin de perfectionner tes gouvernemens, de corriger tes
+      lois, de réformer tes abus, de régler tes moeurs, et ferme pour toujours
+      les yeux à ces vraies chimères, qui depuis tant de siècles n'ont servi
+      qu'à retarder tes progrès vers la science véritable et à t'écarter de la
+      route du bonheur.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      11. <i>Examen critique de la vie et des ouvrages de Saint Paul</i>,
+      Londres (Amsterdam), 1770. A free translation of Peter Annet's <i>History
+      and character of St. Paul examined</i>, written in answer to Lyttelton.
+      New edition 1790 and translated back into English "from the French of
+      Boulanger," London, R. Carlile, 1823. A rather unsympathetic account, but
+      with flashes of real insight into "le système religieux des Chrétiens dont
+      S. Paul fut évidemment le véritable architecte." (Epître dédicatoire.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Annet said of Paul's type of man "l'enthousiaste s'enivre, pour l'ainsi
+      dire, de son propre vin, il se persuade que la cause de ses passions est
+      la cause de Dieu (p. 72), mais quelque violent qu'ait pu être
+      l'enthousiasme de S. Paul, il sentait très bien que la doctrine qu'il
+      prêchait devait paraître bizarre et insensée à des êtres raisonnables" (p.
+      141).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      12. <i>De la nature humaine, ou Exposition des facultés, des actions et
+      des passions de l'âme</i>, Londres (Amsterdam), 1772. (Thomas Hobbes.)
+      Reprinted in a French Edition of Hobbes' works by Holbach and Sorbière,
+      1787. Appeared first in English in 1640, omitted in a Latin Edition of
+      Hobbes printed in Amsterdam. In spite of its brevity, Holbach considered
+      this one of Hobbes' most important and luminous works.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      13. <i>Discours sur les Miracles de Jesus Christ</i> (Amsterdam, 1780?).
+      Translated from Woolston, whom Holbach admired very much for his
+      uncompromising attitude toward truth. He suffered fines and imprisonments,
+      but would not give up the privilege of writing as he pleased. The present
+      discourse was the cause of a quarrel with his friend Whiston. He died Jan.
+      27, 1733, "avec beaucoup de fermeté... il se ferma les yeux et la bouche
+      de ses propres mains, et rendit l'esprit." This work exists in a
+      manuscript book of 187 pages, written very fine, in the Bibliothèque
+      Nationale (Mss. français 15224) and was current in France long before
+      1780. In fact it is mentioned by Grimm before 1770, but the dictionaries
+      (Barber, Quérard) generally date it from 1780.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Before turning to Holbach's original works mention should be made of a
+      very interesting and extraordinary book that he brought to light,
+      retouched, and later used as a kind of shield against the attacks of the
+      parliaments upon his own works.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In 1766 he published a work entitled <i>L'Antiquité dévoilée par ses
+      usages, ou Examen critique des principales Opinions, Cérémonies et
+      Institutions religieuses et politiques des différens Peuples de la Terre</i>.
+      Par feu M. Boulanger, Amsterdam, 1766. This is a work based on an original
+      manuscript by Boulanger, who died in 1759, preceded by an excellent letter
+      on him by Diderot, published also in the <i>Gazette Littéraire</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The use made by Holbach of Boulanger's name makes it necessary to consider
+      for a moment this almost forgotten writer. Nicholas Antoine Boulanger was
+      born in 1722. As a child he showed so little aptitude for study that later
+      his teachers could scarcely believe that he had turned out to be a really
+      learned man. As Diderot observes, "ces exemples d'enfans, rendus ineptes
+      entre les mains des Pédans qui les abrutissent en dépit de la nature la
+      plus heureuse, ne sont pas rares, cependant ils surprennent toujours" (p.
+      1). Boulanger studied mathematics and architecture, became an engineer and
+      was employed by the government as inspector of bridges and highways. He
+      passed a busy life in exacting outdoor work but at the same time his
+      active intellect played over a large range of human interests. He became
+      especially concerned with historical origins and set himself to learn
+      Latin and Greek that he might get at the sources. Not satisfied that he
+      had come to the root of the matter he learned Arabic, Syriac, Hebrew and
+      Chaldean. Diderot says "Il lisait et étudiait partout, je l'ai moi-même
+      rencontré sur les grandes routes avec un auteur rabinnique à la main." He
+      made a <i>mappemonde</i> in which the globe is divided in two hemispheres,
+      one occupied by the continents, the other by the oceans, and by a singular
+      coincidence he found that the meridian of the continental hemisphere
+      passed through Paris. Some such rearrangement of hemispheres is one of the
+      commonplaces of modern geography. He furnished such articles as, <i>Deluge,
+      Corvée, Société</i> for the Encyclopedia and wrote several large and
+      extremely learned books, among them <i>Recherches sur l'origine du
+      Despotisme oriental</i> and <i>Antiquité dévoilée</i>. He died from
+      overwork at the age of thirty-seven.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Boulanger's ideas on philosophy, mythology, anthropology and history are
+      of extraordinary interest today. Diderot relates his saying&mdash;"Que si
+      la philosophie avait trouvé tant d'obstacles parmi nous c'était qu'on
+      avait commencé par où il aurait fallu finir, par des maximes abstraites,
+      des raisonnemens généraux, des réflexions subtiles qui ont révolté par
+      leur étrangeté et leur hardiesse et qu'on aurait admises sans peine si
+      elles avaient été précédées de l'histoire des faits." He carried over this
+      inductive method into realm of history, which he thought had been
+      approached from the wrong side, i.e., the metaphysical, "par consulter les
+      lumières de la raison" (p. 8). He continues, "j'ai pensé qu'il devait y
+      avoir quelques circonstances <i>particulières</i>. Un fait et non une
+      spéculation métaphysique m'a toujours semblé devoir être et tribut naturel
+      et nécessaire de l'histoire." Curiously enough the central fact in history
+      appeared to Boulanger to be the deluge, and on the basis of it he
+      attempted to interpret the <i>Kulturgeschichte</i> of humanity. It is a
+      bit unfortunate that he took the deluge quite as literally as he did; his
+      idea, however, is obviously the influence of environmental pressure on the
+      changing beliefs and practices of mankind. Under the spell of this new
+      point of view, he writes, "Ce qu'on appelle l'histoire n'en est que la
+      partie la plus ingrate, la plus uniforme, la plus inutile, quoi qu'elle
+      soit la plus connue. La véritable histoire est couverte par le voile des
+      temps" (p. 7). Boulanger however was not to be daunted and on the firm
+      foundation of the fact of some ancient and universal catastrophe, as
+      recorded on the surface of the earth and in human mythology, he proceeds
+      to inquire into the moral effects of the changes in the physical
+      environment back to which if possible the history of antiquity must be
+      traced. Man's defeat in his struggle with the elements made him religious,
+      <i>hinc prima mali labes</i>. "Son premier pas fut un faux pas, sa
+      première maxime fut une erreur" (p. 4 sq). But it was not his fault nor
+      has time repaired the evil moral effects of that early catastrophe. "Les
+      grandes révolutions physiques de notre globe sont les véritables époques
+      de l'histoire des nations" (p. 9). Hence have arisen the various
+      psychological states through which mankind has passed. Contemporary
+      savages are still in the primitive state&mdash;Boulanger properly
+      emphasizes the relation of anthropology to history&mdash;"On aperçoit
+      qu'il y a une nouvelle manière de voir et d'écrire l'histoire des hommes"
+      (p. 12) and with a vast store of anthropological and folklorist learning
+      he writes it so that his assailant, Fabry d'Autrey, in his <i>Antiquité
+      justifiée</i> (Paris, 1766) is obliged to say with truth, "Ce n'est point
+      ici un tissus de mensonges grossiers, de sophismes rebattus et bouffons,
+      appliqués d'un air méprisant aux objets les plus intéressants pour
+      l'humanité. C'est une enterprise sérieuse et réfléchie" (p. 11).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In 1767 Holbach published his first original work, a few copies of which
+      had been printed in Nancy in 1761. This work was <i>Le Christianisme
+      dévoilé ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion Chrétienne</i>.
+      Par feu M. Boulanger. Londres (Amsterdam), 1767. There were several other
+      editions the same year, one printed at John Wilkes' private press in
+      Westminster. It was reprinted in later collections of Boulanger's works,
+      and went through several English and Spanish editions. The form of the
+      title and the attribution of the work to Boulanger were designed to set
+      persecution on the wrong track. There has been some discussion as to its
+      authorship. Voltaire and Laharpe attributed it to Damilaville, at whose
+      book shop it was said to have been sold, but M. Barbier has published
+      detailed information given him by Naigeon to the effect that Holbach
+      entrusted his manuscript to M. De Saint-Lambert, who had it printed by
+      Leclerc at Nancy in 1761. Most of the copies that got to Paris at that
+      time were bought by several officers of the King's regiment then in
+      garrison at Nancy, among them M. de Villevielle, a friend of Voltaire and
+      of Condorcet. Damilaville did not sell a single copy and even had a great
+      deal of trouble to get one for Holbach who waited for it a long time. This
+      circumstantial evidence is of greater value than the statement of Voltaire
+      who was in the habit of attributing anonymous works to whomever he
+      pleased. [39:2]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The edition of 1767 was printed in Amsterdam as were most of Holbach's
+      works. We have the details of their publication from Naigeon <i>cadet</i>,
+      a copyist, whose brother, J. A. Naigeon, was Holbach's literary factotum.
+      In a manuscript note in his copy of the <i>Système de la Nature</i> he
+      tells how he copied nearly all Holbach's works, either at Paris or at
+      Sedan, where he was stationed, and where his friend Blon, the postmaster,
+      aided him, passing the manuscripts on to a Madame Loncin in Liège, who in
+      turn was a correspondent of Marc-Michel Rey, the printer in Amsterdam.
+      Sometimes they were sent directly by the diligence or through travellers.
+      This account agrees perfectly with information given M. Barbier orally by
+      Naigeon <i>aîné</i>. After being printed in Holland the books were
+      smuggled into France <i>sous le manteau</i>, as the expression is, and
+      sold at absurd rates by colporters. [40:3]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Diderot writing to Falconet early in 1768 [40:4] says: "Il pleut des
+      livres incrédules. C'est un feu roulant qui crible le sanctuaire de toutes
+      parts... L'intolérance du gouvernment s'accroit de jour en jour. On dirait
+      que c'est un projet formé d'éteindre ici les lettres, de ruiner le
+      commerce de librairie et de nous réduire à la besace et à la stupidité...
+      <i>Le Christianisme dévoilé</i> s'est vendu jusqu'à quatre louis."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      When caught the colporters were severely punished. Diderot gives the
+      following instance in a letter to Mlle. Volland Oct. 8, 1768
+      (Avézac-Lavigne, <i>Diderot</i>, p. 161): "Un apprenti avait reçu, en
+      payment ou autrement, d'un colporteur appelé Lécuyer, deux exemplaires du
+      <i>Christianisme dévoilé</i> et il avait vendu un de ces exemplaires à son
+      patron. Celui-ci le défère au lieutenant de police. Le colporteur, sa
+      femme et l'apprenti sont arrêtés tous les trois; ils viennent d'être
+      piloriés, fouettés et marqués, et l'apprenti condamné à neuf ans de
+      galères, le colporteur à cinq ans, et la femme à l'hôpital pour toute sa
+      vie."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There are two very interesting pieces of contemporary criticism of <i>Le
+      Christianisme dévoilé</i>, one by Voltaire, the other by Grimm. Voltaire
+      writes in a letter to Madame de Saint Julien December 15, 1766 (<i>Oeuvres</i>,
+      XLIV, p. 534, ed. Garnier): "Vous m'apprenez que, dans votre société, on
+      m'attribue <i>Le Christianisme dévoilé</i> par feu M. Boulanger, mais je
+      vous assure que les gens au fait ne m'attribuent point du tout cet
+      ouvrage. J'avoue avec vous qu'il y a de la clarté, de la chaleur, et
+      quelque fois de l'éloquence; mais il est plein de répétitions, de
+      négligences, de fautes contre la langue et je serais très-fâché de l'avoir
+      fait, non seulement comme académicien, mais comme philosophe, et encore
+      plus comme citoyen.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      "Il est entièrement opposé à mes principes. Ce livre conduit à l'athéisme
+      que je déteste. J'ai toujours regardé l'athéisme comme le plus grand
+      égarement de la raison, parce qu'il est aussi ridicule de dire que
+      l'arrangement du monde ne prouve pas un artisan suprême qu'il serait
+      impertinent de dire qu'une horloge ne prouve pas un horloger.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      "Je ne réprouve pas moins ce livre comme citoyen; l'auteur paraît trop
+      ennemi des puissances. Des hommes qui penseraient comme lui ne formeraient
+      qu'une anarchie: et je vois trop, par l'example de Genève, combien
+      l'anarchie est à craindre. Ma coutume est d'écrire sur la marge de mes
+      livres ce que je pense d'eux, vous verrez, quand vous daignerez venir à
+      Ferney, les marges de <i>Christianisme dévoilé</i> chargés de remarques
+      qui montrent que l'auteur s'est trompé sur les faits les plus essentiels."
+      These notes may be read in Voltaire's works (Vol. XXXI, p. 129, ed.
+      Garnier) and the original copy of <i>Le Christianisme dévoilé</i> in which
+      he wrote them is in the British Museum (c 28, k 3) where it is jealously
+      guarded as one of the most precious autographs of the Patriarch of Ferney.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Grimm's notice is from the <i>Correspondance Littéraire</i> of August 15,
+      1763 (Vol. V, p. 367). "Il existe un livre intitulé <i>le Christianisme
+      dévoilé ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion Chrétienne</i>,
+      par feu M. Boulanger, volume in 8º. On voit d'abord qu'on lui a donné ce
+      titre pour en faire le pendant de <i>l'Antiquité dévoilée</i>; mais il ne
+      faut pas beaucoup se connaître en manière pour sentir que ces deux
+      ouvrages ne sont pas sortis de la même plume. On peut assurer avec la même
+      certitude que celui dont nous parlons ne vient point de la fabrique de
+      Ferney, parce que j'aimerais mieux croire que le patriache eût pris la
+      lune avec ses dents; cela serait moins impossible que de guetter sa
+      manière et son allure si complètement qu'il n'en restât aucune trace
+      quelconque. Par la même raison, je ne crois ce livre d'aucun de nos
+      philosophes connus, parce que je n'y trouve la manière d'aucun de ceux qui
+      ont écrit. D'òu vient-il donc? Ma foi, je serais fâché de le savoir, et je
+      crois que l'auteur aura sagement fait de ne mettre personne dans son
+      secret. C'est le livre le plus hardi et le plus terrible qui ait jamais
+      parti dans aucun lieu du monde. La préface consiste dans une lettre où
+      l'auteur examine si la réligion est reéllement nécessaire ou seulement
+      utile au maintien ou à la police des empires, et s'il convient de la
+      respecter sous ce point de vue. Comme il établit la négative, il
+      entreprend en conséquence de prouver, par son ouvrage, l'absurdité et
+      l'incohérence du dogme Chrétien et de la mythologie qui en résulte, et
+      l'influence de cette absurdité sur les têtes et sur les âmes. Dans la
+      seconde partie, il examine la morale chrétienne, et il prétend prouver que
+      dans ses principes généraux elle n'a aucun avantage sur toutes les morales
+      du monde, parce que la justice et la bonté sont recommandées dans tous les
+      catéchismes de l'univers, et que chez aucun peuple, quelque barbare qu'il
+      fut, on n'a jamais enseigné qu'il fallût être injuste et méchant. Quant à
+      ce que la morale chrétienne a de particulier, l'auteur pretend démontrer
+      qu'elle ne peut convenir qu'à des enthousiastes peu propres aux devoirs de
+      la société, pour lesquels les hommes sont dans ce monde. Il entreprend de
+      prouver, dans la troisième partie, que la religion chrétienne a eu les
+      effets politiques les plus sinistres et les plus funestes, et que le genre
+      humain lui doit tous les malheurs dont il a été accablé depuis quinze à
+      dix-huit siècles, sans qu'on en puisse encore prévoir la fin.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Ce livre est écrit avec plus de véhémence que de véritable éloquence; il
+      entraine. Son style est châtié et correct, quoique un peu dur et sec; son
+      ton est grave et soutenu. On n'y apprend rien de nouveau, et cependant il
+      attache et intéresse. Malgré son incroyable témérité, on ne peut refuser à
+      l'auteur la qualité d'homme de bien fortement épris du bonheur de sa race
+      et de la prospérité des sociétés; mais je pense que ses bonnes intentions
+      seraient une sauvegarde bien faible contre les mandements et les
+      réquisitions." This is a clear and fair account of a book that is without
+      doubt the severest criticism of the theory and practice of historical
+      Christianity ever put in print.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The church very naturally did not let such a book pass unanswered. Abbé
+      Bergier, a heavy person, triumphantly refuted Holbach in eight hundred
+      pages in his <i>Apologia de la Religion Chrétienne contre l'Auteur du
+      Christianisme dévoilé</i>, Paris, 1769, which finishes with the fatal
+      prophecy, "Nous avons de surs garans de nos espérances: tant que le sang
+      auguste de S. Louis sera sur le trône, <i>il n'y a point de révolutions à
+      craindre ni dans la Religion ni dans la politique</i>. La religion
+      Chrétienne fondée sur la parole de Dieu... triomphera des nouveaux
+      Philosophes. Dieu qui veille sur son ouvrage n'a pas besoin de nos faibles
+      mains pour le soutenir" (Psaume 32, vs. 10, 11).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      2. There already existed in 1767 another work by Holbach entitled <i>Théologie
+      portative ou Dictionnaire Abrégé de la Religion Chrétienne. Par Mr Abbé
+      Bernier</i>. Londres (Amsterdam), 1768 (1767). This book went through many
+      editions and was augmented by subsequent authors and editors. Voltaire was
+      already writing to d'Alembert about it August 14, 1767. [44:5]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a letter to Damilaville, October 16, he writes (Vol. XIV, p. 406):
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Depuis trois mois il y a une douzaine d'ouvrages d'une liberté extrême,
+      imprimés en Hollande. <i>La Théologie portative</i> n'est nullement
+      théologique: ce n'est qu'une plaisanterie continuelle par ordre
+      alphabétique; mais il faut avouer qu'il y a des traits si comiques que
+      plusieurs théologiens mêmes ne pourront s'empêcher d'en rire. Les jeunes
+      gens et les femmes lisent cette folie avec avidité. Les éditions de tous
+      les livres dans ce goût se multiplient.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      And on February 8, 1768, he wrote:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      On fait tous les jours des livres contre la religion, dont je voudrais
+      bien imiter le style pour la défendre. Y a-t-il de plus salé, que la
+      plupart des traits qui se trouvent dans la <i>Théologie portative</i>? Y
+      a-t-il rien de plus vigoreux, de plus profondément raisonné, d'écrit avec
+      une éloquence plus audacieuse et plus terrible, que le <i>Militaire
+      philosophe</i>, ouvrage qui court toute l'Europe? [by Naigeon and Holbach]
+      Lisez la <i>Théologie portative</i>, et vous ne pourrez vous empêcher de
+      rire, en condammant la coupable hardiesse de l'auteur. Lisez <i>l'Imposture
+      sacerdotale</i>&mdash;vous y verrez le style de Démosthène. Ces livres
+      malheuresement inondent l'Europe; mais quelle est la cause de cette
+      inondation? Il n'y en a point d'autre que les querelles théologiques qui
+      ont révolté les laïques. <i>Il s'est fait une révolution dans l'esprit
+      humain que rien ne peut plus arrêter: les persécutions ne pourraient
+      qu'irriter le mal</i>. [Footnote: the italics are mine.]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It is to be noted however that Voltaire's sentiments varied according to
+      the point of view of the person to whom he was writing. In a letter to
+      d'Alembert, May 24, 1769 (Vol. LXV, p. 453), he calls the <i>Théologie
+      portative</i> "un ouvrage à mon gré, très plaisant, auquel je n'ai
+      assurément nulle part, ouvrage que je serais très fâché d'avoir fait, et
+      que je voudrais bien avoir été capable de faire." But in a letter to the
+      Bishop of Annecy June, 1769, he writes (Vol. XXVIII, p. 73): "Vous lui [M.
+      de Saint Florentin] imputez, à ce que je vois par vos lettres, des livres
+      misérables, et jusqu'à <i>la Theologie portative</i>, ouvrage fait
+      apparemment dans quelque cabaret; vous n'êtes pas obligé d'avoir du goût,
+      mais vous êtes obligé d'être juste" (Vol. XXVIII, p. 73). Diderot even
+      said of the book: "C'est un assez bon nombre de bonnes plaisanteries
+      noyées dans un beaucoup plus grand nombre de mauvaises" and this criticism
+      is just. A few examples of the better jokes will suffice:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Adam:</i> C'est le premier homme, Dieu en fait un grand nigaud, qui
+      pour complaire à sa femme eut la bêtise de mordre dans une pomme que ses
+      descendans n'ont point encore pu digérer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Idées Innées:</i> Notions inspirées des Prêtres de si bonne heure, si
+      souvent répétées, que devenu grand l'on croît les avoir eu toujours ou les
+      avoir reçus dès le ventre de sa mère.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Jonas:</i> La baleine fut à la fin obligée de le vomir tant un Prophète
+      est un morceau difficile à digérer.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Magie:</i> Il y en a de deux sortes, la blanche et la noire. La
+      première est très sainte et se pratique journellement dans l'église.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Protestants:</i> Chrétiens amphibies.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Vierge:</i> C'est la mère du fils de Dieu et belle-mère de l'église.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <i>Visions:</i> Lanternes magiques que de tout temps le Père Eternel s'est
+      amusé à montrer aux Saintes et aux Prophètes.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      3. Holbach furnished the last chapter of Naigeon's book <i>Le Militaire
+      philosophe, ou Difficulties sur la religion</i>, Londres (Amsterdam),
+      1768. Voltaire ascribed the work to St. Hyacinthe. Grimm recognized that
+      the last chapter was by another hand and considered it the weakest part of
+      the book. It attempts to demonstrate that all supernatural religions have
+      been harmful to society and that the only useful religion is natural
+      religion or morals. The book was refuted by Guidi, in a "<i>Lettre a M. le
+      Chevalier de... [Barthe] entraîné dans l'irreligion par un libelle
+      intitulé Le Militaire philosophe</i> (1770, 12mo).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      4. Holbach's next book was <i>La Contagion sacrée ou l'Histoire naturelle
+      de la Superstition</i>, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768. In his preface Holbach
+      attributed the alleged English original of this work to John Trenchard but
+      that was only a ruse to avoid persecution. The book is by Holbach. It has
+      gone through many editions and been translated into English and Spanish.
+      The first edition had an introduction by Naigeon. According to him
+      manuscripts of this book became quite rare at one time and were supposed
+      to have been lost. Later they became more common and this edition was
+      corrected by collation with six others.
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+     [PG transcriber's note: at this point there appears to be a break
+     in the original text.  A sentence introducing the fifth book in
+     this list, "Letters to Eugenie", has evidently been lost.]
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      The letters were written in 1764, according to Lequinio (<i>Feuilles
+      posthumes</i>), who had his information from Naigeon, to Marguerite,
+      Marchioness de Vermandois in answer to a very touching and pitiful letter
+      from that lady who was in great trouble over religion. Her young husband
+      was a great friend of the Holbachs, but having had a strict Catholic
+      bringing up she was shocked at their infidelity and warned by her
+      confessor to keep away from them. "Yet in their home she saw all the
+      domestic virtues exemplified and beheld that sweet and unchangeable
+      affection for which the d'Holbachs were eminently distinguished among
+      their acquaintances and which was remarkable for its striking contrast
+      with the courtly and Christian habits of the day. Her natural good sense
+      and love for her friends struggled with her monastic education and
+      reverence for the priests. The conflict rendered her miserable and she
+      returned to her country seat to brood over it. In this state of mind she
+      at length wrote to the Baron and laid open her situation requesting him to
+      comfort, console, and enlighten her." [47:7] His letters accomplished the
+      desired effect and he later published them in the hope that they would do
+      as much for others. They were carefully revised before they were sent to
+      the press. All the purely personal passages were omitted and others added
+      to hide the identity of the persons concerned. Letters of the sort to
+      religious ladies were common at this time. Fréret's were preventive,
+      Holbach's curative, but appear to be rather strong dose for a <i>dévote</i>.
+      Other examples are Voltaire's <i>Epître à Uranie</i> and Diderot's <i>Entretien
+      d'un Philosophe avec la Maréchale de...</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      6. In 1769 Holbach published two short treatises on the doctrine of
+      eternal punishment which claimed to be translations from English, but the
+      originals are not to be found. The titles are <i>De l'intolérance
+      convaincue de crime et de folie</i> as it is sometimes given, and&mdash;
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      7. <i>L'Enfer détruit ou Examen raisonné du Dogme de l'Eternité des Peines</i>.
+      Londres, Amsterdam, 1769. This letter was translated into English under
+      the title <i>Hell Destroyed!</i> "Now first translated from the French of
+      d'Alembert without any mutilations," London 1823, which led Mr. J. Hibbert
+      to say, "I know not why English publishers attribute this awfully sounding
+      work to the cautious, not to say timid d'Alembert. It was followed by
+      Whitefoot's <i>'Torments of Hell,'</i> now first translated from the
+      French." [47:8]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Of Holbach's remaining works on religion two, <i>Histoire critique de
+      Jésus Christ</i> and <i>Tableau des Saints</i>, date from 1770 when he
+      began to publish his more philosophical works.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      8. The <i>Histoire critique de Jésus Christ ou Analyse raisonnée des
+      Evangiles</i> was published without name of place or date. It was preceded
+      by Voltaire's <i>Epître à Uranie</i>. It is an extremely careful but
+      unsympathetic analysis of the Gospel accounts, emphasizing all the
+      inconsistencies and interpreting them with a literalness that they can ill
+      sustain. From this rationalistic view-point Holbach found the Gospels a
+      tissue of absurdities and contradictions. His method, however, would not
+      be followed by the critique of today.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      9. The <i>Tableau des Saints</i> is a still more severe criticism of the
+      heroes of Christendom. Holbach's proposition is "La raison ne connaît
+      qu'une mesure pour juger et les hommes et les choses, c'est l'utilité
+      réelle et permanente, qui en résulte pour notre espèce," (p. 111). Judged
+      by this standard, the saints with their eyes fixed on another world have
+      fallen far short. "Ils se flattèrent de mériter le ciel en se rendant
+      parfaitement inutile à la terre" (p. xviii). Holbach much prefers the
+      heroes of classical antiquity. The book is violent but learned throughout,
+      and deals not only with the Jewish patriarchs from Moses on but with the
+      church fathers and Christian Princes down to the contemporary defenders of
+      the faith. After a rather one-sided account of the most dreary characters
+      and events in Christian history, Holbach concludes: "Tel fut, tel est, et
+      tel sera toujours l'esprit du Christianisme: il est aisé de sentir qu'il
+      est incompatible avec les principes les plus évidens de la morale et de la
+      saine politique" (p. 208).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      10. In <i>Recueil philosophique</i>, Londres (Amsterdam), 1770, edited by
+      Naigeon. Réflexions sur les craintes de la Mort. Problème important&mdash;La
+      Religion est-elle nécessaire à la morale et utile à la Politique. Par M.
+      Mirabaud.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      11. <i>Essai sur les préjugés, ou De l'influence des opinions sur les
+      moeurs et sur le bonheur des Hommes</i>. Londres (Amsterdam), 1770, under
+      name of Dumarsais. The book pretended to be an elaboration of Dumarsais'
+      essay on the <i>Philosophe</i> published in the <i>Nouvelles libertés de
+      penser</i>, 1750.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The special interest connected with it was the refutation Frederick the
+      Great published under the title <i>Examen de l'Essai sur les préjugés</i>,
+      Londres, Nourse, 1770 (16 mo). The King of Prussia writing from the point
+      of view of a practical, enlightened despot, took special exception to
+      Holbach's remarks on government. "Il l'outrage avec autant de grossièreté
+      que d'indécence, il force le gouvernement de prendre fait et cause avec
+      l'église pour s'opposer à l'ennemi commun. Mais, quand avec un acharnement
+      violent et les traits de la plus âcre satire, il calomnie son Roi et le
+      gouvernement de son pays, on le prend pour un frénétique echappé de ses
+      chaînes, et livré aux transports les plus violens de sa rage. Quoi,
+      Monsieur le philosophe, protecteur des moeurs et de la vertu, ignorez vous
+      qu'un bon citoyen doit respecter la forme de gouvernement sous laquelle il
+      vit, ignorez vous qu'il ne convient point à un particulier d'insulter les
+      Puissances..." (p. 28).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      "Non content d'insulter à toutes les têtes couronnés de l'Europe, notre
+      philosophe s'amuse, en passant, à répandre du ridicule sur les ouvrages de
+      Hugo Grotius. J'oserais croire qu'il n'en sera pas cru sur sa parole, et
+      que le <i>Droit de la guerre et de la paix</i> ira plus loin à la
+      postérité que <i>l'Essai sur les préjugés</i>" (p. 39).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach in his anti-militaristic enthusiasm had used the words "bourreaux
+      mercenaires"; "epithète élégante," continues Frederick, "dont il honore
+      les guerriers. Mais souffrions nous qu'un cerveau brûlé insulte au plus
+      noble emploi de la Societé?" (p.49). He goes on to defend war in good
+      old-fashioned terms. "Vous déclamez contre la guerre, elle est funeste en
+      elle-même; mais c'est un mal comme ces autres fléaux du ciel qu'il faut
+      supposer nécessaires dans l'arrangement de cet univers parce qu'ils
+      arrivent périodiquement et qu'aucun siècle n'a pu jusqu'à présent d'en
+      avoir été exempt. J'ai prouvé que de tout temps l'erreur a dominé dans ce
+      monde; et comme une chose aussi constante peut être envisagée comme une
+      loi général de la nature, j'en conclus que ce qui a été toujours sera
+      toujours le même" (p. 19).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Frederick sent his little refutation to Voltaire for his compliments which
+      were forthcoming. A few days after Voltaire wrote to d'Alembert:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Le roi de Prusse vous a envoyé, sans doute, son petit écrit contre un
+      livre imprimé cette année, intitulé <i>Essai sur les préjugés</i>, ce roi
+      a aussi les siens, qu'il faut lui pardonner; on n'est pas roi pour rien.
+      Mais je voudrais savoir quel est l'auteur de cet <i>Essai</i> contre
+      lequel sa majesté prussienne s'amuse à écrire un peu durement. Serait-il
+      de Diderot? serait-il de Damilaville? serait-il d'Helvetius? peut-être ne
+      le connaissez-vous point, je le crois imprimé en Hollande (Vol. LXVI, p.
+      304).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      D'Alembert answered:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Oui, le roi de Prusse m'a envoyé son écrit contre <i>l'Essai sur les
+      préjugés</i>. Je ne suis point étonné que ce prince n'ait pas goûté
+      l'ouvrage; je l'ai lu depuis cette réfutation et il m'a paru bien long,
+      bien monotone et trop amer. Il me semble que ce qu'il y de bon dans ce
+      livre aurait pu et dû être noyé dans moins de pages et je vois que vous en
+      avez porté à peu près le même jugement (Vol. LXVI, p. 324).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In spite of these unfavorable judgments the <i>Essai</i> was reprinted as
+      late as 1886 by the Bibliotheque Nationale in its <i>Collection des
+      meilleurs auteurs anciens et modernes</i>, still attributed to Dumarsais
+      with the account of his life by "le citoyen Daube" which graced the
+      edition of the year I. (1792)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      12. Early in 1770 appeared Holbach's most famous book, the <i>Système de
+      la Nature</i>, the only book that is connected with his name in the minds
+      of most historians and philosophers. It seems wiser, however, to deal with
+      this work in a chapter apart and continue the account of his later
+      publications.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      13. The next of which was <i>Le bon-sens, ou idées naturelles opposées aux
+      idées surnaturelles. Par l'Auteur du Système de la Nature</i>, Londres
+      (Amsterdam), 1772. This work has gone through twenty-five editions or more
+      and has been translated into English, German, Italian and Spanish. As
+      early as 1791 it began to be published under the name of the curé Jean
+      Meslier d'Etrépigny, made so famous by Voltaire's publication of what was
+      supposed to be his last will and testament in which on his death bed he
+      abjured and cursed Christianity. Some editions contain in the preface
+      Letters by Voltaire and his sketch of Jean Meslier. The last reprint was
+      by De Laurence, Scott &amp; Co., Chicago, 1910. The book is nothing more
+      or less than the <i>Système de la Nature</i>, in a greatly reduced and
+      more readable form.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Voltaire, to whom it was attributed by some, said to d'Alembert, "Il y a
+      plus que du bon sens dans ce livre, il est terrible. S'il sort de la
+      boutique du <i>Système de la Nature</i>, l'auteur s'est bien
+      perfectionné." D'Alembert answered: "Je pense comme vous sur le <i>Bon-sens</i>
+      qui me paraît un bien plus terrible livre que le <i>Système de la Nature</i>."
+      These remarks were inscribed by Thomas Jefferson on the title page of his
+      copy of <i>Bon-sens</i>. The book has gone through several editions in the
+      United States and was sold at a popular price. The German translation was
+      published in Baltimore on the basis of a copy found in a second-hand book
+      store in New Orleans. The most serious work written against it is a long
+      and carefully written treatise against materialism by an Italian monk,
+      Gardini, entitled <i>L'anima umana e sue proprietà dedotte da soli
+      principi de ragione, dal P. lettore D. Antonmaria Gardini, monaco
+      camaldalese, contro i materialisti e specialmente contro l'opera
+      intitulata, le Bon-Sens, ou Idées Naturelles opposées aux idées
+      Surnaturelles. In Padova MDCCLXXXI Nella stamperia del Seminario. Appresso
+      Giovanni Manfré, Con Licenza de Superiori e Privilegio</i> (8vo, p. xx +
+      284).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      14. In 1773 Holbach published his <i>Recherches sur les Miracles</i>, a
+      much more sober work than his previous writings on religion. In this book
+      he raises the well known difficulties with belief in miracles and brings a
+      great deal of real learning and logic to bear on the question. The entire
+      work is in a reasonable and philosophic spirit. His conclusion is that
+      "une vraie religion doit avoir au défaut de bonnes raisons, des preuves
+      sensibles, capables de faire impression sur tout ceux qui la cherchent de
+      bonne foi. Ce ne sont pas les miracles." The same year he published two
+      serious but somewhat tiresome works on politics.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      15. <i>La politique naturelle</i>.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      16. <i>Système social</i> in which he attempts to reduce government to the
+      naturalistic principles which were the basis of his entire philosophy. The
+      first is also attributed to Malesherbes. There is a long and keen
+      criticism of the <i>Système Social</i> by Mme. d'Epinay in a letter to
+      Abbé Galiani Jan. 12, 1773 (Gal. <i>Corresp.</i>, Vol. II, p. 167).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      But the most interesting reaction upon it was that of the Abbé Richard who
+      criticized it from point of view of the divine right of kings in his long
+      and tiresome work entitled <i>La Défense de la religion, de la morale, de
+      la vertu, de la politique et de la société, dans la réfutation des
+      ouvrages qui ont pour titre, l'un Système Social etc. Vautre La Politique
+      Naturelle par le R. P. Ch. L. Richard, Professeur de Théologie</i>, etc.,
+      Paris, Moulard, 1775.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      In a preface of forty-seven pages the fears of the conservative old Abbé
+      are well expressed. The aim of these modern philosophers who are poisoning
+      public opinion by their writings is to "démolir avec l'antique édifice de
+      la religion chrétienne, celui des moeurs, de la vertu, de la saine
+      politique etc. rompre tous les canaux de communication entre la terre et
+      le ciel, bannir, exterminer du monde le Dieu qui le tira du néant, y
+      introduire l'impiété la plus complète, la licence la plus consomnée,
+      l'anarchie la plus entière, la confusion la plus horrible."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      17. Holbach's next work, <i>Ethocratie ou Gouvernement fondé sur la Morale</i>,
+      Amsterdam, Rey, 1776, is interesting mainly for its unfortunate dedication
+      and peroration, inscribed to Louis XVI, who was hailed therein as a long
+      expected Messiah.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      18. Holbach's last works dealt exclusively with morals. They are <i>La
+      morale universelle ou les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur la nature</i>,
+      Amsterdam, 1771, and
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      19. A posthumous work, <i>Elements de la Morale universelle, ou catechisme
+      de la nature</i>, Paris, 1790. This is a beautiful little book. It is
+      simple and clear to the last degree. There have been several translations
+      in Spanish for the purposes of elementary education in morals in the
+      public schools. It was composed in 1765. Holbach's attitude towards morals
+      is indicated by his <i>Avertissement</i>&mdash;"La morale est une science
+      dont les principes sont susceptibles d'une démonstration aussi claire et
+      aussi rigoureuse que ceux du calcul et de la géometrie."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      CHAPTER III. THE SYSTÈME DE LA NATURE.
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Early in 1770 appeared the famous <i>Système de la Nature, ou Des Loix du
+      Monde Physique et du Monde Morale, Par M. Mirabaud, Secrétaire Perpétuel
+      et l'un des Quarante de l'Académie Française</i>, Londres (Amsterdam),
+      1770. This work has gone through over thirty editions in France, Spain,
+      Germany, England and the United States. No book of a philosophic or
+      scientific character has ever caused such a sensation at the time of its
+      publication, excepting perhaps Darwin's <i>Origin of Species</i>, the
+      thesis of which is more than hinted at by Holbach. There were several
+      editions in 1770. A very few copies contain a <i>Discours préliminaire de
+      l'Auteur</i> of sixteen pages which Naigeon had printed separately in
+      London. The <i>Abrégé du Code de la Nature</i>, which ends the book was
+      also published separately and is sometimes attributed to Diderot, 8vo, 16
+      pp. [54:1]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      There is also a book entitled <i>Le vrai sens du Système de la Nature</i>,
+      1774, attributed to Helvetius, a very clear, concise epitome largely in
+      Holbach's own short and telling sentences, and much more effective than
+      the original because of its brevity. Holbach himself reproduced the <i>Système
+      de la Nature</i> in a shortened form in <i>Bon-sens</i>, 1772, and Payrard
+      plagiarized it freely in <i>De la Nature et de ses Lois</i>, Paris, 1773.
+      The book has been attributed to Diderot, Helvetius, Robinet, Damilaville
+      and others. Naigeon is certain that it is entirely by Holbach, although it
+      is generally held that Diderot had a hand in it. It was published under
+      the name of Mirabaud to obviate persecution. The manuscript, it was
+      alleged, had been found among his papers as a sort of "testament" or
+      philosophical legacy to posterity. This work may be called the bible of
+      scientific materialism and dogmatic atheism. Nothing before or since has
+      ever approached it in its open and unequivocal insistence on points of
+      view commonly held, if at all, with reluctance and reserve. It is
+      impossible in a study of this length to deal fully with the attacks and
+      refutations that were published immediately. We may mention first the
+      condemnation of the book by the <i>Parlement de Paris</i>, August 18,
+      1770, to be burned by the public hangman along with Voltaire's <i>Dieu et
+      les Hommes</i>, and Holbach's <i>Discours sur les Miracles</i>, <i>La
+      Contagion sacrée</i> and <i>le Christianisme dévoilé</i>, which had
+      already been condemned on September 24, 1769. [55:2]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The <i>Réquisitoire</i> of Seguier, <i>avocat général</i>, on the occasion
+      of the condemnation of the <i>Système de la Nature</i> was so weak and
+      ridiculous that the <i>Parlement de Paris</i> refused to sanction its
+      publication, and it was printed by the express order of the King. As Grimm
+      observed, it seemed designed solely to acquaint the ignorant with this
+      dangerous work, without opposing any of its propositions. One would look
+      in vain for a better example of the conservatism of the legal profession.
+      [55:3]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Le poison des nouveautés profanes ne peut corrompre la sainte gravité des
+      moeurs qui caractérise les vrais Magistrats: tout peut changer autour
+      d'eux, <i>ils restent immuables avec la loi</i> (page 496).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      N'est-ce pas ce fatal abus de la liberté de penser, qui a enfanté cette
+      multitude de sectes, d'opinions, de partis, et cet esprit d'indépendance
+      dont d'autres nations ont éprouvé les sinstres révolutions. Le même abus
+      produira en France des effets peut-être plus funestes. La liberté
+      indéfinie trouveroit, dans la caractère de la nation, dans son activité,
+      dans son amour pour la nouveauté, un moyen de plus pour préparer les plus
+      affreuses révolutions (p. 498).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The most interesting private attacks on the <i>Système de la Nature</i>
+      came from two somewhat unexpected quarters, from Ferney and Sans Souci.
+      Voltaire, as usual, was not wholly consistent in his opinions of it, as is
+      revealed in his countless letters on the subject. Grimm attributed his
+      hostility to jealousy, and the fear that the <i>Système de la Nature</i>
+      might "renverse le rituel de Ferney et que le patriarcat ne s'en aille au
+      diable avec lui." [56:4] George Leroy went so far as to write a book
+      entitled <i>Réflexions sur la jalousie, pour servir de commentaire aux
+      derniers ouvrages de M. de Voltaire</i>, 1772. Frederick II naturally felt
+      bound to defend the kings who, as Voltaire said, were no better treated
+      than God in the <i>Système de la Nature</i>. [56:5]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Voltaire's correspondence during this period is so interesting that it
+      seems worth while to quote at length, especially from his letters to
+      Fredrick the Great. In May 1770, shortly after the publication of the <i>Système
+      de la Nature</i> Voltaire wrote to M. Vernes: [56:6] "On a tant dit de
+      sottises sur la nature que je ne lis plus aucun de ces livres là." But by
+      July he had read it and wrote to Grimm: [56:7] "Si l'ouvrage eut été plus
+      serré il aurait fait un effet terrible, mais tel qu'il est il en a fait
+      beaucoup. Il est bien plus éloquent que Spinoza... J'ai une grande
+      curiosité de savoir ce qu'on en pense à Paris." In writing to d'Alembert
+      about this time he seemed to have a fairly favorable impression of the
+      book. "Il m'a paru qu'il y avait des longueurs, des répétitions et
+      quelques inconséquences, mais il y a trop de bon pour qu'on n'éclate avec
+      fureur contre ce livre. Si on garde le silence, ce sera une preuve du
+      prodigieux progrès que la tolérance fait tous les jours." [57:8] But there
+      was little likelihood that philosophers or theologians would keep silent
+      about this scandalous book. Before the end of the month Voltaire was
+      writing to d'Alembert about his own and the king of Prussia's refutations
+      of it, and the same day wrote to Frederick: "Il me semble que vos
+      remarques doivent être imprimées; ce sont des leçons pour le genre humain.
+      Vous soutenez d'un bras la cause de Dieu et vous écrasez de l'autre la
+      superstition." [57:9] Later Voltaire confessed to Frederick that he also
+      had undertaken to rebuke the author of the Système de la Nature. "Ainsi
+      Dieu a pour lui les deux hommes les moins superstitieux de l'Europe, ce
+      que devrait lui plaire beaucoup" (p. 390).
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Frederick, however, hesitated to make his refutation public, and wrote to
+      Voltaire: "Lorsque j'eus achevé mon ouvrage contre l'athéisme, je crus ma
+      réfutation très orthodoxe, je la relus, et je la trouvai bien éloignée de
+      l'être. Il y a des endroits qui ne saurait paraître sans effaroucher les
+      timides et scandaliser les dévots. Un petit mot qui m'est échappé sur
+      l'éternité du monde me ferait lapider dans votre patrie, si j'y étais né
+      particulier, et que je l'eusse fait imprimer. Je sens que je n'ai point du
+      tout ni l'âme ni le style théologique." [57:10] Voltaire, in his "petite
+      drôlerie en faveur de la Divinité" (as he called his work) and in his
+      letters, could not find terms harsh enough in which to condemn the <i>Système
+      de la Nature</i>. He called it "un chaos, un grand mal moral, un ouvrage
+      de ténèbres, un péché contre la nature, un système de la folie et de
+      l'ignorance," and wrote to Delisle de Sales: "Je ne vois pas que rien ait
+      plus avili notre siècle que cette énorme sottise." [58:11] Voltaire seemed
+      to grow more bitter about Holbach's book as time went on. His letters and
+      various works abound in references to it, and it is difficult to determine
+      his motives. He was accused, as has been suggested, by Holbach's circle
+      "de caresser les gens en place, et d'abandonner ceux qui n'y sont plus."
+      [58:12] M. Avenel believed that he suspected Holbach himself of making
+      these accusations. Voltaire's letter to the Duc de Richelieu, Nov. 1,
+      1770, [58:13] seems to give them foundation.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      A very different reaction was that of Goethe and his university circle at
+      Strasburg to whom the <i>Système de la Nature</i> appeared a harmless and
+      uninteresting book, "grau," "cimmerisch," "totenhaft," "die echte
+      Quintessenz der Greisenheit." To these fervent young men in the youthful
+      flush of romanticism, its sad, atheistic twilight seemed to cast a veil
+      over the beauty of the earth and rob the heaven of stars; and they
+      lightheardedly discredited both Holbach and Voltaire in favor of
+      Shakespeare and the English romantic school. One would look far for a
+      better instance of the romantic reaction which set in so soon and so
+      obscured the clarity of the issues at stake in the eighteenth century
+      thought. [58:14]
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The leading refutations directed explicitly against the <i>Système de la
+      Nature</i> are:
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      1. 1770, Rive, Abbé J. J., Lettres philosophiques contre le <i> Système de
+      la Nature</i>. (Portefeuille hebdomadaire de Bruxelles.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      2. Frederick II, <i>Examen critique du livre intitulé, Système de la
+      Nature</i>. (Political Miscellanies, p. 175.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      3. Voltaire, Dieu, Réponse de M. de Voltaire au <i>Système de la Nature</i>.
+      Au château de Ferney, 1770, 8 vo, pp. 34.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      4. 1771, Bergier, Abbé N. F., Examen du matérialisme, ou Réfutation du <i>Système
+      de la Nature</i>. Paris, Humbolt, 1771, 2 vols., 12mo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      5. Camuset, Abbé J. N., Principes contre l'incrédulité, a l'occasion du <i>Système
+      de la Nature</i>. Paris, Pillot, 1771, 12mo, pp. viii + 335.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      6. Castillon, J. de (Salvernini di Castiglione), Observations sur le livre
+      intitulé, <i>Système de la Nature</i>. Berlin, Decker, 1771, 8vo. (40 sols
+      broché.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      7. Rochford, Dubois de, Pensées diverses contre le système des
+      matérialistes, à l'occasion d'un écrit intitulé; <i>Système de la Nature</i>.
+      Paris, Lambert, 1771, 12mo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      8. 1773, L'Impie démasqué, ou remontrance aux écrivains incrédules.
+      Londres, Heydinger, 1773
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      9. Holland, J. H., Réflexions philosophiques sur le <i>Système de la
+      Nature</i>. Paris, 1773, 2 vols., 8vo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      10. 1776, Buzonnière, Nouel de, Observations sur un ouvrage intitulé le <i>Système
+      de la Nature</i>. Paris, Debure, père, 1776, 8vo, pp. 126. (Prix 1 livre,
+      16 sols broché.)
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      11. 1780, Fangouse, Abbé, La religion prouvée aux incrédules, avec une
+      lettre à l'auteur du <i>Système de la Nature</i> par un homme du monde.
+      Paris, Debure l'aîné, 12mo, p. 150. Same under title Réflexions
+      importantes sur la religion, etc., 1785.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      12. 1788, Paulian, A. J., Le véritable système de la nature, etc.,
+      Avignon, Niel, 2 vols., 12mo.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      13. 1803, Mangold, F. X. von, Unumstossliche Widerlegung des Materialismus
+      gegen den Verfasser des <i>Systems der Natur</i>. Augsburg, 1803.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Of these and other refutations of materialism such as Saint-Martin's <i>Des
+      erreurs et de la vérité</i>, Dupont de Nemours' <i>Philosophie de
+      l'univers</i>, Delisles de Sales' <i>Philosophie de la nature</i>, etc.,
+      which are not directed explicitly against the <i>Système de la Nature</i>,
+      the works of Voltaire and Frederick the Great are the most interesting but
+      by no means the most serious or convincing. Morley finds Voltaire very
+      weak and much beside the point, especially in his discussion of order and
+      disorder in nature which Holbach had denied. Voltaire's argument is that
+      there must be an intelligent motor or cause behind nature (p. 7). This is
+      God (p. 8). He admits at the outset that all systems are mere dreams but
+      he continues to insist with a dogmatism equal to Holbach's on the validity
+      of his dream. He repeatedly asserts without foundation that Holbach's
+      system is based on the false experiment of Needham (pp. 5, 6), and even
+      goes so far as to ridicule the evolutionary hypothesis altogether (p. 6).
+      He speaks of the necessity of a belief in God, by a kind of natural logic.
+      God and matter exist in the nature of things, "Tout nous announce un Être
+      suprême, rien ne nous dit ce qu'il est." God himself seems to be a kind of
+      fatalistic necessity. "C'est ce que vous appellerez Nature et c'est ce que
+      j'appelle Dieu." At the end he shifts the argument from the base of
+      necessity to that of utility. Which is the more consoling doctrine? If the
+      idea of God has prevented ten crimes I hold that the entire world should
+      embrace it (p. 27). As Morley has said, such arguments could scarcely have
+      convinced Voltaire himself.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Frederick was surprised that Voltaire and D'Alembert had found anything
+      good in the book. His refutation was more methodical than that of
+      Voltaire, who called it a "homage to the Divinity" but wrote to D'Alembert
+      that it was written in the style of a notary. Two other refutations
+      emanating from the Academy of Berlin were those of Castillon and Holland.
+      The first of these is a very heavy and learned work, formidable and
+      forbidding in its logic. Castillon reduces Holbach's propositions to
+      three. The self-existence of matter, the essential relation of movement to
+      it, and the possibility of deriving everything from it or some mode of it.
+      Castillon concludes after five hundred pages of reasoning that matter is
+      contingent, movement not inherent in it, and that purely spiritual beings
+      exist in independence of it. Hence the <i>Système de la Nature</i> is a
+      "long and wicked error." Holland's is a still more serious work, which the
+      Sorbonne recommended strongly as an antidote against Holbach's <i>Système</i>
+      which it qualified as "une malheureuse production que notre siècle doit
+      rougir d'avoir enfantée." But when it was discovered that Holland was a
+      Protestant his work was condemned forthwith, Jan. 17, 1773.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Bergier's refutation is interesting as an attack from a churchman of
+      extraordinary keenness and insight into the progress of the new
+      philosophy. In the <i>Système de la Nature</i> he recognized the hand of
+      the author of <i>La Contagion sacrée</i> and the <i>Essai sur les préjugés</i>
+      and dealt with it as he did the <i>Christianisme dévoilé</i>. Buzonniere,
+      Rochfort and Fangouse are milder and more naive in their demonstrations
+      and their works are of no weight or interest. <i>L'Impie démasqué</i> is a
+      brutal work which qualifies Holbach as a "vile apostle of vice and crime,"
+      and the <i>Système de la Nature</i> as the most impudent treatise on
+      atheism that has yet dishonored the globe&mdash;one which covers the
+      century with shame and will be the scandal of future generations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The work of Paulian is of a different sort. Coming comparatively late, it
+      attempted to review the hostile opinions of many years and then mass them
+      in an overwhelming final attack on the <i>Système de la Nature</i>. To
+      this end Paulian rewrites the entire book chapter by chapter, giving the
+      "true version." He then reviews Holland's outline and Bergier's comments,
+      together with seven articles directed explicitly against the <i>Système de
+      la Nature</i> in such works as the <i>Lettres Helviennes</i>, of Abbé
+      Barruel, <i>Dict. des Philosophes</i>, <i>Dict. anti-philosophe</i>, his
+      own <i>Dict. théologique</i>, etc., besides many other writings against
+      the new philosophy in general. He then reviews articles by members of the
+      philosophic school against materialism and then goes back to Holbach's
+      sources, Diderot, Bayle, Spinoza, Lucretius, Epicurus, etc. The work is
+      not scholarly but comprehensive and evidently discouraged further formal
+      refutations.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The <i>Système de la Nature</i> had many critics in the stormy days that
+      followed 1789. Delisle de Sales found it a monstrosity&mdash;a <i>fratras</i>;
+      La Harpe called it an infamous book, "un amas de bêtises qu'on ose appeler
+      philosophie, inconcevables inepties, un immense échafaudage de mensonge et
+      d'invective"; M. Villemain is much more calm and fair; Lord Brougham, like
+      Damiron, Buzonnière, and many others, found it seductive but full of false
+      reasoning; Lerminier was so severe that St.-Beuve was moved to defend
+      Holbach against him. Samuel Wilkinson, the English translator of 1820, is
+      one of the few whose criticism is at all favorable. Holbach has always
+      appealed to a certain type of radical mind and his translators and editors
+      have generally been men who were often over-enthusiastic. For example, Mr.
+      Wilkinson says of the <i>Système de la Nature</i>, [64:15] "No work,
+      ancient or modern, has surpassed it in the eloquence and sublimity of its
+      language or in the facility with which it treats the most abstruse and
+      difficult subjects. It is without exception the boldest effort the human
+      mind has yet produced in the investigation of Morals and Theology. The
+      republic of letters has never produced another author whose pen was so
+      well calculated to emancipate mankind from all those trammels with which
+      the nurse, the school master, and the priest have successively locked up
+      their noblest faculties, before they were capable of reasoning and judging
+      for themselves."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      It seems unnecessary to analyze the <i>Système de la Nature</i>. This has
+      been done by Damiron, Soury, Fabre, Lange, Morley, the historians of
+      philosophy, and encyclopaedists; and the book itself is easily available
+      in the larger libraries. The substance of Holbach's philosophy is
+      susceptible of clearer treatment apart from it or any one of his books,
+      although it permeates all of them.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      M. Jules Soury has said, in describing a certain type of mind: "Il est
+      d'heureux esprits, des âmes fortes et saines, que n'effraie point le
+      silence éternel des espaces infinis où s'anéantissait la raison de Pascal.
+      Naïves et robustes natures, mâles et vigoureux penseurs, qui gardent toute
+      la vie quelque chose des dons charmants de la jeunesse et de l'enfance
+      même, une foi vive dans le témoinage immédiat de nos sens et de notre
+      conscience, une humeur alerte, toute de joyeuse ardeur, et comme une
+      intrépidité d'esprit que rien n'arrête. Pour eux tout est clair et uni; ou
+      à peu près, et là où ils soupçonnent quelque bas-bond insondable, ils se
+      détournent et poursuivent fièrement leur chemin. Comme cet Epicurien dont
+      parle Cicéron au commencement du <i>De natura deorum</i>, ils ont toujours
+      l'air de sortir de l'assemblée des dieux et de descendre des intermondes
+      d'Epicure."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Such was Holbach. His philosophy is based on the child-like assumption
+      that things are as they seem, provided they are observed with sufficient
+      care by a sufficient number of people. This brings us at once to the very
+      heart of Holbach's method which was experimental and inductive to the last
+      degree. Holbach was nourished on what might be called scientific rather
+      than philosophical traditions. As M. Tourneux has pointed out, he had been
+      a serious student of the natural sciences, especially those connected with
+      the constitution of the earth. These studies led him to see the disparity
+      between certain accepted and traditional cosmologies and a scientific
+      interpretation of the terrestrial globe and the forms of life which
+      flourish upon it. Finding the supposed sacred and infallible records
+      untrustworthy in one regard, he began to question their veracity at other
+      points. Being of a critical frame of mind, he took the records rather more
+      literally than a sympathetic, allegorical apologist would have done,
+      although it cannot be said that he used much historical insight. After
+      having studied the sacred texts for purposes of writing or having
+      translated other men's studies on Moses, David, the Prophets, Jesus, Paul,
+      the Christian theologians and saints, miracles, etc., he concluded that
+      these accounts were untrustworthy and mendacious. He knew ancient and
+      modern philosophy and found in the greater part of it an unwarranted
+      romantic or theological trend which his scientific training had caused him
+      to suspect. It must be admitted that however false or illogical Holbach's
+      conclusions may be considered, he was by no means ignorant of the subjects
+      he chose to treat, as some of his detractors would have one believe. His
+      theory of knowledge was that of Locke and Condillac, and on this
+      foundation he built up his system of scientific naturalism and dogmatic
+      atheism.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      His initial assumption is, as has been suggested, that experience
+      (application réitérée des sens) and reason are trustworthy guides to
+      knowledge. By them we become conscious of an external objective world, of
+      which sentient beings themselves are a part, from which they receive
+      impressions through their sense organs. These myriad impressions when
+      compared and reflected upon form reasoned knowledge or truth, provided
+      they are substantiated by repeated experiences carefully made. That is, an
+      idea is said to be true when it conforms perfectly with the actual
+      external object. This is possible unless one's senses are defective, or
+      one's judgment vitiated by emotion and passion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Holbach's contention is that if one applies experience and reason to the
+      external universe, or nature, "ce vaste assemblage de tout ce qui existe";
+      it reveals a <i>single objective reality</i>, i. e., <i>matter</i>, which
+      is in itself essentially active or in a state of motion.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      From matter in motion are derived all the phenomena that strike our
+      senses. All is matter or a function of it. Matter, then, is not an effect,
+      but a cause. It is not caused; it is from eternity and of necessity. The
+      cardinal point in Holbach's philosophy is an inexorable materialistic
+      necessity. Nothing, then, is exempt from the laws of physics and
+      chemistry. Inorganic substance and organic life fall into the same
+      category. Man himself with all his differentiated faculties is but a
+      function of matter and motion in extraordinary complex and involved
+      relations. Man's imputation to himself of free will and unending
+      consciousness apart from his machine is an idle tale built on his desires,
+      not on his experiences nor his knowledge of nature. This imputation of a
+      will or soul to nature, independent of it or in any sense above it, is a
+      still more idle one derived from his renunciation of the witness of his
+      senses and his following after the phantoms of his imagination. It is
+      ignorance or disregard of nature then that has given rise to supernatural
+      ideas that have "no correspondence with true sight," or, as Holbach
+      expressed it, have no counterpart in the external object. In other words,
+      theology, or poetry about God, as Petrarch said, is ignorance of natural
+      causes reduced to a system.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Man is a purely natural or physical being, like a tree or a stone. His
+      so-called spiritual nature (l'homme moral) is merely a phase of his
+      physical nature considered under a special aspect. He is all matter in
+      motion, and when that ceases to function in a particular way, called life,
+      he ceases to be as a conscious entity. He is so organized, however that
+      his chief desires are to survive and render his existence happy. By
+      happiness Holbach means the presence of pleasure and the absence of pain.
+      In all his activity, then, man will seek pleasure and avoid pain. The
+      chief cause of man's misery or lack of well being is his ignorance of the
+      powers and possibilities of his own nature and the Universal Nature. All
+      he needs is to ascertain his place in nature and adjust himself to it.
+      From the beginning of his career he has been the dupe of false ideas,
+      especially those connected with supernatural powers, on whom he supposed
+      he was dependent. But, if ignorance of nature gave birth to the Gods,
+      knowledge of nature is calculated to destroy them and the evils resulting
+      from them, the introduction of theistic ideas into politics and morals. In
+      a word, the truth, that is, <i>correct ideas of nature</i> is the one
+      thing needful to the happiness and well-being of man.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      The application of these principles to the given situation in France in
+      1770 would obviously have produced unwelcome results. Holbach's theory was
+      that religion was worse than useless in that it had inculcated false and
+      pernicious ideas in politics and morals. He would do away completely with
+      it in the interest of putting these sciences on a natural basis. This
+      basis is self-interest, or man's inevitable inclination toward survival
+      and the highest degree of well-being, "L'objet de la morale est de faire
+      connaître aux hommes que leur plus grand intérêt exige qu'ils pratiquent
+      la vertu; le but du gouvernement doit être de la leur faire pratiquer."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Government then assumes the functions of moral restraint formally
+      delegated to religion; and punishments render virtue attractive and vice
+      repugnant. Holbach's theory of social organization is practically that of
+      Aristotle. Men combine in order to increase the store of individual
+      well-being, to live the good life. If those to whom society has delegated
+      sovereignty abuse their power, society has the right to take it from them.
+      Sovereignty is merely an agent for the diffusion of truth and the
+      maintenance of virtue, which are the prerequisites of social and
+      individual well-being. The technique of progress is enlightenment and good
+      laws.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      Nothing could be clearer or simpler than Holbach's system. As Diderot so
+      truly said, he will not be quoted on both sides of any question. His
+      uncompromising atheism is the very heart and core of his system and
+      clarifies the whole situation. All supernatural ideas are to be abandoned.
+      Experience and reason are once for all made supreme, and henceforth refuse
+      to share their throne or abdicate in favor of faith. Holbach's aim was as
+      he said to bring man back to nature and render reason dear to him. "Il est
+      tempts que cette raison injustement dégradée quitte un ton pusillamine qui
+      la rendront complice du mensonge et du délire."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      If reason is to rule, the usurper, religion, must be ejected; hence
+      atheism was fundamental to his entire system. He did not suppose by any
+      means that it would become a popular faith, because it presupposed too
+      much learning and reflection, but it seemed to him the necessary weapon of
+      a reforming party at that time. He defines an atheist as follows: "C'est
+      un homme, qui détruit des chimères nuisibles au genre humain, pour ramener
+      les hommes à la nature, à l'expérience, à la raison. C'est un penseur qui,
+      ayant médité la matière, ses propriétés et ses façons d'agir, n'a pas
+      besoin, pour expliquer les phénomènes de l'univers et les opérations de la
+      nature, d'imaginer des puissances idéales, des intelligences imaginaires,
+      des êtres de raison; qui loin de faire mieux connaître cette nature, ne
+      font que la rendre capricieuse, inexplicable, et méconnaissable, inutile
+      au bonheur des hommes."
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_APPE" id="link2H_APPE">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      APPENDIX
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      HOLBACH'S CORRESPONDENCE
+    </h3>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ The following letters of Holbach are extant:
+
+ Holbach to Hume, Aug. 23, 1763.
+ Holbach to Hume, Mar. 16, 1766.
+ Holbach to Hume, July 7, 1766.
+ Holbach to Hume, Aug. 18, 1766.
+ Holbach to Hume, Sept. 7, 1766.
+
+ These were printed in Hume's <i>Private Correspondence</i>, London, 1820,
+ pp. 252-263, and deal largely with Hume's quarrel with Rousseau.
+
+ Holbach to Garrick, June 16, 1765.
+ Holbach to Garrick, Feb. 9, 1766.
+
+ These two letters are in manuscript in Lansdowne House,
+ Coll. Forster, and were published by F. A. Hedgcock,
+ <i>David Garrick et ses amis français</i>. Paris, 1911, pp. 251-253.
+
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Aug., 1746, 9 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30867, p. 14).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Dec. 10, 1746 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30867, p. 18).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, May 22, 1766 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 39)
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Nov. 9, 1766 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 81).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Dec. 10, 1767 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 173).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, July 17, 1768 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30870, p. 59).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, Mar. 19, 1770 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30871, p. 16).
+ Holbach to Wilkes, April 27, 1775, 9 (Wilkes, <i>Correspondence</i>,
+  London, 1804, Vol. IV, p. 176).
+
+ The first seven of these letters are published for the first time
+ in the present volume, pp. 6-11 and pp. 75-80.
+
+ Holbach to Galiani, Aug. 11, 1769 (<i>Critica</i>, Vol. I, pp. 488 sq.).
+
+ Galiani to Holbach, April 7, 1770 (Galiani, <i>Correspondence</i>, Paris,
+ 1890, Vol. I, p. 92).
+
+ Galiani to Holbach, July 21, 1770 (Galiani, <i>Correspondence</i>, Paris,
+ 1890, Vol. I, p. 199).
+
+ Holbach to Galiani, Aug. 25, 1770 (<i>Critica</i>, Vol. I, p. 489).
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ There are references to other letters in <i>Critica</i> which I have not
+ been able to find.
+
+ Holbach to Beccaria, Mar. 15, 1767, published by M. Landry
+ <i>Beccaria, Scritte e lettre inediti</i>, 1910, p. 146.
+
+ Holbach to Malesherbes, April 6, 1761 (hitherto unpublished). See
+ present volume, p. 30.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO HUME
+ (Hume, Private Correspondence, London, 1820, pp. 252-263)
+ PARIS, the 23rd. of August, 1763
+
+ <i>Sir,</i>&mdash;
+
+ I have received with the deepest sense of gratitude your very kind
+ and obliging letter of the 8th. inst: favors of great men ought to
+ give pride to those that have at least the merit of setting the value
+ that is due upon them.  This is my case with you, sir; the reading
+ of your valuable works has not only inspired me with the strongest
+ admiration for your genius and amiable parts, but gave me the highest
+ idea of your person and the strongest desire of getting acquainted
+ with one of the greatest philosophers of my age, and of the best friend
+ to mankind.  These sentiments have emboldened me to send formally,
+ though unknown to you, the work you are mentioning to me.  I thought
+ you were the best to judge of such a performance, and I took only
+ the liberty of giving a hint of my desires, in case it should meet
+ with your approbation, nor was I surprized, or presumed to be
+ displeased, at seeing my wishes disappointed.  The reasons appeared
+ very obvious to me; not withstanding the British liberty, I conceived
+ there were limits even to it.  However, my late friend's book has
+ appeared since and there is even an edition of it lately done in
+ England: I believe it will be relished by the friends of truth,
+ who like to see vulgar errors struck at the root.  This has been
+ your continued task, sir; and you deserve for it the praises of all
+ sincere wellwishers of humanity: give me leave to rank myself among
+ them, and express to you, by this opportunity you have been so kind
+ as to give me, the fervent desire we have to see you in this country.
+ Messrs. Stuart, Dempster, Fordyce, who are so good as to favor me
+ with their company, have given me some hopes of seeing you in this
+ metropolis, where you have so many admirers as readers, and as many
+ sincere friends as there are disciples of philosophy.  I don't doubt
+ but my good friend M. Helvétius will join in our wishes, and prevail
+ upon you to come over.  I assure you, sir, you won't perceive much
+ the change of the country, for all countries are alike for people that
+ have the same minds.
+
+ I am, with the greatest veneration and esteem, sir, your most
+ obedient and most humble servant.
+  D'HOLBACH.
+  Rue Royale, butte St. Roch, à Paris.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH To GARRICK
+ (Coll. Forster, Vol. XXI; pub., Hedgcock, p. 253)
+ PARIS, Feb ye 9th, 1766.
+
+ I received, my very Dear Sir, with a great deal of pleasure, your
+ agreeable letter of ye 24th of January, but was very sorry to hear
+ that you are inlisted in the numerous troup of <i>gouty</i> people.  Tho'
+ I have myself the honour of being of that tribe I dont desire my
+ friends should enter into the same corporation.  I am particularly
+ griev'd to see you among the invalids for you have, more than any
+ other, occasion for the free use of your limbs.  However, don't be
+ cross and peevish for that would be only increasing you distemper;
+ and I charge you especially of not scolding that admirable lady
+ Mrs Garrick, whose sweetness of temper and care must be a great
+ comfort in your circumstances.  I beg leave to present her with my
+ respects and ye compliments of my wife, that has enjoyed but an
+ indifferent state of health, owing to the severity of the winter.
+ Mr and Made Helvetius desire you both their best wishes and so do
+ all your friends, for whom I can answer that every one of them
+ keeps a kind remembrance of your valuable persons.  Dr. Gem thinks
+ you'll do very well to go to Bath, but his opinion is that a thin
+ diet would be more serviceable to you than anything else; believe
+ he is in the right.  Abbé Morellet pays many thanks for the answers
+ to his queries, but complains of their shortness and laconism;
+ however it is not your fault.  He is glad to hear you have receiv'd
+ his translation of Beccaria's book, <i>Des délits et des peines</i> and
+ the compliments of our friend Dr Gatti to whom I gave your direction
+ before he went to London.  Our friend Suard has entered his neck into
+ the matrimonial halter; we are all of us very sorry for it for we know
+ that nothing combin'd with love, will at last make nothing at all.
+
+ I was not much surpris'd at the particulars you are pleas'd to mention
+ about Rousseau.  According to the thorough knowledge I have had of
+ him I look on that man as a mere philosophical quack, full of
+ affectation, of pride, of oddities and even villainies; the work he
+ is going to publish justifies the last imputation.  Is his memory so
+ short as to forget that Mr Grimm, for those 9 years past, has taken
+ care of the mother of his wench or <i>gouvernante</i> whom he left to starve
+ here after having debauch'd her daughter and having got her 3 or 4
+ times with child.  That great philosopher should remember that
+ Mr. Grimm has in his hands letters under his own hand-writing that
+ prove him the most ungrateful dogg in the world.  During his last
+ stay in Paris he made some attempts to see Mr Diderot, and being
+ refused that favor, he pretended that Diderot endeavoured to see
+ him, but that himself had refused peremptorily to comply with his
+ request.  I hope these particulars will suffice to let you know what
+ you are to think of that illustrious man.  I send you here a copy of
+ a letter supposed to come from the King of Prussia, but done by
+ Mr Horace Walpole, whereby you'll see that gentleman has found out
+ his true character.  But enough of that rascal who deserves not to be
+ in Mr Hume's company but rather among the bears, if there are any in
+ the mountains of Wales.
+
+ I am surprized you have not receiv'd yet the <i>Encyclopédie</i>, for a
+ great number of copies have been sent over already to England unless
+ you have left your subscription here, where hitherto not one copy has
+ been delivered for prudent reasons.
+
+ We have had in the French Comedy a new play called <i>Le Philosophie sans
+ le savoir</i> done and acted in a new stile, quite natural and moving: it
+ has a prodigious success and deserves it extremely well.  Marmontel
+ will give us very soon upon the Italian stage his comical opera of
+ <i>La Bergère des Alpes</i>.  I hope it will prove very agreeable to the
+ Publick, having been very much delighted by the rehearsal of it; the
+ music was done by Mr Cohaut who teaches my wife to play on the luth.
+ We expect a tragedy of the Dutch Barnvelt.
+
+ Mr Wilkes is still in this town, where he intends to stay until you
+ give him leave to return to his native country.  We have had the
+ pleasure of seeing Mr Chanquion, your friend, who seems to be a very
+ discerning gentleman and to whom in favor of your friendship I have
+ shown all the politeness I could.  I hear that Sr James Macdonald has
+ been ill at Parma, but is now recovered and in Rome.  Abbé Galliani is
+ still at Naples and stands a fair chance of being employ'd in the
+ ministry there.
+
+ Adieu, very dear Sir and remember your affectionate friend
+  D'HOLBACH
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 39)
+ PARIS the 22d Of May (1766)
+
+ <i>My dear Sir</i>
+
+ I am extremely glad to know your lucky passage and happy arrival
+ in your native country.  I hope you know too well the sincere
+ dispositions of my heart as to doubt of the friendship I have
+ vowed to you for life; it has been of too long a duration to be
+ shaken by any circumstances, and especially by those that do honor
+ to you.  I shall be very happy if your affairs (that seem to be in
+ a fair way) permit you to drop over very soon to spend some time
+ in this place along with Miss Wilkes to whom Made D'Holbach and I
+ pay our best compliments.  I can easily paint to my imagination
+ the pleasure you both felt at your first meeting; everybody that
+ has any sensibility must be acquainted with the grateful pangs in
+ those moving circumstances.
+
+ Your case with the hawker at your entry in London is very odd and
+ whimsical you did extremely well to humour the man in his opinion
+ about Mr. Wilkes.  I dare say if you had done otherwise his fist
+ would have convinc'd you of the goodness of your cause, and then it
+ would have been impossible for you to pass for a dead man any longer;
+ which however, I think was very necessary for you in the beginning.
+ I expect with great eagerness the settlement of your affairs with
+ the ministry to your own satisfaction; be persuaded, Dear Sir, that
+ nobody interests himself in your happiness than myself, and nothing
+ will conduce more to it than your steady attachment to the principles
+ of honor and patriotism.
+
+ If you don't find a way of disposing of the little packet, you need
+ not take much trouble about it, and you may bring it back along with
+ you, when you come to this place, as to the kind offers you are so
+ good as to make me about commissions, experience has taught me that
+ it is unsafe to trust you with them, so I beg leave with gratitude
+ to decline your proposals as that point.
+
+ All our common friends and acquaintances desire their best
+ compliments to you, and believe me, my dear Sir.
+
+  Your affectionate oblig'd humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., VOL 30869, p. 81)
+ PARIS 9ber 10th 1766
+
+ <i>My very Dear Sir</i>
+
+ I receiv'd with the greatest pleasure the news of your lucky arrival
+ in Engelland.  You know the sentiments of my heart, and are undoubtedly
+ convinc'd how much I wish for the good success of all your enterprises
+ tho I am to be a great looser by it.  I rejoice very heartily at the
+ fine prospect you have now in view and don't doubt but the persons you
+ mention will succeed if they are in good earnest: which is allways a
+ little doubtful in people of that Kidney.
+
+ We have had the pleasure of seeing Miss Wilkes three or four times since
+ your departure, she is extreamly well and longs for the return of her
+ friend Mlle Helvetius the 20th of this month.
+
+ Rousseau will very likely hate the English very cordially for making
+ him pay so dear for his books, it is however a sign that he told us a
+ lye when he pretended in his writings to have no books at all, as to
+ his guitar he should buy a new one to tune his heart a little better
+ than he did before.
+
+ We have no news here, except the Election of Mr Thomas as a member of
+ the french academy.  Marquis Beccaria is going to leave us very soon
+ being obliged to return to Milan: Count Veri will at the same time set
+ out for England.
+
+ I'll be oblig'd to you for a copy or two of the book printed in holland
+ you mentioned in your letter you may send it by some private opportunity
+ to Miss Wilkes, with, proper directions.  A gentleman of our Society
+ should be glad to get 2 copies of Baskervilles' virgil <i>in octavo</i>.
+
+ Tho Mr Davenport and Rousseau seem to be pleased very much with one
+ another, I suppose they may very soon be tired of their squabbling,
+ and the latter like the apostles will shake of against the barbarous
+ Britons the dust of his feet.
+
+ Receive the hearty compliments of my wife and all our friends.  You
+ know the true sentiments of my heart for you,
+ Dear Sir.  I am with great sincerity
+  your most obedient humble Servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 173)
+
+ <i>Dear Sir</i>
+
+ I receiv'd with a great deal of pleasure your friendly letter from
+ Ostende of the 26th. nov. I was extreamly glad to hear your happy
+ arrival at that place, and do not doubt but you met with a lucky
+ passage to Dover the following day, we are now enjoying the conversation
+ of your British friends about elections; that will not be tedious for
+ you if, according to your hopes, you should succeed in your projects.
+
+ I see by your letter that instead of coming back directly by Calais
+ you intend to travel with Miss Wilkes through Antwerp and the Low
+ countries, which I should think not very advisable in this rigorous
+ season of the year, for generally at that time the waters are lock'd
+ up by the frost and travelling is bad et tedious and may be would
+ prove hurtful to your tender fellow traveler to whom my wife and I
+ desire our best compliments.  Such a scheme will be more advantagious
+ for you both and more conformable to the wishes of your friends in
+ this place.
+
+ I hope your arrival in London will contribute to reconcile abbé
+ Galliani to that place, where he complains of having not heard of
+ the sun since he set his foot on British shore, however he may
+ comfort himself for we have had very little of it in this country.
+ The Abbé must be overjoy'd at the news of the Jesuits being expell'd
+ from his Native country for now he may say <i>Gens inimica mihi
+ Tyrrhenum navigat aquor</i>.  We have no material news in this country,
+ except that the queen continues to be in a very bad state of health.
+
+ If there is some good new romance I'll be oblig'd to bring it over
+ along with you as, well as a couple of french books call'd
+ <i>Militaire philosophe</i> and <i>Théologie portative</i> in case you may
+ easily find them in London, for we cannot get them here.  I am told
+ the works of one Morgan have been esteem'd in your country but I don't
+ know the titles of them, if you should know them and meet with them
+ with facility, I should be very much oblig'd to you provided you make
+ me pay a little more than you have done hitherto for your commissions.
+
+ All our common friends beg their compliments and I wish for your
+ speedy return, and I am Sincerely
+ Dear Sir
+  Your faithful affectionate humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+ PARIS the 10th of decemb. 1767
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30870, p. 59)
+ GRANDVAL, 17th of July 1768
+
+ <i>Dear Sir</i>
+
+ I receiv'd with a great deal of pleasure your very agreeable letter
+ of the 28th of last month.  I am extreamly glad that your generous
+ soul is very far from sinking under the weight of these Misfortunes,
+ and to see that you don't give up the hopes of carrying triumphantly
+ your point notwithstanding the discouragements you have met with lately.
+ I need not tell you how much your friends in Paris and I in particular
+ interest ourselves in all the events that may befall you.  Our old
+ friendship ought to be a sure pledge of my sincere sentiments for you,
+ and of my best wishes for your good success in all your undertakings.
+ I believe you can do no better but to keep strictly to the rules you
+ have laid down for your conduct, and I don't doubt but you'll find it
+ will answer the best to your purpose.
+
+ I am very much oblig'd to you, Dear Sir, for the kind offers you make
+ in your friendly letter.  I have desir'd already Mr Suard to bring over
+ a few books lately published in your metropolis.  I am very glad to hear
+ that Gentleman is pleas'd with his journey.
+
+ There's no possibility of getting for you a compleat sett of Callots
+ engravings.  Such a collection must be the business of many years; it
+ is to be found only after the decease of some curious men who have taken
+ a great deal of trouble to collect them.  I found indeed in two shops 8
+ or 10 of them, but the proofs (les épreuves) were very indifferent and
+ they wanted to sell them excessively dear; in general 200 guineas would
+ procure a collection very far from being compleat.
+
+ My wife and all our common acquaintence desire their best compliments
+ to you and to Miss Wilkes and you know the sentiments wherewith I am
+ for ever
+ Dear Sir
+  your affectionate friend and
+  very humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30871, p. 16)
+ PARIS the 19th of March 1770
+
+ <i>Dear Sir</i>
+
+ I receiv'd with a due sense of gratitude the favour of your last
+ letter, and was overjoy'd to hear from yourself that your long
+ confinement has not been able hitherto to obstruct the lively flow
+ of your spirits.  A little more patience and you'll reach the end
+ of all your misfortunes, that have been faithfully partaken by your
+ friends in England and abroad, for my own part I wish most sincerely
+ that everything for the future may turn to your profit and welfare,
+ without hurting that of your country, to whom, as a lover of mankind,
+ I am a well wisher.
+
+ My wife desires her best compliments to you and your beloved Daughter,
+ whom we both expect to see again with a great deal of pleasure in
+ this country next month.  Notwithstanding our bad circumstances we
+ are making very great preparations for the Wedding of the Dauphin,
+ and our metropolis begins already to be filled with foreigners that
+ flock hither from all parts of the world.  Our friend Mr D'Alainville
+ is to set out at the end of April to fetch the Archdutchess at
+ Strasbourg and bring mask (ed) (?) her different stages on the road
+ to Versailles.
+
+ We have no news in the literary world except that Voltaire
+ is become lately <i>le père temporal</i>, that is to say the benefactor
+ of the <i>Capucins du pays de Gex</i> where he lives, a title of which
+ all his pranks seemd to exclude him, but grace you know, is omnipotent,
+ and monks are not over nice when there is something to be got by
+ their condescension.
+
+ If the hurry of affairs whould leave you any moments to read
+ curious books I would advise you to peruse two very strange
+ works lately publish'd viz <i>Recherches philosophiques sur les
+ américains</i>, le <i>Système de la Nature</i> par Mirabaud.  I suppose
+ you'll find them cheaper and more easily in London that at
+ Paris.
+
+ All your late acquaintances in this Town desire me to present
+ you with their sincere compliments and best wishes; as to mine
+ you know that they have no other object but your Welfare.
+
+ I am, Dear Sir, for ever
+  your most affectionate friend
+  and humble servant
+  D'HOLBACH
+
+ P. S. I'll be very much oblig'd to you for sending over to me in
+ 2 vol. small octavo.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH TO WILKES
+ (Wilkes, Correspondence, London, 1805, Vol. 4, p. 176)
+ PARIS, April 27; 1775
+
+ "<i>My Lord</i>,
+
+ "I received with the utmost gratitude your lordship's friendly
+ letter of the 28th of March. (1775?)  I should have done
+ myself the honor of answering sooner to your kind propositions,
+ if I had not been prevented by some gouty infirmities that have
+ assailed in the beginning of this spring.  I esteem myself very
+ happy to find that the hurry of business, and your exhaltation
+ to the rank of chief-magistrate, could not make you forget your
+ friendship to me; though my present circumstances do not permit
+ me to make use of your friendly invitation, be persuaded my very
+ dear lord that Madame D'Holbach and myself shall forever keep
+ these signs of your kindness, in very grateful remembrance.
+
+ We both desire our best compliments to your very amiable
+ lady-mayoress: who acted so well her part lately in the Egyptian
+ hall, to the satisfaction of that prodigious crowd you have
+ been entertaining there.  All members of our society that have
+ had the happiness of being acquainted with you, desire to be
+ kindly remembered; and a continuation of your valuable friendship
+ shall for ever be the utmost ambition
+  my lord
+  of your most sincerely devoted
+  D'HOLBACH"
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ GALIANI To HOLBACH
+ (Galiani, Corresp., Vol. I, p. 199)
+ NAPLES, le 21 juillet, 1770
+
+ <i>Bonjour, mon cher Baron,</i>
+
+ J'ai vu le <i>Système de la Nature</i>.  C'est la ligne où finit la
+ tristesse de la morne et sèche vérité, au-delà commence la gaieté
+ du roman.  Il n'y a rien de mieux que de se persuader que les dés
+ sont pipés: cette idée en enfante milles autres, et un nouveau
+ monde se régénère.  Le M. Mirabaud est un vrai abbé Terray
+ de la métaphysique.  Il fait des réductions, des suspensions,
+ et cause la banqueroute du savoir, du plaisir et de l'esprit
+ humain.  Mais vous allez me dire qu'aussi il y avait trop de
+ nonvaleurs: on était trop endetté, il courait trop de papiers non
+ réels sur la place.  C'est vrai aussi, et voilà pourquoi la crise
+ est arrivée.
+
+ Adieu, mon cher baron.  Ecrivez-moi de longues lettres, pour que
+ le plaisir en soit plus grand.  Embrassez moi longuement la
+ baronne, et soyez longue dans tout que vous faites, dans tout
+ ce que vous patientez, dans tout ce que vous espérer.  La
+ longanimité est une belle vertu; c'est elle qui me fait espérer
+ de revoir Paris.
+  Adieu.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ HOLBACH To GALIANI
+ (Critica, Vol. I, 1903, p. 489)
+
+ GRANDVAL, le 25 d'août 1770
+
+ <i>Bonjour, mon très délicieux abbé,</i>
+
+ J'ai bien reçu votre très-précieuse lettre du 21 de juillet qui
+ m'accuse la réception de celle que je vous avais écrite le 3 de
+ juin.  Je vois que celle-ci a été longtemps en route, attendu
+ que M. Torcia à qui M. Diderot s'était chargé de la remettre, a
+ encore traînassé quelque temps à Paris, suivant la louable
+ coutume des voyageurs qui nous quittent toujours avec peine.
+
+ Je suis bien aise que vous ayez lu le livre de Mirabaud qui fait
+ un bruit affreux dans ce pays.  L'abbé Bergier l'a déjà
+ réfuté très-longuement et sa réponse paraîtra cet hiver.  La
+ Sorbonne est, dit-on, occupée à détruire ce maudit <i>Système</i> qui
+ lui paraît au moins hérétique.  Voltaire lui-même se prépare
+ à le pulvériser; en attendant nos seigneurs du Parlement y
+ viennent d'y répondre par des fagots, ainsi qu'à quelque autres
+ ouvrages de même trempe.  Ce qu'il y a de fâcheux c'est que
+ l'ouvrage de V. qui a pour titre <i>Dieu et les hommes</i> a été
+ enveloppé dans la même condamnation, ce qui doit déplaire
+ souverainement à l'auteur.  Je me rappelle à cette occasion ce
+ que M. Hume dit d'un catholique que Henri VIII fit conduire au
+ bûcher avec quelques hérétiques, et dont le seul chagrin était
+ d'être brûlé en si mauvaise compagnie.  Nonobstant toutes ces
+ réfutations, il parait tous les jours quelques nouveaux ouvrages
+ impies, au point que je suis très surpris que la récolte ait été
+ si bonne dans le royaume.  En dernier lieu on vient de publier un
+ ouvrage sous le titre de <i>Droit des souverains sur les biens du
+ clergé</i>, qui, sans contenir des impiétés n'en est pas moins déplaisant
+ pour cela: Il va droit à la cuisine, et veut que pour liquider
+ la dette nationale on vende tous les biens ecclésiastiques et
+ que l'on met nos pontifes à la pension.  Vous sentez qu'une
+ proposition si mal sonnante n'a pu manquer de mettre le ciel en
+ courroux; sa colère s'est déchargé sur cinq ou six libraires et
+ colporteurs qui ont été mis en prison.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      [ENDNOTES]
+    </h2>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ [1:1] Diderot, <i>Oeuvres</i>, ed. Assézat et Tourneaux, Vol. XX, p. 28.
+
+ [2:2] Grimm, <i>Corr. Lit.</i>, Vol. XV, p. 421.
+
+ [3:3] Diderot, <i>Oeuvres</i>, Vol. XX, p. 95.
+
+ [3:4] Among the most important are Damiron J. P., <i>Mémoires pour
+ servir à l'histoire de la philosophie au dix-huitième siècle</i> (Paris,
+ 1858, 3 vols., 8vo); Lange, <i>Geschichte des Materialismus</i> (Eng. tr.,
+ Boston, 1877); Morley, <i>Diderot and the Encyclopedists</i> (N. Y., 1891,
+ 2 vols., 12mo); Plekhanow, G., <i>Beiträge zur Geschichte des Materialismus</i>
+ (Stuttgart, 1896); Hancock, A. E., <i>The French Revolution and the
+ English Poets</i> (N. Y., 1899); Tallentyre, <i>The Friends of Voltaire</i>
+ (London, 1906); Fabre, <i>Les Pères de la Révolution</i> (Paris, 1910), etc.
+
+ [5:5] Confessions, <i>Oeuvres</i>, Vol. XXIV, p. 338.
+
+ [5:6] Bib. Nat. mss. <i>Pièces originales,</i> 1529, d'Holbach, 34, 861.
+
+ [6:7] Carlyle, Rev. Dr. A., <i>Autobiography</i>, ed. Burton, Boston, 1861,
+ p. 137 sq. for Holbach's English friends mentioned in his letters to
+ Wilkes.
+
+ [12:9] See Chap. II and Bibliography, Pt. I, for these and his other works.
+
+ [12:10] Grimm <i>Cor. Lit.</i>, Vol. II, p. 283.
+
+ [12:11] <i>Gazette de France</i>, Aug. 10, 1754.
+
+ [12:12] Jal, <i>Dict. Critique</i>, p. 685.
+
+ [13:13] His career is somewhat doubtful.  He travelled in Italy in 1779
+ and Abbé Galiani, an old friend of Holbach's, got a very agreeable
+ impression of him.  John Wilkes, in a letter to his daughter in 1781,
+ seems to imply that he had not turned out very well, and hopes that the
+ baron's second son will make good the deficiencies of the first.  In
+ 1806 he published a translation of Weiland's <i>Oberon</i> or <i>Huon de
+ Bordeaux</i> which went thru another edition in 1825, but those are the
+ only details that have come to light.
+
+ [13:14] Diderot, in writing to Mlle Volland Sep. 17, 1760 says: "On
+ nourrit, à Chenvières, les deux filles de Madame d'Holbach.  L'aînée
+ est belle comme un chérubin; c'est un visage rond, de grands yeux
+ bleus, des levres fines, une bouche riante, la peau la plus blanche
+ et la plus animée, des cheveux châtains qui ceignent un très joli
+ front.  La cadette est un peloton d'embonpoint où l'on ne distingue
+ encore que du blanc et du vermillon."
+
+ [13:15] Gazette de France, June 1, 1781.
+
+ [14:16] Holbach's intendant was [a] Jew, Berlise.  After his death several
+ of his old servants Vincent, David, and Plocque, contested Holbach's will,
+ in which they thought they were legatees.  The case was in the courts
+ for several years and was finally decided against them.  Douarche,
+ <i>Les tribunaux civil de Paris pendant la révolution</i>, Paris, 1905, Vol. I.,
+ pp. 141, 261, 325, 689.
+
+ [14:17] Avézac-Lavigne, <i>Diderot</i>, p. 5.
+
+ [15:18] <i>Critica</i>, Vol. I, p. 48, note.
+
+ [15:19] He met Voltaire in Paris in 1778, however, and Naigeon relates
+ that Voltaire greeted him very cordially and said that he had long
+ desired to make his acquaintance.
+
+ [15:20] Collignon, <i>Diderot</i>, p. 1.
+
+ [16:21] Avézac-Lavigne, <i>Diderot</i>, p. 75, note.
+
+ [16:22] Romilly, <i>Memoirs</i>, Vol. I, p. 179.
+
+ [16:23] Diderot, <i>Oeuvres</i>, Vol. I, p. lxvi, note.
+
+ [17:24] Journal de Paris, Dec. 2, 1789.
+
+ [17:25] See appendix, p. 73, p. 77.
+
+ [18:26] See appendix, p. 71.
+
+ [19:27] See appendix, p. 72.
+
+ [19:28] See p. 6 sq. and appendix pp. 75 sq.
+
+ [39:2] Barbier, <i>Dict.</i>, Vol. I, p. 175 sq.
+
+ [40:3] Barbier, Vol. I, p. xxxiii, note.
+
+ [40:4] <i>Oeuvres</i>, Vol. XVIII, p. 265.
+
+ [44:5] <i>Oeuvres</i>, Vol. XIV, p. 352.
+
+ [47:7] Middleton's translation, preface.
+
+ [47:8] Cf. p. 94. [Bibliography Part I]
+
+ [54:1] Morley, <i>Diderot</i>, Vol. II, p. 155.
+
+ [55:2] Later <i>Bon-sens</i> and <i>Théologie portative</i> were doomed to the
+ flames by the condemnations of Jan. 10, 1774, and February 16, 1776.
+
+ [55:3] <i>Système de la Nature</i>, ed. 1771, Vol. II, p. 496.
+
+ [56:4] Grimm, <i>Cor. Lit.</i>, Vol. IX, p. 167.
+
+ [56:5] Voltaire, <i>Oeuvres</i>, ed. Beuchot, Vol. LXVI, p. 404.  Subsequent
+ references to Voltaire are from this edition.
+
+ [56:6] Vol. LXVII, p. 265.
+
+ [56:7] Grimm, <i>Cor. Lit.</i>, Vol. IX, p. 90.
+
+ [57:8] Vol. LXVI, p. 432.
+
+ [57:9] Vol. LXVI, p. 563.
+
+ [57:10] Vol. LXVI, p. 386.
+
+ [58:11] Vol. LXVI, p. 394.
+
+ [58:12] Vol. XXVIII, p. 493.
+
+ [58:13] Vol. LXVI, p. 469.
+
+ [58:14] Goethe, <i>Wahrheit und Dichtung</i>, 11th Book, Goethe's <i>Werke</i>,
+ Stuttgart, Vol. 19, p. 55.
+
+ Auf philosophische Weise erleuchtet und gefödert zu werden, hatten
+ wir keinen Trieb noch Hang: über religiöse Gegenstände glaubten wir
+ uns selbst aufgeklärt zu haben, und so war der heftige Streit
+ französischer Philosophen mit dem Pfafftum uns ziemlich gleichgültig.
+ Verbotene, zurn Feuer verdaminte Bücher, welche damals grossen Lärmen
+ machten, übten keine Wirkung auf uns.  Ich gedenke statt aller des
+ <i>Système de la Nature</i>, das wir aus Neugier in die Hand nahmen.  Wir
+ begriffen nicht, wie ein solches Buch gefährlich sein könnte.  Es kam
+ uns so grau, so cimmerisch, so totenhaft vor, das wir Mühe hatten,
+ seine Gegenwart auszuhalten, dass wir davor wie vor einern Gespenste
+ schauderten.  Der Verfasser glaubt sein Buch ganz eigens zu empfehlen,
+ wenn er in der Vorrede versichert, dass er, als ein abgelebter Greis,
+ soeben in die Grube stiegend, der Mit- und Nachwelt die Wahrheit verkünden
+ wolle.  Wir lachten ihn aus: denn wir glaubten bemerkt zu haben, dass
+ von alten Leuten eigentlich an der Welt nichts geschätzt werde, was
+ liebenswürdig und gut an ihr ist.  "Alte Kirchen haben dunkle Gläser"
+ "Wie Kirschen und Beeren schmecken, muss mann Kinder und Sperlinge
+ fragen"&mdash;dies waren unsere Lust und Leibworte: und so schien uns jenes
+ Buch, als die rechte Quintessenz der Greisenheit, unschmachhaft, ja
+ abgeschmackt Alles sollte notwendig sein und deswegen kein Gott.
+ "Könnte es denn aber nicht auch notwendig einen Gott geben?" fragten
+ wir.  Dabei gestanden wir freilich, das wir uns den Notwendigkeiten der
+ Tage und Nächte, der Jahrszeiten, der klirnatischen Einflusse, der
+ physichen und animalischen Zustände nicht wohl entziehen könnten: doch
+ fühlten wir etwas in uns, das als vollkommene Willkür erschien, und
+ wieder etwas, das sich mit dieser Willkür ins Gleichgewicht zu setzen
+ suchte.  Die Hoffnung, immer vernünftiger zu werden, uns von den aussern
+ Dingen, ja von uns selbst immer unabhängiger zu machen, konnten wir
+ nicht aufgeben.  Das Wort Freiheit klingt so schon, dass mann es nicht
+ entbehren könnte und wenn es einen Irrtum bezeichnete.
+
+ Keiner von uns hatte das Buch hinausgelesen; denn wir fanden uns in
+ der Erwartung getäuscht, in der wir es auf geschlagen hatten.
+ <i>System der Natur</i> ward angekündigt und wir hofften also wirklich
+ etwas von der Natur, unsere Abgötten, zu erfahren.  Physik und Chemie,
+ Himmels- und Erdbeschriebung, Naturgeschichte und Anatomie und so
+ manches andere hatte nun zeit Jahren und bis auf den letzten Tag uns
+ immer auf die geschmüchte grosse Welt hingeweisen, und wir hatten gern
+ von Sonnen und Sternen, von Planeten und Monden, von Bergen, Thälern,
+ Flüssen und Meeren und von allem, was dann lebt und webt, das Nähere
+ sowie das Allgemeinere erfahren.  Das hierbei wohl manches vorkommen
+ müsste, was dem gemeinen Menschen als schädlich, der Geistlichkeit als
+ gefährlich, dem Staat als unzulässig erschienen möchte, daran hatten wir
+ keinen Zweifel, und wir hofften, dieses Büchlein sollte nicht unwürdig
+ die Feuerprobe bestauden haben.  Allein wie hohl und leer ward uns in
+ deiser tristen Atheistischen Halbnacht zu Mute, in welcher die Erde mit
+ allen ihren Gebilden, der Himmel mit allen seinen Gestirnen verschwand!
+ Eine Materie sollte sein von Ewigkeit und von Ewigkeit her bewegt, und
+ sollte nun mit dieser Bewegung rechts und links und nach allen Seiten
+ ohne weiteres die unendlichen Phänomene des Daseins hervorbringen.
+ Dies alles wären wir sogar zufrieden gewesen, wenn der Verfasser
+ wirklich aus seiner bewegten Materie die Welt vor unsern Augen
+ aufgebaut hätte.  Aber er mochte von der Natur so wenig wissen als wir;
+ denn indem er einige allgemeine Begriffe hingepfahlt, verlässt er sie
+ sogleich, um dasjenige, was höher als die Natur oder als höhere
+ Natur in der Natur erschient, zur materiellen schweren, zwar bewegten,
+ aber doch richtungs- und gestaltlosen Natur zu verwandeln, und glaubt
+ dadurch recht viel gewonnen zu haben.  Wenn uns jedoch dieses Buch
+ einigen Schaden gebracht hat, so war es der, das wir allen
+ Philosophie, besonderers aber der Metaphysick recht herzlich gram
+ wurden, und bleiben, dagegen aber auf lebendige Wissen, Erfahren,
+ Thun und Dichten uns nur desto lebhafter und leidenschaftlicher hinwarfen.
+
+ [64:15] Vol. II, p. 261, ed. 1820.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_BIBL" id="link2H_BIBL">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      BIBLIOGRAPHY&mdash;PART I.
+    </h2>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ EDITIONS OF HOLBACH'S WORKS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ As the works of Holbach are not yet cataloged in the Bibliothèque
+ Nationale, the following list is doubtless incomplete.  The numbers
+ given are those of the Bibliothèque Nationale and the British Museum
+ where the books were used, except in cases where they were available
+ in Boston, New York or Washington.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ ABBREVIATIONS
+
+ B. N., Bibliothèque Nationale.
+ B. M., British Museum.
+ L. C., Library of Congress.
+ C. U., Columbia University.
+ H. U., Harvard University.
+ U. T. S., Union Theological Seminary.
+ G. T. S., General Theological Seminary.
+ A. T. S., Andover Theological Seminary.
+ N. Y., New York Public Library.
+ B. P., Boston Public Library.
+
+ Of about 120 editions consulted, C. U. had 13; U. T. S. 7; N. Y. 7;
+ H. U. 6; B. P. 5; L. C. 4; A. T. S. 3; G. T. S. I.  There are 20 or more
+ editions in existence that were not to be found in the library catalogs
+ consulted.
+
+ 1752.  Lettre à une dame d'un certain âge sur l'état présent de l'Opéra.
+ En Arcadie aux dépens de l'Académie Royale de Musique, (Paris, 8vo, pp. 11.)
+ B. M. 1103 b 21 (2).
+
+ 1752.  Arrêt rendu à l'amphithéâtre de l'Opéra, sur la plainte du
+ milieu du parterre intervenant dans la querelle des deux coins.
+ (Paris, 1752, 8vo, pp. 16.)
+ B. N. Yf 7726 (attributed to Diderot).
+
+ 1752.  Art de la Verrerie, De Neri, Merret et Kunckel; auquel on a
+ ajouté Le <i>Sol Sine Veste</i> D'Orschall; <i>L'Helioscopium videndi sine
+ veste solem Chymicum</i>; Le <i>Sol Non Sine Veste</i>: Le Chapitre XI du
+ <i>Flora Saturnizans</i> de Henckel, Sur la Vitrification des Végétaux;
+ Un Mémoire sur la manière de faire le Saffre; Le Secret des vraies
+ Porcelaines de la Chine et de Saxe; Ouvrages où l'on trouvera la
+ manière de faire le Verre et le Crystal, d'y porter des Couleurs,
+ d'imiter les Pierres Précieuses, de préparer et colorer les Emaux,
+ de faire la Potasse, de peindre sur le Verre, de préparer des Vernis,
+ de composer de Couvertes pour des Fayances et Poteries, d'extraire la
+ Couleur Pourpre de l'Or, de contrefaire les Rubis, de faire le Soffre,
+ de faire et peindre les Porcelaines, etc.  Traduits de l'Allemand Par
+ M. D... A Paris Durand, rue St. Jacques, au Griffon.  Pissot, Quai des
+ Augustins, à la Sagesse.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi (in quarto).
+  B. N. V. 11028.
+  C. U. A. n H 35 (Avery Library).
+
+ 1753.  Minéralogie, ou description générale des substances du règne
+ minéral.  Par Mr. Jean Gotshalk Wallerius, Professeur Royale de
+ Chymie, de Métallurgie et de Pharmacie dans l'Université d'Upsal,
+ de l'Académie Impériale des Curieux de la Nature.  Ouvrage traduit
+ de l'Allemand, A Paris, Chez Durand, rue S. Jacques, au Griffon.
+ Pissot, Quai de Conti, à la Croix d'Or, MDCCLII.  Avec Approbation
+ et Privilège du Roi (2 vols., 8vo, pp. xlvii + 569 + 284).  Followed
+ by (second title page) Hydrologie, ou description du règne aquatique,
+ divisés par classes, gendres, espèces et variétés, avec la manière de
+ faire l'essai des eaux (256 p.).
+  B. N., S. 1992 (2).
+  B. M. 987 h. 9-10.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (Paris, Herissant, Durand, 1759, 2 vols., 8vo.) N. Y., P. W. D.
+  H. U. Geol. 7257-59.
+  B. M. 970 h.l.
+
+ 1756.  Introduction à la Minéralogie; ou connoissance des eaux, des
+ sucs terrestres, des sels, des terres, des pierres, des minéraux, et
+ des métaux: avec une description abrégée des opérations de métallurgie.
+ Ouvrage posthume de M. J. F. Henckel, publié sous le titre de <i>Henckelius
+ in Mineralogiâ redivivus</i> et traduit de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Guillaume
+ Cavelier, Libraire, rue S. Jacques, au Lys d'Or.  MDCCLVI.  Avec Approbation
+ et Privilège du Roi.  (2 vols., 12vo, pp. lxxi + 204 + 371.)
+  B. N. 19930 (1).
+
+ 1758.  Chimie métallurgique, Dans laquelle on trouvera la Théorie et
+ la Pratique de cet Art.  Avec des Experiences sur la Densité
+ des Alliages des Métaux, et des demi-Métaux; et un Abrégé de
+ Docimastique.  Avec Figures.  Par M. C. E. Gellert, Conseiller
+ des Mines de Saxe et de l'Académie Imperiale de Petersbourg.
+ Ouvrages traduits de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Briasson, rue
+ Saint Jacques; Avec Approbation et Privelège.  (2 vols., 12mo,
+ pp. xii + 296 + xvii + 351.)
+  B. N., R. 37032 (3).
+
+ 1759.  Traités de physique, d'histoire naturelle, de minéralogie et de
+ métallurgie.  (Paris, 1759, 3 vols., 12mo.)  (General title.)
+  Tome I.  L'Art des Mines, ou Introduction aux connoissances
+ nécessaires pour l'exploitation des mines métalliques avec un traité
+ des exhalaisons minérales ou moufettes, et plusieurs mémoires sur
+ differens sujets d'Histoire Naturelle-Avec figures.  Par
+ M. Jean Gotlob Lehmann, Docteur en Médecine, Conseiller des
+ Mines de Sa Majesté Prussienne, de l'Académie Royale des
+ Sciences de Berlin et de celle des Sciences utiles de Mayence.
+ Traduit de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Jean Thomas Herrisant
+ MDCCLIX.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi.
+  Tome II.  Traité de la formation des métaux et de leurs
+ matrices ou minières, ouvrage fondé sur les principes de la
+ physique et de la minéralogie et confirmé par des expériences
+ chymiques.  Par M. J. G. Lehmann, etc.  Traduit de l'Allemand.
+  Tome III.  Essai d'une Histoire Naturelle des couches de la
+ terre.  Dans lequel on traite de leur formation, de leur situation,
+ des minéraux, des métaux et des fossiles qu'elles contiennent.
+ Avec des considerations physiques sur les causes des Tremblements
+ de Terre et de leur propagation.  Ouvrages traduits de l'Allemand,
+ et augmentés de Notes du Traducteur etc.
+  H. U., M, Z.
+  B. M. 990 c. 16-18.
+
+ 1759.  Les plaisirs de l'imagination, poème en trois chants, par
+ M. Akenside.  Traduit de l'anglais.  A Amsterdam, Arkstée et Merkus,
+ et se trouve à Paris chez Pissot, Quai de Conti MDCCLIX (8vo).
+  B. N. 2 ex. Yk 2362 et 2498.
+  B. M. 1162 f 20.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Les plaisirs de l'imagination, poème en trois chants, Par
+ Akenside, traduit de l'Anglais par le baron d'Holbach, augmenté de
+ Notes historiques et littéraires, de la vie de l'auteur et du Traducteur,
+ par Pissot.  Paris, Hubert MDCCCVI (1806-18vo).
+  B. N. Yk 2363.
+  B. M. 1065 b 20 (2).
+
+ 1760.  Pyritologie, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Pyrite, ouvrage dans
+ lequel on examine l'origine, la nature, les propriétés et les usages
+ de ce Minéral important, et de la plupart des autres Substances du même
+ Règne: on y a joint le Flora Saturnisans où L'Auteur dèmontre l'Alliance
+ qui se trouve entre les Végétaux et les Minéraux; et les Orpuscules
+ Minéralogiques, Qui comprennent un Traité de l'Appropriation, un Traité
+ de L'Origine des Pierres, plusieurs Mémoires sur la Chymie et l'Histoire
+ Naturelle, avec un Traité des Maladies des Mineurs et des Fondeurs.
+ Par M. Jean-Frederic Henkel, Docteur en Médicine, Conseiller des Mines
+ du Roi de Pologne, Electeur de Saxe; de l'Académie Imperiale des Curieux
+ de la Nature et de celle de Berlin.  Ouvrages Traduit de l'Allemand [by
+ Baron d'Holbach and M., Charas] à Paris, Chez jean Thomas Hérissant,
+ Libraire, Rue S. Jacques, à S. Paul et à S. Hilaire. MDCCLX.  Avec
+ Approbation et Privilège du Roi.  (Paris, 1760, quarto, pp. xvi + 524.)
+  B. N. 5324.
+  B. M. 34 c 15.
+
+ 1760.  Oeuvres Métallurgiques de M. Jean-Christian Orschall, Inspecteur
+ des Mines de S. A. S. le Land-grave de Hesse-Cassel.  Contenant
+ I. L'Art de la Fonderie; II. Un Traité de la Siquation;
+ III.  Le Traité de la Macération des Mines; IV. Le Traité
+ des Trois Merveilles; (Traduit de l'Allemand) Le prix est de 50
+ sols broché et de 3 liv. relié. A Paris, Chez Hardy, Libraire, rue
+ S. Jacques au dessus de celle de la Parcheminerie à la Colonne
+ d'Or.  MDCCLX.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi.
+ (12mo, pp. + 394.)
+  B. N., S 19,992.
+
+ 1764.  Recueil des mémoires les plus intéressants de chymie, et d'histoire
+ naturelle, contenus dans les actes de l'Académie d'Upsal, et dans les
+ Mémoires de l'Académie Royale des Sciences de Stockholm; Publiés depuis
+ 1720 jusqu'en 1760.  Traduits du Latin et de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez
+ Pierre-Fr. Didot, le jeune, Quai des Augustins, à S. Augustin.  MDCCLXIV.
+ Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi. (2 vols., 12mo, pp. viii + 687.)
+  B. N. R 15483 (4).
+
+ 1765.  Histoire du règne de la Reine Anne d'Angleterre, contenant Les
+ Négociations de la paix d'Utrecht, et les démêlés qu'elle occasionna
+ en Angleterre.  Ouvrage posthume du Docteur Jonathan Swift.  Doyen de
+ S. Patrice en Irelande: Publié sur un Manuscrit corrigé de la propre
+ main de l'Auteur, et traduit de l'Anglais par M... [d'Holbach and Eidous].
+ A Amsterdam, Chez Marc-Michel Rey, et Arkstée et Merkus. MDCCLXV.
+ (12mo, pp. xxiv + 416.)
+  B. N. 8vo Nc 1718.
+
+ 1766.  Traité du Soufre, ou Remarques sur la dispute qui s'est élevée
+ entre les chymistes, au sujet du Soufre, tant commun, combustible
+ ou volatil, que fixe, etc.  Traduit de l'Allemand de Stahl.
+ A Paris, Chez Pierre-Francois Didot, le jeune.  Quai de
+ Augustins à Saint-Augustin.  MDCCLXVI.  Avec Approbation
+ et Privilège du Roi.  (12mo, pp. 392.)
+  B. N., R 51709.
+  B. M. 233 b 15.
+
+ 1766.  L'Antiquité dévoilée par ses usages, ou Examen critique des
+ principales Opinions, Cérémonies et Institutions réligieuses et
+ politiques des différens Peuples de la Terre.  Par feu M., Boulanger.
+ Homo, quod rationis est particeps, consequentiam cernit causas rerum
+ videt, earumque progressus et quasi antecessiones non ignorat,
+ similitudines compare, rebus praesentibus adjungit at anectit futuras.
+ &mdash;Cicero, De Offic. Lib. I. C. 4.
+ A Amsterdam, Chez Marc-Michel Rey, MDCCLXVI. (Quarto pp. viii + 412.)
+  B. N., E 690.
+  C. U., A P. B 66 (Avery Library).
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (1766, 3 vols., 12mo.)
+  B. N. *E 2446-2448.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (1772, 3 Vols., (12mo.)
+  B. N. *E 2445 (VIII).
+  B. M. 4506 a 1.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (Amsterdam, 1777, 3 vols., 12mo, pp. lx + 355 + 391 + 396.)
+  B. M. 696 b 35.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  In Oeuvres de Boulanger T. I-IV En Suisse.
+ De l'Imprimerie Philosophique MDCCXCI. (4 vols., (12mo.)
+  B. N., Z 24316-24319.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  In <i>Oeuvres de Boulanger</i> T. I-II Amsterdam.
+ (Paris, 2 vols., 8vo.) (Quérard.)
+
+ 1767.  Le Christianisme dévoilé, ou Examen des principes et des effets
+ de la religion Chrétienne.  Par feu M. Boulanger.  Superstitio error
+ infanus est, amandos timet, quos colit violat; quid enim interest,
+ utrum Deos neges, an infames?  Senec. Ep. 12.
+ A Londres, MDCCLVI (Nancy, Leclerc, 1761, 8vo, pp. xxviii + 295).
+  B. N., D2 5305.
+  B. M. 4016 bb 6.
+  B. M., C 2863 (another copy with MS. notes by Voltaire).
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (Londres, 1767, 8vo, pp. xx + 236.)  Printed at John Wilkes'
+ private press in George St. Westminster, according to MS. note in
+ title page.
+  B. M. 4017 de. 13.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (Londres, 1767, 8vo, pp. 244.)
+  A. T. S. 6 11.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (A Paris, Chez les Libraires Associés, 1767, 8vo,
+ pp. xvii + 218.)
+  B. N., D2 8364.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  (Londres [Amsterdam], 1767, 12mo.)
+  B. M. 696 b 34
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Oeuvres de Boulanger T. VII.  (En Suisse de l'Imprimerie
+ philosophique, 1791, 12mo.)
+  B. N., Z 23421.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Oeuvres de Boulanger T. V, 1793.
+
+ &mdash;Christianity Unveiled; being an examination of the principles and
+ effects of the Christian Religion, from the French of Boulanger,
+ Author of <i>Researches into the Origin of Oriental Despotism</i>, by
+ W. M. Johnson. New York, 1795, printed at the Columbian Press by
+ Robertson and Gowan for the editor and sold by the principal book
+ sellers in the United States. (12mo, pp. ix + 238.)
+  B. M. 4017 de 4.
+  B. M. 900 i. 1, (7) another copy with MS. Notes.
+  B. P.... 7490 a 22.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  London, printed and published by R. Carlile, 55 Fleet St.
+ 1819 (8vo, pp. 98.)
+  B. M. 4016 d. 13.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  The Deist, etc. Vol. II, published by R. Carlile, 1819.
+ (8vo, pp. vii + 125.)
+  B. M. 4015 f 11.
+
+ &mdash;El Cristianismo a descurbierto, ó examen de los principios y efectos
+ de la religion cristiana.  Escrito en Francés por Boulanger y traducido
+ al castellano por S. D. V.... Londres en la emprenta de Davidson, 1821.
+ (12mo, pp. xxvi + 246.)
+  B. M. 4016 df 6.
+
+ 1767.  L'Esprit du clergé, ou Le Christianisme primitif vengé des
+ entreprises et des excès de nos Prêtres modernes.  Traduit de
+ l'Anglois à Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVII (2 vols. 8vo,
+ pp. 2 + 10 + 240).
+  B. M. pp. 54.
+
+ 1767.  De l'imposture sacerdotale, ou Recueil de Pièces sur le Clergé.
+ Traduites de l'Anglois. Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVII.
+ (12mo, pp. 144.)
+  B. N., D2 8368 (7).
+
+  Contains, Tableau fidèle des papes.  <i>Traduit d'une Brochure
+  Anglaise</i> de M. Davisson, Publie sous le titre de <i>a true picture
+  of Popery</i>, pp. 1-35.
+
+  De l'insolence pontificale, ou des Prétentions ridicules du
+  Pape et des Flatteurs de la Cour de Rome.  <i>Extrait de la
+  Profession de Foi du célèbre Giannone</i>, par. M. Davisson, pp. 36-54.
+
+  Sermon.  Sur les fourberies et les impostures du Clergé
+  Romain, <i>Traduit de l'Anglois sur une Brochure publiée à
+  Londres en 1735</i> par M. Bourn Birmingham, Sous le titre de
+  <i>Popery a Craft</i>, pp. 55-84.
+
+  Le Prêtrianisme opposé au Christianisme.  Ou la Religion
+  des Prêtres comparée à celle de Jésus-Christ, ou examen de la
+  différence qui se trouve entre les Apôtres et les Membres du
+  Clergé moderne.  <i>Publié en Anglois en 1720 sous le titre de</i>
+  Priestanity.  Or a View of the disparity between the Apostles
+  and the Modern Clergy, pp. 85-108.
+
+  Des Dangers de l'Eglise, <i>Traduit de Anglois sur une Brochure
+  Publiée eu 1719</i>.  Par M., Thomas Gordon, Sous le titre
+  d'<i>Apology for the danger of the Church</i>, etc., pp. 109-128.
+
+  Le Simbole d'un Laïque, ou Profession de Foi d'un homme
+  désintéressé.  Traduit de l'Anglois de M. Gordon, Sur une
+  brochure publiée en 1720.  Sous le titre de <i>the creed of an
+  independent Whig</i>, pp. 129-144.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Published under title De La Monstruosité pontificale, ou
+ Tableau fidèle des Papes.  <i>Traduit de l'Anglois</i> Londres
+ MDCCLXXII.  (16vo, pp. 55.)
+  B. N., H. 19859.
+
+ 1768.  Examen des Prophéties qui servent de fondement à la religion
+ chrétienne, avec un Essai de critique sur les Prophètes et les
+ Prophéties en général.  Ouvrages traduits de l'Anglois.
+ Londres MDCCLXVIII.  (8vo, pp. 234.)
+  B. N., D2 5190.
+  B. M. 4017 de 18.
+
+ Contains, Discours sur les fondements de la religion chrétienne, pp. 1-111.
+
+ Extrait De l'Ouvrage qui a pour titre: Examen du Septème de ceux
+ qui prétendent que les Prophéties se sont accomplies à la lettre.
+ The Scheme of literal Prophecy considered, etc., 1727. (8vo, pp. 118-234.)
+
+ 1768.  David, ou l'Histoire de l'homme selon le coeur de Dieu, ouvrage
+ traduit de l'Anglois.  Saül, et David, tragédie en 5 actes d'après
+ l'Anglois.... (Londres, 1768, 8vo.)
+  B. N. 3 ex. LD2 5194, Hz 1542, et Rès Z. Beuchot 798 (2).
+  B. M. 4014 a 67 (1).
+
+ 1768.  Les Prêtres démasqués, ou des iniquités du clergé chrétien.
+ Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.  Londres.  MDCCLXVIII.
+ (16vo, pp. 180.)
+  B. N., D2 4639.
+  B. M. 4017 de 29.
+
+ 1768.  Lettres philosophiques, sur l'origine des Préjugés, du Dogme de
+ l'Immortalité de l'Ame, de l'Idolâtrie et de la Superstition; sur
+ le Système de Spinoza et sur l'origine du mouvement dans la
+ matière.  Traduites de l'Anglois de J. Toland.
+
+  Opinionum commenta delet dies, naturae judicia confirmat.
+  Cicero, de Nat. Deor. lib. II.  A Londres (Amsterdam). 1768.
+  MDCCLXVIII. (8vo, pp. 267.)
+   B. N., D2 5203.
+   B. M. 4015 de 48.
+
+  Containing, Préface ou Lettre à un ami, en lui envoyant les
+  Dissertations suivantes, dans laquelle l'Auteur rend compte des
+  motifs qui les ont fait écrire. (pp. 12-26.)
+
+  Première Lettre.  De L'origine et de la Force de ces Préjugés.
+  (pp. 27-44.)
+
+  Seconde Lettre.  Histoire du dogme de l'Immortalité de
+  l'Ame Chez les Payens. (pp. 45-93.)
+
+  Troisième Lettre.  Sur l'origine de l'Idolâtrie et sur les
+  fondements de la Religion Payenne. (pp. 94-152.)
+
+  Quartrième Lettre.  A un Gentilhomme Hollandois pour lui
+  prouver que le système de Spinoza est dépourvu de fondements
+  et pèche dans ses principes. (pp. 154-186.)
+
+  Cinquième Lettre.  Dans laquelle on prouve que le mouvement
+  est essentiel à la Matière; en réponse à quelques remarques
+  qui ont été faites à l'Auteur au sujet de sa réfutation du
+  Système de Spinoza.
+
+  Nunc quae mobilitas fit reddita Materiaë Corporibus paucis
+  licet hinc cognoscere, Memmi.  Lucret., lib. II, vers 142.
+  (pp. 187-267.)
+
+ 1768.  Théologie portative, ou Dictionnaire Abrégé de la Religion
+ Chrétienne.  Par Mr. l'Abbé Bernier, Licencié en Théologie.
+
+ Audite hoc Sacerdotes, et attendite Domus Israël, et Domus
+ Regis auscultate; quia vobis Judicium est, quoniam Laquens
+ facti estis Speculationi et rete expansum super Thabor. Osée,
+ Chap. V, Vers. I.  Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXVIII (1767),
+ (12mo, pp. 243).
+  B. N., D2 14334.
+  B. M. 703 a 25.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid. Londres (Suisse), 1768.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  A Rome, MDCCLXXV (8vo, pp. 213).
+  B. N., D2 8370.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Augmentée d'un Volume.  A Rome, avec permission et privilège
+ du Conclave.  (2 vols., 12mo (1776).)
+  B. N., D2 8371.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Under title.  Manuel Théologique, en form de Dictionnaire.
+ Ouvrage très utile aux personnes des deux sexes pour le salut de leurs
+ âmes, par l'abbé Bernier etc.  Rome, 1785 Au Vatican de l'Imprimerie du
+ Conclave. (2 vols., 8vo.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  1802.
+
+ 1768.  Le Militaire philosophe, ou Difficultés sur la Religion,
+ proposées au R. P. Malebranche, Prêtre de l'Oratoire.  Par un ancien
+ Officier.  Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVIII.  (8vo, pp. 193.)
+  C. U. 201 N 14.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  1770 (8vo).
+  B. M. 4015 bb 32.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  1776 (8vo).
+  B. M. 4015 de 34.
+  (Last chapter by d'Holbach.)
+
+ 1768.  La Contagion sacrée, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Superstition.
+ Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.  <i>Prima mali labes</i>.  Londres
+ (Amsterdam), MDCCLXVII. (2 vols. in 1, 8vo.)
+  B. N., D2 5195.
+  C. U. 194 H 69 P.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Avec des notes relatives aux Circonstances.  Nouvelle
+ Edition.  A Paris, de l'Imprimerie de Lemaire, rue d'Enfer no. 141,
+ An 5 de la Republique (1797).  (2 vols. in 1, 8vo, pp. 179-190.)
+  U. T. S. 441
+  B. H. 723 C.
+
+ &mdash;El Contagion sagrado, ó Historia natural de la supersticion.
+ Paris, Rodriguez, 1822.  (2 vols., 8vo.)  (Quérard.)
+
+ 1768.  Lettres à Eugénia, ou Préservatif contre les préjugés... arctis
+ Relligionum animos nodis exsolvere pergo.&mdash;Lucret. de rer. nat., Lib. 4,
+ v. 6-7.  A Londres, MDCCLXVIII. (2 vols., 8vo, pp. xii + 188 + 167)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Oeuvres de Nicolas Fréret, T. I, pp. 1-359. Paris, 1792.  (8vo.)
+  H. U. 19-30, vol. I.
+
+ &mdash;Cartas á Eugenia, por Mr. Freret.  Paris.  Imprenta de F. Didot,
+ 1810 (8vo, pp. viii + 358).
+  B. M. 4015 de 23.
+
+ &mdash;Letters to Eugenia on the absurd, contradictory and demoralizing
+ Dogmas and Mysteries of the Christian Religion.  Now first translated
+ from the French of Fréret, but supposed to be written by Baron Holbach,
+ author of the System of Nature, Christianity Unveiled, Common Sense,
+ Universal Morality, Natural Morality.  R. Carlile, The Deist, etc.,
+ Vol. II, 1819, etc.  (8vo, pp. 185.)
+  B. M. 4015 f. 11.
+
+ &mdash;Cartas à Eugenia.  Madrid, 1823, por Don Benito Cano.  2v.
+  N. Y., Z F F.
+
+ &mdash;Letters to Eugenia on the absurd, contradictory and demoralizing
+ Dogmas and Mysteries of the Christian Religion, by Baron d'Holbach,
+ New York, published by H. M. Dubecquet, No. 190
+ William Street, 1833.  (12vo, pp. 236.)
+  U. T. S. 326 B.
+
+ &mdash;Letters to Eugenia etc., translated by Anthony C. Middleton,
+ M.D. Boston, Josiah P. Mendum, 1857.
+  B. P. 5484 2.
+
+ 1769.  De la Cruauté religieuse.  A Londres, MDCCLXIX. (16vo, pp. 228.)
+  B. N., D2 8365.
+  B. M. 4017 aa 25.
+  U. T. S. H 723.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Amsterdam, 1775, 12vo.
+
+ 1769.  Le la Tolérance dans la Religion, ou de la Liberté de conscience
+ par Crellius.  L'Intolérance convaincue de crime et de folie.
+ Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois, Londres, MDCCLXIX.  (12vo, pp. 174.)
+
+  Contains De la Tolérance dans la religion, ou de la liberté de
+  conscience (Crellius).
+
+  De l'Intolérance dans la Religion (d'Holbach), p. 88.
+
+  Enfer détruit ou Examen Raisonné du Dogme de l'Eternité
+  des peines.  Ouvrages, tr. de L'Anglois à Londres, MDCCLXIX, p. 1.
+
+  Dissertation critique sur les tourmens de l'enfer.  Traduit de
+  L'Anglois, p. 96 (by Whitefoot).
+   B. N., D2 5154.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Hell destroyed!  Now first translated from the French of
+ d'Alembert without any mutilations.  London.  Printed and published
+ by J. W. Trust, 126 Newgate St., 1823. (8vo, pp. 47.)
+ (Followed by Whitefoot's Torments of Hell, "now first translated
+ from the French," to p. 83.)
+
+ 1770.  L'Esprit du judaïsme, ou Examen raisonné de la Loi de Moyse,
+ et de son influence sur la Religion Chrétienne.
+  Atque utinam nunquam Judaea sub acta fuisset Pompeii
+  bellis, imperioque Titi.
+  Latius excisae pestes contagie serpunt, Victoresques suos
+  natio victa premit.  Rutilius, Itinerar.  Lia I, vs. 394, Londres,
+  MDCCLXX. (12mo, pp. xxii + 201.)
+   B. N., D2 5191.
+   B. M. 4034 bb 38.
+
+ 1770.  Examen critique de la vie et des ouvrages de saint Paul, Avec
+ une dissertation sur saint Pierre par feu M. Boulanger.
+ Londres, 1770 (8vo), (by Peter Annet).
+  B. N. 3ex. [D2 5349 (2) 8367 et H. 7551].
+  B. M. 48o8 aa 7.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Nouvelle Edition, Londres, 1790. (8vo.)
+  B. N. [H 13032].
+
+ &mdash;Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul.  Translated from
+ the French of Boulanger.  "Paul, thou art beside thyself, much
+ learning doth make thee mad."  Acts, chap, 26, v 24.  London.
+ Printed and published by R. Carlile, 5 Water Lane, Fleet St.,
+ 1823.  (8vo, pp. 72.)
+  B. M. 4372 h g (4).
+
+ 1770.  Histoire critique de Jésus-Christ, ou Analyse raisonnée
+ des Evangiles.  Ecce Homo.
+ Pudet me humani generis, cuius mentis et aures talia ferre
+ potuerunt.  S. Augustin. (No date [Amsterdam, 1770?], 16mo,
+ pp. viii + xxxii + 298.)
+  B. N, 7,549.
+  B. M. 4017 a. 45.
+  U. T. S. 465 H 723.
+
+ &mdash;Ecce Homo! or a critical enquiry into the history of Jesus Christ,
+ being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels.  Edinburg, 1799.
+
+ &mdash;Ecce Homo! or a critical enquiry into the history of Jesus Christ,
+ being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels.  (2d ed.) London, 1813.
+ Printed, published and sold by D. I. Easton.
+  G. T. S. 232 G. H. 69.
+
+ &mdash;Historia critica de Jesus Christo, o anáilisis razonado le los
+ evangelios.  Traducida del Frances, por el P. F. de T, ex-jesuita.
+ Ecce Homo.  Vel. aqui el hombre.  S. Juan, cap. 19,
+
+ v. 5. Londres, en la imprenta de Davidson, 1822.  (2 vols., 12mo,
+ pp. xiii + 200 + 280.)
+
+ Contains Advertencia del Traductor.
+
+ 1770.  Tableau des Saints, ou examen de l'esprit, de la conduite, des
+ maximes, et du mérite des personnages que le Christianisme révère et
+ propose pour modèles.
+ Hoc admonere simplices etiam potest,
+ Opinione alterius ne quid ponderent;
+ Ambitio namque diffidens mortalium
+ Aut gratiae subscribunt, aut odio suo;
+ Erit ille nottis, quem per te cognoveris.
+ Phaed., Lib. III, Fab. 10.
+
+ A Londres, MDCCLXX.  (2 Vols., 12mo, pp. xxviii + 280 + 286.)
+  B. N., H 7,552.
+  B. M. 4,824 a a a a 27.
+
+ 1770.  Recueil philosophique, ou Mélange de Pièces sur la Religion et
+ la Morale.  Par différents Auteurs (ed. Naigeon).
+
+ Ovando enim ista observans quieto et libero animo esse poteris,
+ ut ad vem gerendam non Superstionem habeas, sed Rationem ducem.
+ &mdash;Cicero, de Divinat., Lib. 2.  Londres, MDCCLXX.  (2 vols., 12mo.)
+  B. N., D2 5309.
+
+  Vol. I, p. 129 (VI), Réflexions sur les Craintes de la Mort.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 34 (IX), Dissertation sur l'Immortalité de l'âme.
+  Traduite de l'Anglais.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 50 (X), Dissertation sur le suicide.  Traduit de l'Anglais.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 70 (XI).  Problème important.  La Religion est
+  elle nécessaire à la Morale et utile à la Politique?  Par M.
+  Mirabaud.
+
+  Vol. II, p. 125 (XIII).  Extrait d'un Ecrit Anglais qui a pour
+  titre <i>le christianisme aussi ancien que le monde</i>.
+
+ 1770.  Essai sur les préjugés, ou, De l'influence des opinions sur les
+ moeurs et sur le bonheur des hommes.  Ouvrage contenant l'apologie
+ de la philosophie par Mr. D. M.
+
+ Assiduite quotidiana et consuetudine oculorum assuescunt animi,
+ neque admirantur, neque requerunt rationes earum rerum quas vident.
+ &mdash;Cicero de Nat. Deorum, Lib. II.  Londres, MDCCLXX. (8vo, pp. 394.)
+  B. N., R 20 553.
+  B. M. 8463 b b b 16.
+  H. U. Phil. 264840.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris Desray an 1 (1792).  (2 vols., 8vo, Cortina.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Oeuvres de Dumarsais. Paris, Pougin, 1797.  T. VI
+ 8vo, pp. 43-352.
+  B. N., Z 23766-72.
+  H. U. 9578 13 VI.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, Niogret, 1822.
+  C. U. 3045 D 89.
+
+ &mdash;Essayo sobre las preocupaciones ó del influjo de las opiniones
+ en las costumbres y felicidad de las hombres.  Por Dumarsais.
+ En Paris.  Hallase en la casa de Rosa, Librero.  Gran pacio del
+ Palacio Real.  1823.  (8vo, pp. 391.)
+  B. N., R 34,366.
+
+ &mdash;(Bibliothèque Nationale. Collection des meilleurs auteurs
+ anciens et modernes.)  Dumarsais.  Essai sur les Préjugés.
+ Précédé d'un Discours préliminaire et d'un Précis historique de
+ la vie de Dumarsais par le citoyen Daube.  Paris.  Librairie de
+ la Bibliothèque Nationale.  Rue de Richelieu 8, Près le
+ Théâtre Francais. Ci-devant rue de Valois 1886.  Tous droits
+ resérvés (25 centimes).
+  B. N. 8vo R. 15952.
+
+ 1770.  Système de la Nature, ou Des Loix du Monde Physique et du
+ Monde Moral. Par M. Mirabaud, Secrétaire Perpétuel et l'un
+ des Quarante de l'Académie Française.
+
+ Natura rerum vis atque majestas in omnibus momentis fide
+ caret, si quis modè partes ejus, ac non totam complectatur
+ animo.&mdash;Plin. Hist., Lib. VII. Londres, MDCCLXX.
+ (2 vols., 8vo, pp. 370 + 412.)
+  B. M. 4017 f 32
+  U. T. S. 321 H 7235.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid, Londres, MDCCLXX. (Second edition, 2 Vols., in 8vo,
+ pp. 366 + 408.)
+  B. M., D2 5166-5167.
+ Contains Discours préliminaire de l'Auteur (pp. 16).  Avis de
+ l'Editeur. Préface de l'Auteur, etc.
+
+ &mdash;Abrégé du Code de la Nature, par M., Mirabaud, Secrétaire
+ Perpétuel et l'un des Quarante de l'Académe Française.
+ Londres. MDCCLXX. (8vo, 16 p.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition augmentée par l'auteur à laquelle on a
+ joint plusieurs pièces des meilleurs Auteurs relatives aux
+ mêmes objets, etc.  (Ed. Naigeon.)  Londres, MDCCLXXI.
+ (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. 397-500.)
+
+ Contains Vol. II, p. 455, Réquisitoire, sur lequel est intervenu
+ l'Arrêt du Parlement du 18 Août 1770 qui condamne à
+ être brûlés, differens Livres ou Brochures, intitulés.
+
+ 1. La Contagion sacrée...
+ 2. Dieu et les hommes.
+ 3. Discours sur les Miracles.
+ 4. Examen des Apologistes.
+ 5. Examen impartial des principales religions du Monde.
+ 6. Christianisme dévoilé.
+ 7. Système de la Nature.
+ Imprimé par ordre exprès du Roi.
+  B. M., D2 5168.
+ Reprinted in 1774, 1775-1777.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition.  Londres,  1780, 8vo, pp. xii + 371 + 464.
+
+ Contains <i>Sentiments de Voltaire sur le Système de la Nature</i>.
+ Séguier's <i>Réquisitoire</i> and Holbach's <i>Réplique</i>.
+  B. M. 528 1. 2526.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition. Londres, 1781. (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. 316 + 385.)
+  B. N., D2 516g.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  German Translation, Schreiter.  Leipzig and Frankfort, 1783.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, An. III (1795).  (3 vols. in 8vo.)
+
+ &mdash;The System of Nature.  Translated from the French of M. Mirabeau.
+ London, 1797.  Printed for G. Kearsley.
+  L. of C. B 2053-S G E-12 11-15959.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Philadelphia, 1808.  Pub. by R. Benson.
+  L. of C., B 2053-S G 3 E 13-11-1595 G.
+
+ &mdash;Nature and Her Laws, as Applicable to the Happiness of Man Living
+ in Society, Contrasted with Superstitions and Imaginary Systems.
+ Done from the French of M. Mirabaud.  London in 1816.  W. Hodgson.
+  C. U. 194 H 69 S.
+  L. of C., B 2053 S g 3 E 14-11.15960
+
+ &mdash;Système de la Nature,... Avec notes de Diderot.  Nouvelle édition.
+ Ed. Lemonnier, Paris, 1820.  B. Roquefort.  (2 vols. in 8vo.)
+
+ &mdash;The System of Nature, or the Laws of the Moral and Physical World.
+ Translated by Samuel Wilkinson from the original French of M. Mirabaud.
+ Printed and published by Thomas Davison. (Vols. 2, 3, R. Helder, 1821.)
+ London, 1820.
+ 3 vols in 8vo, pp. xi + 348-311-273.)  Contains Life of Mirabaud,
+ Vol. 3, pp. 263-273.
+  B. M. 804. de 20?
+  U. S. 321. H 723.
+
+ &mdash;Système de la Nature... par le Baron d'Holbach.
+ Nouvelle Edition avec des notes et des corrections par Diderot.
+ Paris, Etienne Ledoux, 1821.  (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. xvi + 507 +502.)
+  B. N., D2 5170.
+  B. M. 124 9 i. 26.
+  C. U, 194 H 69. R.
+  N. Y., Y C O.
+ Contains extract of Grimm's Literary Correspondence, Aug. 10, 1789.
+
+ &mdash;Système de la Nature, ou des lois du monde physique et du monde
+ morale, par le Baron d'Holbach.  Nouvelle Édition avec des notes et
+ des corrections par Diderot etc.  Paris, Domère, 1822. (4 vols. in 12mo.)
+ Contains Avis de Naigion.  Avertissement du nouvel éditeur, pp. 11-29.
+ Pièces diverses, pp. 30-46.
+
+ &mdash;Sistema de la Naturaleza, con notas y correcciones por Diderot;
+ trad, al castell. por F. A. F....  Paris, Masson hijo, 1822,
+ 4 vols. in 18mo.
+  B. N., D2 5172.
+
+ &mdash;Selections from Mirabaud's System of Nature in the Law of Reason, etc.
+ London, 1831.  (16mo, pp. 231.)
+ Selections from Bon-Sens, pp. 39-81, 82-112.
+  B. M. 1387. b. 3.
+
+ &mdash;Nature and her Laws, as Applicable to the Happiness of Man Living
+ in Society, Contrasted with Superstitions and Imaginary Systems.
+ From the French of M. de Mirabaud.  James Watson.  London, 1834.
+ (2 vols. in 12mo, pp. xxiv + 287 + 320.)
+ Sold for 7 s. 6 d.
+  B. M. 1133 b 29.
+ Contains
+ 1. Publisher's Preface (by James Watson).
+ 2. Preface.
+ 3. A short account of the life and writings of the Baron d'Holbach
+ (by Julian Hibbert).
+
+ &mdash;System of Nature, new and improved edition with notes by Diderot.
+ Translated by H. D. Robinson.  New York, 1835, published by Matsell.
+  N. Y., Y B X.
+
+ &mdash;System of Nature, or the laws of the moral and physical world,
+ from the French of M. Mirabaud.  (New edition, pp. 8 + 520.)
+ London, 1840.
+  C. U. 194 H 69. R 1.
+
+ &mdash;System der Natur von Mirabaud. Deutsch bearbeitet und mit Anmerkungen
+ versehen von Biedermann.  Leipzig, 1841.
+ (8vo, pp. 604.) Georg. Wigands Verlag.
+  T. S. (Andover 23).
+
+ &mdash;System der Natur....  Translated by Schreiter, 1843.
+
+ &mdash;System of Nature, new and improved edition with notes by Diderot,
+ translated by H. D. Robinson.  Stereotype edition, Boston, 1848,
+ in 8vo.  Published by J. P. Mendum.
+  B. P. 00.80-6105.5.
+
+ &mdash;System der Natur..., tr. Allhusen, 1851.
+
+ &mdash;System of Nature..., tr. Robinson, Boston. 1853. Published by
+ J. P. Mendum.
+  B. P. 3600.48.
+  N. Y., Y C O 11-15957/
+  L. of C., B. 2053. S g 3 E 6.
+
+ &mdash;The System of Nature; or, The Laws of the Moral and Physical World,
+ by the baron d'Holbach, originally attributed to M. de Mirabaud with
+ memoir by Charles Bradlaugh.  Reprinted verbatim from the best edition.
+ London.  Published by E. Truelove, 256 High Holborn, 1884. In 8vo,
+ pp. xi + 520.
+  B. M. 8467 a a 33.
+
+ 1772.  Le Bon-sens ou idées naturelles opposées aux idées surnaturelles.
+    Detexit quo doloso vaticinandi furore Sacerdotes
+    mysteria, illis saepe ignota, audacter publicant.
+    &mdash;Petronii Satyricon.
+ Londres (Amsterdam) 1772, 8vo, pp. xii - 515.
+  U. T. S. 321 H. 7236.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier d'Etrépigny.  Rome
+ (Paris), 1791, 8vo.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Another edition, 1772, 8vo, pp. x-250.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid. Londres (Amsterdam), 1774, 16mo, pp. xii-302.
+  U. T. S. 321 H. 7236.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé Meslier d'Etrépigny.  Rome
+ (Paris), 1791, 8vo.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Nouvelle édition, suivi du Testament du curé Meslier.
+ Paris, Bouqueton, l'an I de la République.  (1792, 2 vols., 12mo.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier suivi de son Testament.
+ Paris, 1802, 8vo, pp. 380.
+  C. U. 843 M 56 D 1.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, Palais des Thermes de Julien, 1802 (1822), 12mo.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1830, 12mo.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1831, 12mo.
+
+ &mdash;Common Sense, H. D. Robinson, New York, circa 1833.
+
+ &mdash;Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier, etc.  Paris, Bacquenois, 1833, 12mo.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1834, 12mo.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Nancy, Haener, 1834, 12mo.
+
+ &mdash;Der gesunde Menschenverstand.  Baltimore, 1857.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Baltimore, 1859 (second edition), H. U.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Tr. into German by Miss Anna Knoop. circa 1878.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid., under title, Superstition in all ages; by Jean Meslier...
+ who left to the world the following pages entitled <i>Common Sense</i>.
+ Translated from the French original by Miss Anna Knoop, New York, 1878.
+  C. U. L. 211 M.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  New York, Peter Eckler, 1890, pp. vi-339.
+  U. T. S.
+
+ &mdash;Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier, Paris, Palais des Thermes de
+ Julien, 1802.  (Garnier Frères, 1905.)
+  H. U.
+
+ &mdash;Superstition in all ages, etc.  Translated from the French original
+ by Miss Anna Knoop; arranged for publication in its present form and
+ manner with new title-page and preface by Dr. L. W. deLaurence.  Same
+ to now serve as "text-book" number five for "the congress of ancient,
+ divine, mental and Christian masters," Chicago, Ill., DeLaurence,
+ Scott &amp; Co., 1910, pp. xx-17-339.
+  L. of C. 1910, A 26880.  L. W. de Laurence.
+
+ 1772.  De la nature humaine, ou Exposition des facultés, des actions
+ et des passions de l'âme, et de leurs causes, déduites d'après des
+ principes philosophiques qui ne sont communément ni reçus ni connus.
+ Par Thomas Hobbes; Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.
+ Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXXII. (8vo, pp. iv + 171.)
+  B. M. 8403 c c 15.
+  (Bookmark of Richard Chase Sidney.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Oeuvres philosophiques et politiques de Thomas Hobbes.
+ 1787. (2 vols., 8vo.)  (Tr. by Sorbière and Holbach.)
+  B. M. 528 2223.
+
+ 1773.  Recherches sur les Miracles.  Par l'auteur de l'Examen des
+ Apologistes de la Religion Chrétienne.  A Genus attonitum.
+ Ovid.  Metam.  Londres, MDCCLXXIII.  (8vo. pp. 172.)
+  B. M. 4015 de 44.
+
+ 1773.  La politique naturelle, ou, Discours sur les vrais principes du
+ Governement.  Par un ancien Magistrat.
+ Vis consili expers mole ruit suâ. &mdash;Horat., Ode IV, lib. III, vers. 65
+ Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXXIII. (2 vols. in 8vo.
+ pp. vii + 232 + 280.)
+  B. M. 521 h. 8.
+  U. S. 269 E. H. 723 (ex libris Baron Carl de Vinck, Ministre de Belgique).
+  C. U. 320 H. 691.
+  (Ascribed also to C. G. Lamoignon de Malesherbes.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Londres, 1774.  (2 vols, in 8vo.)
+
+ &mdash;La Politica Naturale: discorsi sui veri principi di governo.
+ Traduzione di Luigi Salvadori.  Mantova, Balbiani e Donelli,
+ '78-80.  (2 vols., 16 (L. 5).)
+
+ 1773.  Système Social, ou principes naturels de la moral et de la
+ politique, avec un examen de l'influence du governement sur les moeurs.
+ Discenda virtus est, ars est bonum fieri; erras si existimas
+ vitia nobiscum nasci; supervenerunt in gesta sunt. &mdash;Seneca, Epis. 124.
+ Londres, MDCCLXXIII.  (8vo, pp. 218 + 174 + 166, in three parts.)
+  B. N., R 20275.76 E 1919.
+  C. U. 320. H. 69.
+  N. Y. SC.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Par l'auteur du Système de la Nature, Londres, 1774.
+ (3 vols., 8vo, pp. 208 + 174 + 167.)
+  B. M. 8403. h 23.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  A Paris, Servière, 1795.  (2 vols., 8vo, pp. 472 + 403.)
+  B. M. 8404 dc. 25 (ex libris J. Gomez de la Cortina et amicorum.
+  Fallitur hora legendo).
+
+ &mdash;Ibid....par le baron d'Holbach.  Paris, Niogret, 1882.
+ (2 vols, 8vo.)
+  C. U. 320.  H. 690.
+
+ 1774.  Agriculture réduit à ses vrais principes par Jean Gottschalk
+ Wallerius, Paris, Lacombe, 1774. (12mo.)
+
+ 1776.  Ethocratie ou le gouvernement fondé sur la morale.
+ Constituit bonos mores civitati princips. &mdash;Seneca, de Clementia, Lib. I.
+ A Amsterdam.  Chez Marc Michel Rey.  MDCCLXXVI.
+ (8vo, pp. 10 + 293 + 2.)
+  C. U. 320. 1 H 69.
+
+ 1776.  Morale universelle, ou Les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur la nature.
+ Naturâ duce utendum est: hanc ratio observe, hanc
+ consulit, idem est ergo beatè vivere et secundum naturam. &mdash;Seneca
+ de Vita beata, Cap. VIII init.
+ A Amsterdam.  Chez Marc-Michel Rey, MDCCLXXVI.
+ (3 vols., 8vo, pp. 416 + 334 + 364.)
+  B. N., R 18596-7-8..
+  B. M. 231 h-3
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  A Tours, Chez Letourmy le jeune et compagnie, A Angers,
+ De l'Imprimerie de Jahyer et Geslin.  Imprimeurs-Libraries, rue
+ Milton, 1792. (8vo.)
+  B. M. 527.  K. 1-3H.
+  U. Phil. 2648.50.
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Paris, Smith (Rey et Gravier), an 6, 1798. (3 vols., 8vo.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Par le baron d'Holbach. Paris, Masson et fils.  Libraires,
+ Rue de Tournon, No. 6, 1820.  (3 vols., 8vo, pp. xxxii + 314 + 266 + 300.)
+  C. U. 170 H 2.
+  B. M. 8411 k 7.
+
+ &mdash;Moral universal ódeberes del hombre, fundatos en su naturaleza.
+ Obra escrita en francès por el baron de Holbach y traducida al
+ castellano por D. Manuel Diaz Moreno Zaragoza, 1838, imp. de
+ M. Heras. (3 vols., 8vo.)
+
+ &mdash;La moral universel por el baron de Holbach.  Madrid, 1840,
+ imp. y lib. del Establecimiento Central. (2 vols. in 4to.)
+
+ &mdash;Ibid.  Translated into German by Johann Umminger.  Leipzig, 1898.
+</pre>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+ 1790.  Elements de la morale universelle, ou catechisme de la nature.
+ Par feu M., le Baron d'Holbach des académies de Pétersbourg de Manheim
+ et de Berlin.
+ Numquam aliud natura aliud sapientia dicit.&mdash;Juvenal.
+ A Paris.  Chez G. de Bure.  Rue Serpente, No. 6, MDCCXC.
+ (24vo, pp. vi + 208.)
+  B. M. 528. a. 27.
+  B. P., G. 3537.14.
+
+ &mdash;Elementos de la moral universel, ó catecismo de la naturaleza,
+ por el baron de Holbach.  Madrid, 1820, imp. que fué de Fuentenebro,
+ lib de Sanchez en 8vo past.
+
+ &mdash;Principios de moral, ó manuel de los deberes del hombre fundados
+ en la naturaleza.  Obra póstuma de baron de Holbach.  Traducida al
+ espanol por D. L. M. G. adoptada en su mayor parte de la escuelas
+ de primera educacion para instruccion de los ninos.  Madrid, 1837,
+ imp. de Ferrer y compania lib de J Sanz.  (In 16mo.)
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_BIBL2" id="link2H_BIBL2">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      BIBLIOGRAPHY PART II.
+    </h2>
+    <h3>
+      GENERAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.
+    </h3>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+  Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie.
+
+  Avézac-Lavigne, Diderot et la société du Baron d'Holbach.  Paris, 1875.
+
+  Bachaumont, Mémoires secrètes.  Paris, 1859.
+
+  Barbier, Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes et pseudonymes.  Paris, 1822.
+
+  Barni, Histoire des idées morales et politiques en France au
+       dix-huitième siècle.  Paris, 1865.
+
+  Barruel, Mémoire pour servir à l'histoire de Jacobinisme.  Hamburg, 1798.
+
+  Lettres helviennes.  Hamburg, 1798-1799.
+
+  Bartholmess, Histoire philosophique de l'Académie de Prusse.  Paris, 1851.
+
+  Bergier, Apologie de la Religion Chrétienne contre l'auteur du
+       <i>Christianisme dévoilé</i>.  Paris, 1769.
+     Examen du matérialisme, ou Réfutation du <i>Système de la Nature</i>.
+       Paris, 1771.
+
+  Bibliothèque Nationale, Pièces originales.  1529 d'Holbach.
+     Manuscrits Français, 15224, 22149 (Col. Anisson).
+
+  Boiteau, Mémoires de Mme. d'Epinay.  Paris.
+
+  British Museum Manuscript Index, 1876-1881.  Mss. Folios 30867-69, 70, 71.
+
+  Brougham, A Discourse of Natural Theology.  London, 1835.
+
+  Brunel, Les philosophes et l'Académie Française.  Paris.
+
+  Brunet, Manuel du Librairie.  Paris, 1865.
+
+  Bucherberger, Kirche-Lexikon.
+
+  Burton, Life and Correspondence of David Hume.  Edinburgh, 1846.
+     Letters of Prominent Persons addressed to David Hume.
+       Edinburgh and London, 1849.
+
+  Buzonnière, Observations sur un ouvrage intitulé le <i>Système de la Nature</i>.
+     Paris, 1776.
+
+  Camuset, Principes contre l'incrédulité, à l'occasion du
+     <i>Système de la Nature</i>.  Paris, 1771.
+
+  Carlile, The Deist.  London, 1819.
+
+  Carlyle, Rev. Dr. Alexander, Autobiography, Ed. Burton.  London, 1861.
+
+  Castillon, Observations sur un livre intitulé, <i>Système de la Nature</i>.
+     Berlin, 1771.
+
+  Catalogue des manuscrits français dans les bibliothèques départementales.
+
+  Chaudon, Dictionnaire anti-philosophique etc.  Avignon, 1767.
+
+  Claudon, Le Baron d'Holbach.  Paris, 1835.
+
+  Collignon, Diderot.  Paris, 1907.
+
+  Critica, 1903-1904
+
+  Damiron, Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire de la philosophie au 18me
+       siècle.  Paris, 1858.
+     Etudes sur la philosophie de d'Holbach.  Mémoires de l'Académie
+       des sciences morales et politiques, Vol. IV du Compte rendu des Séances.
+
+  Debure, Catalogue des livres de la bibliothèque du feu
+     M. le baron d'Holbach.  Paris, 1789.
+
+  Delisle de Sales, Philosophie de la Nature.  Paris, 1770.
+     Mémoire en faveur de Dieu.  Paris, 1802.
+
+  Delvaille, Essai sur l'histoire de l'idée de progrès.  Paris, 1910.
+
+  Diderot, Oeuvres, ed Brière.  Paris, 1822.
+     Mémoires, correspondance, et ouvrages inédits de Diderot.  Paris, 1830.
+     Oeuvres complètes de Diderot, ed. Assézat et Tourneux.  Paris, 1877.
+
+  Douarche, Les tribunaux civils de Paris pendant la Révolution.
+       Paris, 1905-1907.
+
+  Dupont de Nemours, Philosophie de l'univers.  Paris, l'An IV (1796).
+
+  Duprat, Les Encyclopédists.  Paris, 1865.
+
+  Duvoisin, L'Autorité des livres du Nouveau Testament contre les
+       incrédules.  Paris, 1775.
+     L'Autorité des livres de Moïse, etc.  Paris, 1778.
+
+  Eclaircissements relatifs à la publication des <i>Confessions</i> de
+     Rousseau, avec des réflexions sur les apologies de MM. Cerutti et
+      d'Holbach etc.  Paris, 1789.
+
+  Encyclopédie des sciences religieuses.
+
+  Epinay, Mme. d' Mémoires et correspondance.  Paris, 1818.
+
+  Fabre, Les Pères de la Révolution.  De Bayle à Condorcet.  Paris, 1910.
+
+  Fabry d'Autrey, Antiquité justifiée etc.  Paris, 1766.
+
+  Fangouse, La religion prouvée aux incrédules, etc.  Paris, 1780.
+
+  Ferraz, Histoire de la philosophie pendant la Révolution.  Paris, 1889.
+     Histoire de la philosophie en France au 19me siecle.  Paris, 1882.
+
+  Fitzmaurice, Life of William, Earl of Shelburne.  London, 1875.
+
+  Fortnightly Review, Vol. XXVIII, 1877.
+
+  Frederick II, King of Prussia, Examen critique du livre
+       intitulé <i>Système de la Nature</i>.  Berlin, 1770.
+
+  Fréret, Lettre de Thrasybule à Leucippe.
+
+  Funck, Les sophistes français et la révolution européenne.  Paris, 1905.
+
+  Galiani, Lettres, ed. E. Asse.  Paris.
+     Correspondance, ed. Perey et Maugras.  Paris, 1910.
+
+  Garrick.  Private Correspondence.  London, 1833.
+
+  Gasté, Diderot et le curé de Montchauvet, etc.  Paris, 1898.
+
+  Garat, Mémoires historiques sur le 18me siècle.  Paris, 1821.
+
+  Gazette de France, Aug. 10, 1754.  June 1, 1781.
+
+  Genlis, Mme de, Les dîners du Baron d'Holbach, etc.  Paris, 1822.
+
+  Gibbon, Autobiography, ed. Murray.  London, 1897.
+     Private Letters, 1753-1794, ed Prothero.  London, 1897.
+
+  Grande Encyclopédie.
+
+  Grimm, Correspondance littéraire et critique.  Paris, 1878.
+     Nouveaux mémoires secrets et inédits, etc.  Paris, 1834.
+
+  Hammard, Mme. de Genlis.  New York, 1913.
+
+  Hancock, The French Revolution and the English Poets.  New York, 1899.
+
+  Hedgcock, David Garrick et ses amis français.  Paris, 1911.
+
+  Helvetius, Le vrai sens du <i>Système de la Nature</i>.  Paris, 1774.
+
+  Herzog, Real-Encyklopedie.
+
+  Hibbert, A Short Sketch of the Life and the Writings
+       of Baron d'Holbach.  London, 1834.
+
+  Holland, Réflexions philosophiques sur la
+       <i>Système de la Nature</i>.  Paris, 1822.
+
+  Hume, Private Correspondence, etc.  London, 1820.
+
+  L'Impie démasqué, etc.  London, 1773.
+
+  Independent Whig.  London, 1720.
+
+  Jal, Dictionnaire critique de biographie et d'histoire.  Paris, 1867.
+
+  Journal de lecture, Vol. I, 1775.
+
+  Journal de Paris, 1789.
+
+  Laharpe, Cours de littérature.  Paris, 1821.
+     Philosophie du 18me siècle.  Paris, 1818.
+
+  Lagrange, Oeuvres complètes de Senèque.  Paris, 1778.
+
+  Landry, Beccaria, Scritte e lettre inediti.  1910.
+
+  Lange, History of Materialism.  Boston, 1877.
+
+  Lanson, Manuel bibliographique de la littérature
+       française moderne 1500-1900.  Paris, 1911.
+
+  Lenel, Un homme de lettres au 18me siècle, Marmontel.  Paris, 1902.
+
+  Lerminier, De l'influence de la philosophie au 18 siècle.  Paris, 1833.
+
+  Lévy-Bruhle, History of Modern Philosophy in France.  Chicago, 1899.
+
+  Lowell, The Eve of the French Revolution.  Boston, 1892.
+
+  Magasin encyclopédique.  Mai, 1805.
+
+  Mangold, von, Unumstossliche Widerlegung des Materialismus
+       gegen den Verfasser des Systèms der Natur.  Augsburg, 1803.
+
+  Maréchal, Dictionnaire des athées (Paris). An. VIII (1800).
+
+  Marmontel, Mémoires, ed. Tourneur.  Paris, 1891.
+
+  Martin, Histoire de France, 1748-1789.  4th Ed.
+
+  Michaud, Biographie universelle.
+
+  Morellet, Mémoires.  Paris, 1821.
+     Lettres à Lord Shelburne.  Paris, 1898.
+
+  Mornet, Les sciences de la nature au 18me siècle.  Paris, 1911.
+
+  Myers, Konversations-Lexikon.
+
+  Naigeon, Mémoires historiques et philosophiques sur la
+       vie et les ouvrages de Denis Diderot.  Paris, 1821.
+
+  Nouvelle Revue, June, July, 1912.
+
+  Paulian, La religion prouvée aux incrédules, etc. Paris, 1780.
+
+  Paulian, Le véritable système de la nature.  Paris, 1788.
+
+  Payrard, De la nature et de ses lois.  Paris, 1773.
+
+  Perey et Maugras, Dernières années de Mme. d'Epinay.  Paris, 1883.
+
+  Picavet, Les Idéologues.  Paris, 1891.
+
+  Plechanow, Beiträge zur Geschichte des Materialismus.  Stuttgart, 1896.
+
+  Quérard, La France littéraire.  Paris, 1833.
+     Superchéries littéraires dévoilées.  Paris, 1870.
+     Littérature française contemporaine (Continuation).
+
+  Rabbe, Biographie.
+
+  Répertoire de la Gazette de France.
+
+  Revue Bleue, June, 1912.
+
+  Revue de l'histoire littéraire de la France, Jan.-June, 1912.
+
+  Revue de synthèse historique, 1903, Vol. I.
+
+  Revue des Cours et Conférences, 1908-1910.
+
+  Revue des deux mondes, Apr., 1886; June, 1912.
+
+  Revue encyclopédique, Vol. XVI.
+
+  Rey, Rousseau.  Paris, 1909.
+
+  Rietstap, Armorial général.  Gonda, 1884.
+
+  Robinet, Le personnel municipale de Paris pendant la Révolution.
+       Paris, 1890.
+
+  Rochfort, L'Esprit révolutionnaire avant la Révolution.  Paris, 1878.
+
+  Romilly, Sir S., Memoirs.  London, 1840.
+
+  Rosenkrantz, Diderot's Leben und Werke.  Leipzig, 1864.
+
+  Rousseau, Oeuvres complètes.  Paris, 1793.
+
+  Roustan, Les philosophes et la société française au 18me siècle.
+       Paris, 1906.
+
+  St.-Beuve, Portraits littéraires.  Paris, 1878.
+     Causeries de lundi.  Paris, 1882.
+
+  St.-Martin, Des erreurs et de la vérité.  Edinburgh, 1775.
+
+  Soury, Bréviaire de l'histoire de matérialisme.  Paris, 1881.
+
+  Stupuy, Chez Diderot, comédie en deux actes, en vers.  Paris, 1868.
+
+  Tallentyre, The Friends of Voltaire.  London, 1906.
+
+  Villemain, Cours de littérature française.  Paris, 1859.
+
+  Voltaire, Oeuvres complètes, ed. Beuchot.  Paris, 1829-40.
+     Oeuvres complètes, ed. Garnier.  Paris, 1880.
+
+  Walpole, H., Letters, ed, Toynbee.  London, 1912.
+
+  Weiland, Oberon, tr. Holbach fils.  Paris, 1825.
+
+  Wetzer &amp; Welte, Kirchen-lexikon.
+
+  Wilkes, Correspondence with his Friends.  London, 1805.
+       Letters from the year 1774 to 1796, addressed to his daughter.
+        London, 1805.
+
+  Wright, A History of French Literature.  London, 1912.
+</pre>
+    <p>
+      <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010">
+      <!--  H2 anchor --> </a>
+    </p>
+    <div style="height: 4em;">
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </div>
+    <h2>
+      VITA
+    </h2>
+    <p>
+      Max Pearson Cushing, born in Bangor, Maine, October 27, 1886; Bangor High
+      School, 1905; A.B. Bowdown College, 1909. Instructor in English, Robert
+      College, Constantinople, 1909-1911; Graduate Student in History, Columbia
+      University, 1911-1913; A.M. Columbia, 1912, Instructor in History, Reed
+      College, Portland, Oregon, 1913.
+    </p>
+    <p>
+      <br /><br /><br /><br />
+    </p>
+<pre xml:space="preserve">
+
+
+
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Baron d'Holbach, by Max Pearson Cushing
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+Title: Baron d'Holbach
+
+Author: Max Pearson Cushing
+
+Release Date: May, 2004  [EBook #5621]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, BARON D'HOLBACH ***
+
+
+
+
+Project Gutenberg E-Text of
+Baron D'Holbach: A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France
+by Max Pearson Cushing (27-Oct-1886 to 12-Jan-1951)
+Originally published 1914
+
+
+
+
+This e-text transcribed by David Ross <davidross@despammed.com>
+
+Proofed by Richard Farris <rf7211@hotmail.com>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BARON D'HOLBACH
+A Study of Eighteenth Century Radicalism in France
+
+by
+
+MAX PEARSON CUSHING
+
+
+
+
+Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
+for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, in
+the Faculty of Political Science,
+Columbia University
+
+
+
+
+New York
+1914
+
+
+
+
+Press of
+The New Era Printing Company
+Lancaster, PA
+
+
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+  Introduction.
+
+  CHAPTER I.  HOLBACH THE MAN.
+
+     Early Letters to John Wilkes.
+
+     Holbach's family.
+
+     Relations with Diderot, Rousseau, Hume, Garrick
+       and other important persons of the century.
+
+     Estimate of Holbach.  His character and personality.
+
+
+  CHAPTER II.  HOLBACH'S WORKS.
+
+     Miscellaneous Works.
+
+     Translations of German Scientific Works.
+
+     Translations of English Deistical Writers.
+
+     Boulanger's _Antiquité dévoilée_.
+
+     Original Works: _Le Christianisme devoilé_.
+     _Théologie portative_.
+     _La Contagion sacrée_.
+     _Essai sur les préjugés_.
+     _Le bons-sens_.
+
+
+  CHAPTER III.  THE _Système de la Nature_ AND ITS PHILOSOPHY.
+
+     Voltaire's correspondence on the subject.
+
+     Goethe's sentiment.
+
+     Refutations and criticisms.
+
+     Holbach's philosophy.
+
+
+  APPENDIX.  HOLBACH'S CORRESPONDENCE.
+
+     Five unpublished letters to John Wilkes.
+
+
+  [ENDNOTES]
+
+
+  BIBLIOGRAPHY.
+
+    Part I.  Editions of Holbach's works in Chronological Order.
+
+    Part II.  General Bibliography.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BARON D'HOLBACH
+
+
+     A une extréme justesse d'esprit il joignait une simplicité
+     de moeurs tout-à-fait antique et patriarcale.
+
+              J. A. Naigeon, _Journal de Paris_, le 9 fev. 1789
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+Diderot, writing to the Princess Dashkoff in 1771, thus analysed
+the spirit of his century:
+
+Chaque siècle a son esprit qui le caractérise.  L'esprit du nôtre
+semble être celui de la liberté.  La première attaque contre la
+superstition a été violente, sans mesure.  Une fois que les hommes
+ont osé d'une manière quelconque donner l'assaut à la barrière de
+la religion, cette barrière la plus formidable qui existe comme la
+plus respectée, il est impossible de s'arrêter.  Dès qu'ils ont tourné
+des regards menaçants contre la majesté du ciel, ils ne manqueront
+pas le moment d'après de les diriger contre la souveraineté de la
+terre.  Le câble qui tient et comprime l'humanité est formé de deux
+cordes, l'une ne peut céder sans que l'autre vienne à rompre.
+[Endnote 1:1]
+
+The following study proposes to deal with this attack on religion
+that preceded and helped to prepare the French Revolution.  Similar
+phenomena are by no means rare in the annals of history;
+eighteenth-century atheism, however, is of especial interest,
+standing as it does at the end of a long period of theological
+and ecclesiastical disintegration and prophesying a reconstruction
+of society on a purely rational and naturalistic basis.  The
+anti-theistic movement has been so obscured by the less thoroughgoing
+tendency of deism and by subsequent romanticism that the real
+issue in the eighteenth century has been largely lost from view.
+Hence it has seemed fit to center this study about the man who
+stated the situation with the most unmistakable and uncompromising
+clearness, and who still occupies a unique though obscure position
+in the history of thought.
+
+Holbach has been very much neglected by writers on the eighteenth
+century.  He has no biographer.  M. Walferdin wrote (in an edition
+of Diderot's Works, Paris, 1821, Vol. XII p. 115): "Nous nous
+occupons depuis longtemps à rassembler les matériaux qui doivent
+servir à venger la mémoire du philosophe de la patrie de Leibnitz,
+et dans l'ouvrage que nous nous proposons de publier sous le titre
+"D'Holbach jugé par ses contemporains" nous espérons faire justement
+apprécier ce savant si estimable par la profondeur et la variété de
+ses connaissances, si précieux à sa famille et à ses amis par la
+pureté et la simplicité de ses moeurs, en qui la vertu était devenue
+une habitude et la bienfaisance un besoin."  This work has never
+appeared and M. Tourneux thinks that nothing of it was found among
+M. Walferdin's papers. [2:2]  In 1834 Mr. James Watson published
+in an English translation of the _Système de la Nature_,
+_A Short Sketch of the Life and the Writings of Baron d'Holbach_
+by Mr. Julian Hibbert, compiled especially for that edition from
+Saint Saurin's article in Michaud's _Biographie Universelle_
+(Paris, 1817, Vol. XX, pp. 460-467), from Barbier's _Dict. des
+ouvrages anonymes_ (Paris, 1822) and from the preface to the Paris
+edition of the _Système de la Nature_ (4 vols., 18mo, 1821).  This
+sketch was later published separately (London, 1834, 12mo, pp. 14)
+but on account of the author's sudden death it was left unfinished
+and is of no value from the point of view of scholarship.  Another
+attempt to publish something on Holbach was made by Dr. Anthony
+C. Middleton of Boston in 1857.  In the preface to his translation
+to the _Lettres à Eugenia_ he speaks of a "Biographical Memoir of
+Baron d'Holbach which I am now preparing for the press."  If ever
+published at all this _Memoir_ probably came to light in the
+_Boston Investigator_, a free-thinking magazine published by
+Josiah P. Mendum, 45 Cornhill, Boston, but it is not to be found.
+Mention should also be made of the fact that M. Assézat intended
+to include in a proposed study of Diderot and the philosophical
+movement, a chapter to be devoted to Holbach and his society; but
+this work has never appeared. [3:3]
+
+Of the two works bearing Holbach's name as a title, one is a piece
+of libellous fiction by Mme. de Genlis, _Les Diners du baron d'Holbach_
+(Paris, 1822, 8vo), the other a romance pure and simple by
+F. T. Claudon (Paris, 1835, 2 vols., 8vo) called _Le Baron d'Holbach_,
+the events of which take place largely at his house and in which he
+plays the rôle of a minor character.  A good account of Holbach,
+though short and incidental, is to be found in M. Avézac-Lavigne's
+_Diderot et la Société du Baron d'Holbach_ (Paris, 1875, 8vo), and
+M. Armand Gasté has a little book entitled _Diderot et le cure
+de Montchauvet, une Mystification littéraire chez le Baron d'Holbach_
+(Paris, 1895, 16vo).  There are several works which devote a chapter
+or section to Holbach. [3:4]  The French critics and the histories of
+philosophy contain slight notices; Rosenkranz's "Diderot's Leben"
+devotes a chapter to Granval, Holbach's country seat, and life there
+as described by Diderot in his letters to Mlle. Volland; and he is
+included in such histories of ideas as Soury, J., "Bréviaire
+de l'histoire de Matérialisme" (Paris, 1881) and Delvaille, J.,
+_Essai sur l'histoire de l'idée de progrès_ (Paris, 1910); but
+nowhere else is there anything more than the merest encyclopedic
+account, often defective and incorrect.
+
+The sources are in a sense full and reliable for certain phases of
+his life and literary activity.  His own publications, numbering
+about fifty, form the most important body of source material for
+the history and development of his ideas.  Next in importance are
+contemporary memoirs and letters including those of Voltaire,
+Rousseau, Diderot, Grimm, Morellet, Marmontel, Mme. d'Epinay,
+Naigeon, Garat, Galiani, Hume, Garrick, Wilkes, Romilly and others;
+and scattered letters by Holbach himself, largely to his English
+friends.  In addition there is a large body of contemporary hostile
+criticism of his books, by Voltaire, Frederick II, Castillon,
+Holland, La Harpe, Delisle de Sales and a host of outraged
+ecclesiastics, so that one is well informed in regard to the
+scandal that his books caused at the time.  Out of these materials
+and other scattered documents and notices it is possible to
+reconstruct--though somewhat defectively--the figure of a man who
+played an important rôle in his own day; but whose name has long
+since lost its significance--even in the ears of scholars.  It is
+at the suggestion of Professor James Harvey Robinson that this
+reconstruction has been made.  If it shall prove of any interest
+or value he must be credited with the initiation of the idea as
+well as constant aid in its realization.  For rendering possible
+the necessary investigations, recognition is due to the administration
+and officers of the Bibliothèque Nationale, the British Museum, the
+Library of Congress, the Libraries of Columbia and Harvard
+Universities, Union and Andover Theological Seminaries, and the
+Public Libraries of Boston and New York.
+
+
+M. P. C.
+
+NEW YORK CITY,
+July, 1914.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.  HOLBACH, THE MAN.
+
+
+Paul Heinrich Dietrich, or as he is better known, Paul-Henri Thiry,
+baron d'Holbach, was born in January, 1723, in the little village
+of Heidelsheim (N.W. of Carlsruhe) in the Palatinate.  Of his
+parentage and youth nothing is known except that his father, a rich
+parvenu, according to Rousseau, [5:5] brought him to Paris at the
+age of twelve, where he received the greater part of his education.
+His father died when Holbach was still a young man.  It may be
+doubted if young Holbach inherited his title and estates immediately
+as there was an uncle "Messire Francois-Adam, Baron d'Holbach,
+Seigneur de Héeze, Léende et autres Lieux" who lived in the rue
+Neuve S. Augustin and died in 1753.  His funeral was held at
+Saint-Roch, his parish church, Thursday, September 16th, where he was
+afterward entombed. [5:6]  Holbach was a student in the University
+of Leyden in 1746 and spent a good deal of time at his uncle's estate
+at Héeze, a little town in the province of North Brabant (S.E. of
+Eindhoven).  He also traveled and studied in Germany.  There are two
+manuscript letters in the British Museum (Folio 30867, pp. 14, 18, 20)
+addressed by Holbach to John Wilkes, which throw some light on his
+school-days.  It is interesting to note that most of Holbach's friends
+were young Englishmen of whom there were some twenty-five at the
+University of Leyden at that time. [6:7]  Already at the age of
+twenty-three Holbach was writing very good English, and all his life
+he was a friend of Englishmen and English ideas.  His friendship for
+Wilkes, then a lad of nineteen, lasted all his life and increased in
+intimacy and dignity.  The two letters following are of interest
+because they are the only documents we have bearing on Holbach's early
+manhood.  They reveal a certain sympathy and feeling--rather gushing
+to be sure--quite unlike anything in his later writings, and quite
+out of line with the supposedly cold temper of a materialist and an
+atheist.
+
+[Footnote: These letters, contrary to modern usage, are printed with all
+the peculiarities of eighteenth century orthography.  It was felt that
+they would lose their quaintness and charm if Holbach's somewhat
+fantastic English were trifled with or his spelling, capitalization
+and punctuation modernized.]
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+
+HÉEZE Aug. 9, 1746
+
+_Dearest Friend_
+
+I should not have felt by half enough the pleasure your kind letter
+gave me, If I had words to express it; I never doubted of your
+friendship, nor I hope do you know me so little as to doubt of
+mine, but your letter is full of such favorable sentiments to me
+that I must own I cannot repay them but by renewing to you the
+entire gift of my heart that has been yours ever since heaven
+favour'd me with your acquaintance.  I need not tell you the
+sorrow our parting gave me, in vain Philosophy cried aloud nature
+was still stronger and the philosopher was forced to yield to the
+friend, even now I feel the wound is not cur'd.  Therefore no more
+of that--_Hope_ is my motto.  Telling me you are happy you make me
+so but in the middle of your happiness you dont forget your friend,
+What flattering thought to me!  Such are the charms of friendship
+every event is shar'd and nothing nor even the greatest intervals
+are able to interrupt the happy harmony of truly united minds.  I
+left Leyden about 8 or 10 days after you but before my departure I
+thought myself obliged to let Mr Dowdenwell know what you told me,
+he has seen the two letters Mr Johnson had received and I have been
+mediator of ye peace made betwixt the 2 parties, I don't doubt but
+you have seen by this time Messrs Bland & Weatherill who were to set
+out for Engelland the same week I parted with them.  When I was leaving
+Leyden Mr Vernon happen'd to tell me he had a great mind to make a trip
+to Spa.  So my uncles' estate being on ye road I desir'd him to come
+along with me, he has been here a week and went on afterwards in his
+journey, at my arrival here, I found that General Count Palfi
+with an infinite number of military attendants had taken possession
+of my uncles' house, and that the 16 thousd men lately come from
+Germany to strengthen the allies army, commanded by Count Bathiani
+and that had left ye neighborhood of Breda a few days before and
+was come to Falkenswert (where you have past in your journey to Spa)
+one hour from hence.  Prince Charles arrived here the same day from
+Germany to take ye command of the allies, the next Day the whole army
+amounting to 70thd men went on towards the county of Liège to prevent
+the French from beseiging Namur, I hear now that the two armies are
+only one hour from another, so we expect very soon the news of a great
+battle but not without fear, Count Saxes army being, by all account of
+hundred ten thoud. men besides.  Prince Counti's army of 50 thd. this
+latter General is now employ'd at the siege of Charleroy. that can't
+resist a long while, it is a report that the King of France is arrived
+in his army, I hope this long account will entertain you for want of
+news papers: Mr. Dowdeswell being left alone of our club at Leyden
+I Desir'd him to come and spend with me the time of his vacations
+here, which proposal I hope he will accept and be here next week.
+What happy triumvirat would be ours if you were to join: but that is
+impossible at present; however those who cant enjoy reality are fond
+of feeding their fancies with agreable Dreams and charming pictures;
+that helps a little to sooth the sorrow of absence and makes one expect
+with more pati[ence] till fortune allows him to put in execution the
+cherish'd systems he has been fed upon fore some [time] I shall expect
+with great many thanks the books you are to send me; it will be for me
+a dubble pleasure to read them, being of your choice which I value as
+much as it deserves, and looking at them as upon a new proof of your
+benevolence, as to those I design'd to get from Paris for you, I heard
+I could not get them before my uncles' return hither all commerce being
+stopt by the way betwixt this country and France.
+
+A few days before my departure from Leyden I receiv'd a letter from
+Mr Freeman from Berlin, he seams vastly pleas'd with our Germany, and
+chiefly with Hambourg where a beautiful lady has taken in his heart
+the room of poor Mss. Vitsiavius, my prophesy was just; traveling
+seems to have alter'd a good deal his melancholy disposition as I may
+conjecture by his way of writing.  He desired his service to you.  As
+to me, Idleness renders me every day more philosopher every passion
+is languishing within me, I retain but one in a warm degree, viz,
+friendship in which you share no small part.  I took a whim to study
+a little Physic accordingly I purchased several books in that Way, and
+my empty hours here are employ'd with them.  I am sure your time will
+be much better employ'd at Alesbury you'll find there a much nobler
+entertainment Cupid is by far Lovlier than Esculapius, however I shall
+not envy your happiness, in the Contrary I wish that all your desires
+be crown'd with success, that a Passion that proves fatal to great many
+of men be void of sorrow for you, that all the paths of love be spred
+over with flowers in one Word that you may not address in vain to the
+charming Mss. M.  I am almost tempted to fall in love with that
+unknown beauty, 't would not be quite like Don Quixotte for your
+liking to her would be for me a very strong prejudice of her merit,
+which the poor Knight had not in his love for Dulcinea.
+
+I shall not ask your pardon for the length of this letter I am sure
+friendship will forgive the time I steal to Love however I cannot
+give up so easily a conversation with a true friend with whom I fancy
+to speak yet in one of those delightfull evening walks at Leyden.  It
+is a dream, I own it, but it is so agreable one to me that nothing
+but reality could be compared to the pleasure I feel: let me therefore
+insist a little more upon't and travel with my Letter, we are gone!  I
+think to be at Alesbury! there I see my Dear Wilkes! What a Flurry of
+Panions! Joy! fear of a second parting! what charming tears! what
+sincere Kisses!--but time flows and the end of this Love is now as
+unwelcome to me, as would be to another to be awaken'd in the middle
+of a Dream wherein he is going to enjoy a beloved mistress; the
+enchantment ceases, the delightfull images vanish, and nothing is left
+to me but friendship, which is of all my possessions the fairest, and
+the surest, I am most sincerely Dear Wilkes
+
+	Your affectionate friend and humble servant
+	DE HOLBACH
+Heze the 9th august 1746 N. S.
+
+I shall expect with impatience the letter you are to write me from
+Alesbury.  Will it be here very soon!
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+[HÉEZE Dec. 3rd. 1746]
+
+_Dearest Wilkes_
+
+During a little voyage I have made into Germany I have received your
+charming letter of the 8th. September O. S. the many affairs I have
+been busy with for these 3 months has hindered me hitherto from
+returning to you as speedy an answer as I should have done.  I know
+too much your kindness for me to make any farther apology and I hope
+you are enough acquainted with the sincerety of my friendship towards
+you to adscribe my fault to forgetfulness or want of gratitude be
+sure, Dear friend, that such a disposition will allways be unknown
+to me in regard to you.  I don't doubt but you will be by this time
+returned at London, the winter season being an obstacle to the
+pleasures you have enjoyed following ye Letter at Alesbury during
+the last Autumn.  I must own I have felt a good deal of pride when
+you gave me the kind assurance that love has not made you forget an
+old friend, I need not tell you my disposition.  I hope you know it
+well enough and like my friendship for you has no bounds I want 
+expressions to show it.  Mr Dowdeswell has been so good as to let me
+enjoy his company here in the month of August, and returned to Leyden
+to pursue his studies in the middle of September.  We often wished
+your company and made sincere libations to you with burgundy and
+Champaigne I had a few weeks there after I set out for Germany where
+I expected to spend the whole winter but the sudden death of my
+Uncle's Steward has forced me to come back here to put in order the
+affairs of this estate, I don't know how long I shall be obliged to
+stay in the meanwhile I act pretty well the part of a County Squire,
+id est, hunting, shooting, fishing, walking every day without to
+lay aside the ever charming conversation of Horace Virgil Homer and
+all our noble friends of the Elysian fields.  They are allways faithfull
+to me, with their aid I find very well how to employ my time, but I want
+in this country a true bosom friend like my dear Wilkes to converse
+with, but my pretenssions are too high, for every abode with such a
+company would be heaven for me.
+
+I perceive by your last letter that your hopes are very like to
+succeed by Mss Mead, you are sure that every happines that can
+befall to you will make me vastly happy.  I beseech you therefore
+to let me know everytime how far you are gone, I take it to be a
+very good omen for you, that your lovely mistress out of compliance
+has vouchsafed to learn a harsh high-dutch name, which would otherwise
+have made her starttle, at the very hearing of it.  I am very thankful
+for her kind desire of seeing me in Engelland which I dont wish the
+less but you know my circumstances enough, to guess that I cannot
+follow my inclinations.  I have not heard hitherto anything about
+the books you have been so kind as to send me over by the opportunity
+of a friend.  I have wrote about it to Msrs Conrad et Bouwer of
+Rotterdam, they answered that they were not yet there.  Nevertheless
+I am very much oblided to you for your kindness and wish to find very
+soon the opportunity of my revenge.  Mr Dowderswell complains very much
+of Mrs Bland and Weatherill, having not heard of them since their
+departure from Leyden.  I desire my compliments to Mr Dyer and all
+our old acquaintances.  Pray be so good as to direct your first
+letter under the covert of Mr Dowderwell at Ms Alliaume's at Leyden
+he shall send it to me over immediately, no more at Mr Van Sprang's
+like you used to do.  I wish to know if Mr Lyson since his return to
+his native country, continues in his peevish cross temper.  If you
+have any news besides I'll be glad to hear them by your next which
+I expect very soon.
+
+About politicks I cannot tell you anything at present, you have heard
+enough by this time the fatal battle fought near Liège in 8ber last;
+everybody has little hopes of the Congress of Breda, the Austrian and
+Piedmontese are entered into provence, which is not as difficult as to
+maintain themselves therein, I wish a speedy peace would enable us both
+to see the rejoicings that will attend the marriage of the Dauphin of
+France with a Princess of Saxony.  I have heard that peace is made
+between England and Spain, which you ought to know better than I.
+We fear very much for the next campaign the siege of Maestrich in
+our neighborhood.  These are all the news I know.  I'll tell you
+another that you have known a long while viz. that nobody is with
+more sincerity My Dear Wilkes
+
+	Your faithfull humble Servant and Friend
+	HOLBACH
+Heeze the 3 d Xber 1746 ns
+
+
+By 1750 Holbach was established in Paris as a young man of the world.
+His fortune, his learning, his sociability attracted the younger
+literary set toward him.  In 1749 he was already holding his Thursday
+dinners which later became so famous.  Among his early friends were
+Diderot, Rousseau and Grimm.  With them he took the side of the
+Italian _Opera buffa_ in the famous musical quarrel of 1752, and
+published two witty brochures ridiculing French music. [12:9]  He was
+an art connoisseur and bought Oudry's _Chienne allaitant ses petits_,
+the _chef d'oeuvre_ of the Salon of 1753. [12:10]  During these years
+he was hard at work at his chosen sciences of chemistry and mineralogy.
+In 1752 he published in a huge volume in quarto with excellent plates,
+a translation of Antonio Neri's _Art of Glass making_, and in 1753 a
+translation of Wallerius' _Mineralogy_.  On July 26, 1754, the Academy
+of Berlin made him a foreign associate in recognition of his scholarly
+attainments in Natural History, [12:11] and later he was elected to the
+Academies of St. Petersburg and Mannheim.
+
+All that was now lacking to this brilliant young man was an attractive
+wife to rule over his salon.  His friends urged him to wed, and in 1753
+he married Mlle. Basile-Genevieve-Susanne d'Aine, daughter of "Maître
+Marius-Jean-Baptiste Nicolas d'Aine, conseiller au Roi en son grand
+conseil, associé externe de l'Acad. des sciences et belles letters
+de Prusse." [12:12]  M. d'Aine was also Maître des Requêtes and a man
+of means.  Mme. d'Holbach was a very charming and gracious woman and
+Holbach's good fortune seemed complete when suddenly Mme. d'Holbach
+died from a most loathsome and painful disease in the summer of 1754.
+Holbach was heart-broken and took a trip through the provinces with
+his friend Grimm, to whom he was much attached, to distract his mind
+from his grief.  He returned in the early winter and the next year
+(1755) got a special dispensation from the Pope to marry his deceased
+wife's sister, Mlle. Charlotte-Susanne d'Aine.  By her he had four
+children, two sons and two daughters.  The first, Charles-Marius,
+was born about the middle of August, 1757, and baptized in
+Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, Aug. 22.  He inherited the family title
+and was a captain in the regiment of the Schomberg-Dragons. [13:13]
+The first daughter was born towards the end of 1758 and the second
+about the middle of Jan., 1760. [13:14]  The elder married the
+Marquis de Châtenay and the younger the Marquis de Nolivos,
+"Captaine au régiment de la Seurre, Dragons."  Their Majesties the
+King and Queen and the Royal Family signed their marriage contract
+May 27, 1781. [13:15]  Of the second son there seem to be no traces.
+Holbach's mother-in-law, Madame d'Aine, was a very interesting old
+woman as she is pictured in Diderot's _Mémoires_, and there was a
+brother-in-law, "Messire Marius-Jean-Baptiste-Nicholas d'Aine,
+chevalier, conseiller du roi en ses conseils, Maître des requêtes
+honoraire de son hôtel, intendant de justice, police, et finances
+de la généralité de Tours," who lived in rue Saint Dominique,
+paroisse Saint-Sulpice.  There was in Holbach's household for a
+long time an old Scotch surgeon, a homeless, misanthropic old fellow
+by the name of Hope, of whom Diderot gives a most interesting
+account. [14:16]  These are the only names we have of the personnel
+of Holbach's household.  His town house was in the rue Royale, butte
+Saint-Roch.  It was here that for an almost unbroken period of forty
+years he gave his Sunday and Thursday dinners.  The latter day was
+known to the more intimate set of encyclopedists as the _jour du
+synagogue_.  Here the _église philosophique_ met regularly to discuss
+its doctrines and publish its propaganda of radicalism.
+
+Holbach had a very pleasant country seat, the château of Grandval,
+now in the arrondisement of Boissy St. Léger at Sucy-en-Brie.  It
+is pleasantly situated in the valley of a little stream, the Morbra,
+which flows into the Marne.  The property was really the estate of
+Mme. d'Aine who lived with the Holbachs.  Here the family and their
+numerous guests passed the late summer and fall.  Here Diderot spent
+weeks at a time working on the Encyclopedia, dining, and walking on
+the steep slopes of the Marne with congenial companions.  To him we
+are indebted for our intimate knowledge of Grandval and its inhabitants,
+their slightest doings and conversations; and as Danou has well said,
+if we were to wish ourselves back in any past age we should choose
+with many others the mid-eighteenth century and the charming society
+of Paris and Grandval. [14:17]
+
+Holbach's life, in common with that of most philosophers, offers no
+events, except that he came near being killed in the crush and riot
+in the rue Royale that followed the fire at the Dauphin's wedding in
+1770. [15:18]  He was never an official personage.  His entire life was
+spent in study, writing and conversation with his friends.  He traveled
+very little; the world came to him, to the _Café de l'Europe_, as
+Abbé Galiani called Paris.  From time to time Holbach went to
+Contrexéville for his gout and once to England to visit David Garrick;
+but he disliked England very thoroughly and was glad to get back to
+Paris.  The events of his life in so far as there were any, were his
+relations with people.  He knew intimately practically all the great
+men of his century, except Montesquieu and Voltaire, who were off the
+stage before his day. [15:19]  Holbach's most intimate and life-long
+friend among the great figures of the century was Diderot, of whom
+Rousseau said, "À la distance de quelques siècles du moment où il a
+vécu, Diderot paraîtra un homme prodigieux; on regardera de loin
+cette tête universelle avec une admiration mêlée d'étonnement, comme
+nous regardons aujourd'hui la tête des Platon et des Aristote." [15:20]
+All his contemporaries agreed that nothing was so charged with divine
+fire as the conversation of Diderot.  Gautherin, in his fine bronze
+of him on the Place Saint-Germain-des-Près, seems to have caught the
+spirit of his talk and has depicted him as he might have sat in the
+midst of Holbach's society, of which he was the inspiration and the soul.
+Holbach backed Diderot financially in his great literary and scientific
+undertaking and provided articles for the Encyclopedia on chemistry
+and natural science.  Diderot had a high opinion of his erudition and
+said of him, "Quelque système que forge mon imagination, je suis sur
+que mon ami d'Holbach me trouve des faits et des autorités pour le
+justifier." [16:21]  Opinions differ in regard to the intellectual
+influence of these men upon each other.  Diderot was without doubt
+the greater thinker, but Holbach stated his atheism with far greater
+clarity and Diderot gave his sanction to it by embellishing Holbach's
+books with a few eloquent pages of his own.  Diderot said to Sir
+Samuel Romilly in 1781, "Il faut _sabrer_ la théologie," [16:22] and
+died in 1784 in the belief that complete infidelity was the first
+step toward philosophy.  Five years later Holbach was buried by his
+side in the crypt of the Chapel of the Virgin behind the high altar
+in Saint-Roch.  No tablet marks their tombs, and although repeated
+investigations have been made no light has been thrown on the exact
+position of their burial place.  According to Diderot's daughter,
+Mme. Vandeuil, their entire correspondence has been destroyed or
+lost. [16:23]
+
+Holbach's relations with Rousseau were less harmonious.  The account
+of their mutual misunderstandings contained in the _Confessions_, in
+a letter by Cerutti in the _Journal de Paris_ Dec. 2, 1789, and in
+private letters of Holbach's to Hume, Garrick, and Wilkes, is a long
+and tiresome tale.  The author of _Eclaircissements relatifs à la
+publication des confessions de Rousseau..._ (Paris, 1789) blames the
+_club holbachique_ for their treatment of Rousseau, but the fault
+seems to lie on both sides.  According to Rousseau's account, Holbach
+sought his friendship and for a few years he was one of Holbach's
+society.  But, after the success of the _Devin du Village_ in 1753,
+the _holbachiens_ turned against him out of jealousy of his genius
+as a composer.  Visions of a dark plot against him rose before his
+fevered and sensitive imagination, and after 1756 he left the Society
+of the Encyclopedists, never to return.  Holbach, on the other hand,
+while admitting rather questionable treatment of Rousseau, never
+speaks of any personal injury on his part, and bewails the fact that
+"l'homme le plus éloquent s'est rendu ainsi l'homme le plus
+anti-littéraire, et l'homme le plus sensible s'est rendu le plus
+anti-social." [17:24]  He did warn Hume against taking him to England,
+and in a letter to Wilkes predicted the quarrel that took place shortly
+after.  In writing to Garrick [17:25] he says some hard but true things
+about Rousseau, who on his part never really defamed Holbach but
+depicted him as the virtuous atheist under the guise of Wolmar in
+the _Nouvelle Heloïse_.  Their personal incompatibility is best explained
+on the grounds of the radical differences in their temperaments and
+types of mind and by the fact that Rousseau was too sensitive to get
+on with anybody for any great length of time.
+
+Two other great Frenchmen, Buffon and d'Alembert, were for a time
+members of Holbach's society, but, for reasons that are not altogether
+clear, gradually withdrew.  Grimm suggests that Buffon did not find
+the young philosophers sufficiently deferential to him and to the
+authorized powers, and feared for his dignity,--and safety, in
+their company.  D'Alembert, on the other hand, was a recluse by
+nature, and, after giving up his editorship on the Encyclopedia,
+easily dropped out of Diderot's society and devoted himself to
+Mlle. Lespinasse and Mme. Geoffrin.  Holbach and Helvetius were
+life-long friends and spent much time together reading at Helvetius's
+country place at Voré.  After his death in 1774, Holbach frequented
+Mme. Helvetius' salon where he knew and deeply influenced Volney,
+Cabanis, de Tracy, and the first generation of the Ideologists who
+continued his and Helvetius' philosophical doctrines.  Among the
+other Frenchmen of the day who were on intimate relations with
+Holbach and frequented his salon were La Condamine, Condillac,
+Condorcet, Turgot, Morellet, Raynal, Grimm, Marmontel, Colardeau,
+Saurin, Suard, Saint-Lambert, Thomas, Duclos, Chastellux, Boulanger,
+Darcet, Roux, Rouelle, Barthès, Venel, Leroy, Damilaville, Naigeon,
+Lagrange and lesser names,--but well known in Paris in the eighteenth
+century,--d'Alinville, Chauvelin, Desmahis, Gauffecourt, Margency,
+de Croismare, de Pezay, Coyer, de Valory, Charnoi, not to mention a
+host of others.
+
+Among Holbach's most intimate English friends were Hume, Garrick,
+Wilkes, Sterne, Gibbon, Horace Walpole, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin,
+Dr. Priestley, Lord Shelburne, Gen. Barré, Gen. Clark, Sir James
+MacDonald, Dr. Gem, Messrs. Stewart, Demster, Fordyce, Fitzmaurice,
+Foley, etc.  Holbach addressed a letter to Hume in 1762, before making
+his acquaintance, in which he expressed his admiration of his
+philosophy and the desire to know him personally. [18:26]  In 1764
+Hume came to Paris as secretary of the British Embassy and
+immediately called on Holbach and became a regular frequenter of
+his salon.  It was to Holbach that he wrote first on the outbreak
+of his quarrel with Rousseau and they corresponded at length in 
+egard to the publication of the _Exposé succinct_, which was to
+justify Hume in the eyes of the French.  Hume and Holbach had much
+in common intellectually, although the latter was far more
+thoroughgoing in his repudiation of Theism.
+
+David Garrick and his wife were frequent visitors at the rue
+Royale on their trips to Paris where they were very much liked by
+Holbach's society.  Nothing is more cordial or gracious than the
+compliments passed between them in their subsequent correspondence.
+There are two published letters from Holbach in Mr. Hedgecock's recent
+study of Garrick and his French friends, excellent examples of the
+happy spontaneity and sympathy that were characteristic of French
+sociability in the eighteenth century. [19:27]  Holbach in turn
+spent several months with Garrick at Hampton.
+
+Holbach's early friendship for Wilkes has already been mentioned.
+Wilkes spent a great deal of time in Paris on the occasion of his
+exiles from England and became very intimate with Holbach.  They
+corresponded up to the very end of Holbach's life and there was a
+constant interchange of friendly offices between them. [19:28]
+Miss Wilkes, who spent much time in Paris, was a very good friend
+of Mme. Holbach and Mlle. Helvetius.  Adam Smith often dined at
+Holbach's with Turgot and the economists; Gibbon also found his
+dinners agreeable except for the dogmatism of the atheists; Walpole
+resented it also and kept away.  Priestley seems to have gotten on
+very well, although the philosophers found his materialism and
+unitarianism a trifle inconsistent.  It was at Holbach's that
+Shelburne met Morellet with whom he carried on a long and serious
+correspondence on economics.  There seem to be no details of Holbach's
+relations with Franklin, who was evidently more assiduous at the
+salon of Mme. Helvetius whom he desired to marry.
+
+Holbach's best friend among the Italians was Abbé Galiani, secretary
+of the Neapolitan Embassy, who spent ten years in the salons of Paris.
+After his return to Naples his longing for Paris led him to a voluminous
+correspondence with his French friends including Holbach.  A few of
+their letters are extant.  Beccaria also came to Paris at the
+invitation of the translator of his _Crimes and Punishments_,
+Abbé Morellet, made on behalf of Holbach and his society.  Beccaria and
+his friend Veri, who accompanied him, had long been admirers of French
+philosophy, and the Frenchmen found much to admire in Beccaria's book.
+One _avocat-général_, M. Servan of the Parlement of Bordeaux, a friend
+of Holbach's, tried to put his reforms in practice and shared the
+fate of most reformers.  Holbach was also in correspondence with
+Beccaria, and one of his letters has been published in M. Landry's
+recent study of Beccaria.
+
+Among the other Italians whom Holbach befriended were Paulo Frizi,
+the mathematician; Dr. Gatti; Pincini, the musician; and Mme. Riccoboni,
+ex-actress and novelist; whose lively correspondence with Garrick
+whom she met at Holbach's sheds much light on the social relations of
+the century.
+
+Among the other foreigners who were friends or acquaintances of Holbach
+were his fellow countrymen, Frederich Melchon Grimm, like himself a
+naturalized Frenchman and the bosom friend of Diderot; Meister, his
+collaborator in the _Literary Correspondence_; Kohant, a Bohemian
+musician, composer, of the _Bergère des Alpes_ and Mme. Holbach's
+lute-teacher; Baron Gleichen, Comte de Creutz, Danish and Scandinavian
+diplomats; and a number of German nobles; the hereditary princes of
+Brunswick and Saxe Gotha, Baron Alaberg, afterwards elector of Mayence,
+Baron Schomberg and Baron Studitz.
+
+Among the well known women of the century Holbach was most intimate
+with Mme. d'Epinay, who became a very good friend of Mme. Holbach's
+and was present at the birth of her first son, and, in her will, left
+her a portrait by Rembrandt.  He was also a friend of Mme. Geoffrin,
+attended her salon, and knew Mlle. de Lespinasse, Mme. Houderot and
+most of the important women of the day.
+
+There are excellent sources from which to form an estimate of this
+man whose house was the social centre of the century.  Just after
+Holbach's death on January 21, 1789, Naigeon, his literary agent,
+who had lived on terms of the greatest intimacy with him for
+twenty-four years, wrote a long eulogy which filled the issue of
+the _Journal de Paris_ for Feb. 9.  There was another letter to
+the _Journal_ on Feb. 12.  Grimm's _Correspondance Littéraire_ for
+March contains a long account of him by Meister, and there are other
+notices in contemporary memoirs such as Morellet's and Marmontel's.
+All these accounts agree in picturing him as the most admirable of men.
+
+It must be remembered that Holbach always enjoyed what was held to be
+a considerable fortune in his day.  From his estates in Westphalia he
+had a yearly income of 60,000 _livres_ which he spent in entertaining.
+This freedom from economic pressure gave him leisure to devote his
+time to his chosen intellectual pursuits and to his friends.  He was
+a universally learned man.  He knew French, German, English, Italian
+and Latin extremely well and had a fine private library of about
+three thousand works often of several volumes each, in these languages
+and in Greek and Hebrew.  The catalogue of this library was published
+by Debure in 1789.  It would be difficult to imagine a more
+comprehensive and complete collection of its size.  He had also a
+rich collection of drawings by the best masters, fine pictures of
+which he was a connoisseur, bronzes, marbles, porcelains and a natural
+history cabinet, so in vogue in those days, containing some very
+valuable specimens.  He was one of the most learned men of his day
+in natural science, especially chemistry and mineralogy, and to his
+translations from the best German scientific works is largely due
+the spread of scientific learning in France in the eighteenth
+century.  Holbach was also very widely read in English theology and
+philosophy of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and derived his
+anti-theological inspiration from these two sources.  To this vast fund
+of learning, he joined an extreme modesty and simplicity.  He sought
+no academic honors, published all his works anonymously, and, had it
+not been for the pleasure he took in communicating his ideas to his
+friends, no one would have suspected his great erudition.  He had an
+extraordinary memory and the reputation of never forgetting anything
+of interest.  This plenitude of information, coupled with his easy and
+pleasant manner of talking, made his society much sought after.  Naigeon
+said of him (in his preface to the works of Lagrange):
+
+Personne n'était plus communicatif que M. le baron d'Holbach; personne
+ne prenait aux progrès de la raison un intérêt plus vif, plus sincère,
+et ne s'occupait avec plus de zèle et l'activité des moyens de les
+accélérer.
+
+Également versé dans la plupart des matières sur lesquelles il
+importe le plus à des êtres raisonnables d'avoir une opinion arrêtée,
+M. le baron d'Holbach portait dans leur discussion un jugement sain,
+une logique sévère, et une analyse exacte et précise.  Quelque fut
+l'objet de ses entretiens avec ses amis, ou même avec des indifférens,
+tels qu'en offrent plus ou moins toutes les sociétés; il inspirait
+sans effort à ceux qui l'écoutaient l'enthousiasme de l'art ou de la
+science dont il parlait; et on ne le quittait jamais sans regretter
+de n'avoir pas cultivé la branche particulière de connaissances qui
+avait fait le sujet de la conversation, sans désirer d'être plus
+instruit, plus éclairé, et surtout sans admirer la claret, la justesse
+de son esprit, et l'ordre dans lequel il savait présenter ses idées.
+
+This virtue of communicativeness, of _sociabilité_, Holbach carried
+into all the relations of life.  He was always glad to lend or give
+his books to anyone who could make use of them.  "Je suis riche," he
+used to say, "mais je ne vois dans la fortune qu'un instrument de plus
+pour opérer le bien plus promptement et plus efficacement."  In fact
+Holbach's whole principle of life and action was to increase the
+store of human well being.  And he did this without any religious
+motive whatsoever.  As Julie says of Wolmar in _La Nouvelle Heloïse_,
+"Il fait le bien sans espoir de récompense, il est plus vertueux,
+plus désintéressé que nous."  There are many recorded instances
+of Holbach's gracious benevolence.  As he said to Helvetius,
+"Vous êtes brouillé avec tous ceux que vous avez obligé, mais j'ai
+gardé tous mes amis."  Holbach had the faculty of attaching people
+to him.  Diderot tells how at the Salon of 1753 after Holbach had
+bought Oudry's famous picture, all the collectors who had passed it
+by came to him and offered him twice what he paid for it.  Holbach
+went to find the artist to ask him permission to cede the picture
+to his profit, but Oudry refused, saying that he was only too happy
+that his best work belonged to the man who was the first to appreciate
+it.  Instances of Holbach's liberality to Kohant, a poor musician,
+and to Suard, a poor literary man, are to be found in the pages of
+Diderot and Meister, and his constant generosity to his friends is
+a commonplace in their Memoirs and Correspondence.  Only Rousseau was
+ungrateful enough to complain that Holbach's free-handed gifts insulted
+his poverty.  His kindness to Lagrange, a young literary man whom he
+rescued from want, has been well told by M. Naigeon in the preface to
+the works of Lagrange (p. xviii).
+
+But perhaps the most touching instances of Holbach's benevolence
+are his relations with the peasants of Contrexéville, one of which
+was published in the _Journal de Lecture_, 1775, the other in an
+anonymous letter to the _Journal de Paris_, Feb. 12, 1789.  The
+first concerns the reconciliation of two old peasants who, not
+wanting to go to court, brought their differences to their respected
+friend for a settlement.  Nothing is more simple and beautiful than
+this homely tale as told in a letter of Holbach's to a friend of his.
+The second, which John Wilkes said ought to be written in letters of
+gold, deserves to be reproduced as a whole.
+
+L'éloge funèbre que M. Naigeon a consacré à la mémoire de M. le
+Baron d'Holbach suffit pour donner une idée juste de ses lumières,
+mais le hasard m'a mis à portée de les juger encore mieux.  J'ai vu
+M. le Baron d'Holbach dans deux voyages que j'ai faits aux eaux de
+Contrexéville.  S'occuper de sa souffrance et de sa guérison, c'est
+le soin de chaque malade.  M. le Baron d'Holbach devenait le médecin,
+l'ami, le consolateur de quiconque venait aux eaux et il semblait bien
+moins occupé de ses infirmités que de celles des autres.  Lorsque des
+malades indigens manquaient de secours, ou pécuniaires ou curatifs, il
+les leur procurait avec un plaisir qui lui faisait plus de bien que
+les eaux.  Je me promenais un soir avec lui sur une hauteur couverte
+d'un massif de bois qui fait perspective de loin et près duquel s'élève
+un petit Hermitage.  Là, demeure un cénobite qui n'a de revenu que
+les aumônes de ceux dont il reçoit les visites.  Nous acquittâmes
+chacun notre dette hospitalière.  En prenant congé de l'Hermite,
+M. le Baron d'Holbach me dit de le précéder un instant et qu'il
+allait me suivre.  Je le précédai, et comme il ne me suivait pas
+je m'arrêtai, pour l'attendre sur un terte exhaussé d'où l'on découvre
+tout le pays.  Je contemplais le canton que je dominais, plongé dans
+une douce rêverie.  J'en fus tiré par des cris et je me retournai
+vers l'endroit d'òu ils partaient.  Je vis M. le Baron d'Holbach
+environné d'une vieille femme et de deux villageois, l'un vieux
+comme elle et l'autre jeune.  Tous trois, les larmes aux yeux,
+l'embrassaient hautement.  Allez vous-en donc, s'écrait M. le
+Baron d'Holbach; laissez moi, on m'attend, ne me suivez pas, adieu;
+je reviendrai l'année prochaine.  En me voyant arriver vers eux,
+les trois personnes reconnaissantes disparurent.  Je lui demandai
+le sujet de tant de bénédictions.  Ce jeune paysan que vous avez vu
+s'etait engagé, j'ai obtenu de son colonel sa liberté en payant les
+cents écus prescrits par l'ordonnance.  Il est amoureux d'une jeune
+paysanne aussi pauvre que lui, je viens d'acheter pour eux un petit
+bien qui m'a coûté huit cent francs.  Le vieux père est perclus, aux
+deux bras, de rhumatismes, je lui ai fourni trois boîtes du baume
+des Valdejeots, si estimé en ce pays-ci.  La vieille mère est sujetté
+à des maux d'estomac, et je lui ai apporté un pot de confection
+d'hyacinthe.  Ils travaillaient dans le champ, voisin du bois, je suis
+allé les voir tandis que vous marchiez en avant.  Ils m'ont suivi
+malgré moi.  Ne parlez de cela à personne.  On dirait que je veux
+faire le généreux et le bon philosophe, mais je ne suis que humain,
+et mes charités sont la plus agréable dépense de mes voyages.
+
+This humanity of Holbach's is the very keynote of his character and
+of his intellectual life as well.  As M. Walferdin has said, the
+denial of the supernatural was for him the base of all virtue, and
+resting on this principle, he exemplified social qualities that do the
+greatest honor to human nature.  He and Madame Holbach are the only
+conspicuous examples of conjugal fidelity and happiness among all the
+people that one has occasion to mention in a study of the intellectual
+and literary circles of the eighteenth century.  They were devoted to
+each other, to their children and to their friends.  Considering the
+traits of Holbach's character that have been cited, there can scarcely
+be two opinions in regard to completeness with which he realized his
+ideal of humanity and sociability.  M. Naigeon has well summed up in
+a few words Holbach's relation to the only duties that he recognized,
+"He was a good husband, a good father and a good friend."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.  HOLBACH'S WORKS.
+
+
+Holbach's published works, with the exception of a few scattered ones,
+may be divided into three classes, viz., translations of German
+scientific works, translations of English deistical writings, and his
+own works on theology, philosophy, politics and morals.  Those which
+fall into none of these categories can be dealt with very summarily.
+They are:
+
+1. Two pamphlets on the musical dispute of 1752; _Lettre à une dame
+d'un certain âge sur l'état présent de l'Opéra_, (8vo, pp. 11) and
+_Arrêt rendu à l'amphithéâtre de l'Opéra_, (8vo, pp. 16,) both directed
+against French music and in line with Grimm's _Petit Prophète_ and
+Rousseau's _Lettre sur la musique française_.
+
+2. A translation in prose of Akenside's _The Pleasures of Imagination_
+(Paris, 1759, 8vo).
+
+3. A translation of Swift's _History of the Reign of Queen Anne_ in
+collaboration with M. Eidous (Amsterdam, 1765, 12mo, pp. xxiv + 416).
+
+4. Translations of an _Ode on Human Life_ and a _Hymn to the Sun_
+in the _Variétés littéraires_ (1768).
+
+5. Articles on natural science in the _Encyclopédie_ and article
+_Prononciation des langues_ in the _Dictionnaire de Grammaire_
+of the _Encyclopédie méthodique_.
+
+6. Translation of Wallerius' _Agriculture reduced to its true
+principles_ (Paris, 1774, 12mo).
+
+7. Two _Facéties philosophiques_ published in Grimm's _Correspondence
+Littéraire.  _L'Abbé et le Rabbin_, and _Essai sur l'art de ramper,
+à l'usage des courtisans_.
+
+8. Parts of Raynal's _Histoire philosophique des deux Indes_.
+
+9. Notes to Lagrange's _Vie de Senèque_.
+
+
+Holbach's translations of German scientific works are as follows:
+(Complete titles to be found in Bibliography, Pt. I.)
+
+1. _Art de la Verrerie de Neri, Merret, et Kunckel_ (Paris, Durand,
+1752).  Original work in Italian.  Latin translation by
+Christopher Merret.  German translation by J. Kunckel of Löwenstern.
+Holbach's translation comprises the seven books of Antionio Neri,
+Merret's notes on Neri, Kunckel's observations on both these authors,
+his own experiments and others relative to glass-making.  The translation
+was dedicated to Malesherbes who had desired to see the best German
+scientific works published in French.  In his _Préface du Traducteur_
+Holbach writes:
+
+L'envie de me rendre utile, dont tout citoyen doit être animé, m'a
+fait entreprendre l'ouvrage que je présente au Public.  S'il a le
+bonheur de mériter son approbation, quoiqu'il y ait peu de gloire
+attachée au travail ingrat et fastidieux d'un Traducteur, je me
+déterminerai à donner les meilleurs ouvrages allemands, sur
+l'Histoire Naturelle, la Minéralogie, la Métallurgie et la Chymie.
+Tout le monde sait que l'Allemagne possede en ce genre des trésors
+qui ont été jusqu'ici comme enfouis pour la France.
+
+2. _Minéralogie ou Description générale du règne mineral par
+J. G. Wallerius_ (Paris, Durand, 1753) followed by _Hydrologie_
+by the same author.  Second edition, Paris, Herrissant, 1759.
+Originally in Swedish (Wallerius was a professor of chemistry
+in the University of Upsala).  German translation by J. D. Denso,
+Professor of Chemistry, Stargard, Pomerania.  Holbach's translation
+was made from the German edition which Wallerius considered
+preferable to the Swedish.  He was assisted by Bernard de Jussien
+and Rouelle, and the work was dedicated to a friend and co-worker
+in the natural sciences, Monsieur d'Arclais de Montamy.
+
+3. _Introduction à la Minéralogie... oeuvre posthume de
+M. J. F. Henckel_, Paris, Cavelier, 1756, first published under title
+_Henckelius in Mineralogiâ redivivus_, Dresden, 1747, by his pupil,
+M. Stephani, as an outline of his lectures.  Holbach's translation
+made from a German edition, corrected, with notes on new discoveries
+added.
+
+4. _Chimie métallurgique... par M. C. Gellert_.  Paris, Briasson,
+1758, translated earlier.  Approbation May 1, 1753, Privilege
+Dec. 21, 1754.  Originally a text written by Gellert for four
+artillery officers whom the King of Sardinia sent to Freyburg to
+learn mining-engineering.
+
+5. _Traités de physique, d'histoire naturelle, de mineralogy et
+de métallurgie_.  Paris, Herrissant, 1759, by J. G. Lehmann, three
+vols.  I. L'Art des Mines, II. Traité de la formation des métaux,
+III. Essai d'une histoire naturelle des couches de la terre.
+In his preface to the third volume Holbach has some interesting
+remarks about the deluge, the irony of which seems to have escaped
+the royal censor, Millet, _Docteur en Théologie_.
+
+"La description si précise et si détaillée que Moïse fait
+du Deluge dans la Genèse, ayant une autorité infaillible, puis
+qu'elle n'est autre que celle de Dieu même, nous rend certains
+de la réalité et de l'universalité de ce châtiment terrible.
+Il s'agit simplement d'examiner si les naturalistes, tels que
+Woodward, Schenchzer, Buttner et M. Lehmann lui-même ne se sont
+points trompés, lorsqu'ils ont attribué à cet événement
+seul la formation des couches de la terre et lorsqu'ils
+s'en sont servis pour expliquer l'état actuel de notre globe.
+Il semble que rien ne doit nous empêcher d'agiter cette question;
+l'Ecriture sainte se contente de nous apprendre la voie
+miraculeuse dont Dieu s'est servi pour punir les crimes du
+genre humain; elle ne dit rien qui puisse limiter les
+sentiments des naturalistes sur les autres effets physiques que
+le déluge a pu produire.  C'est une matière qu'elle paroît avoir
+abandonnée aux disputes des hommes."  He then proceeds to
+question whether the deluge could have produced the results
+attributed to it and argues against catastrophism which, it
+must be remembered, was the received geological doctrine down
+to the days of Lyell.  "Les causes les plus simples sont capables
+de produire au bout des siècles les effets les plus grands, surtout
+lorsqu'elles agissent incessament; et nous voyons toutes ces causes
+réunies agir perpétuellement sous nos yeux.  Concluons, donc, de tout
+ce qui précède, que le déluge, seul et les feux souterrains seuls ne
+suffisent point pour expliquer la formation des couches de la terre.
+On risquera toujours de se tromper, lorsque par l'envie de simplifier
+on voudra dériver tous les phénomènes de la nature d'une seule et
+unique cause."
+
+6. _Pyritologie_ by J. F. Henkel, Paris, Herrissant, 1760, a large
+volume in quarto, translated by Holbach.  It contains _Flora Saturnisans_
+(translated by M. Charas and reviewed by M. Roux), Henkel's
+_Opuscules Minéralogiques_ and other treatises.  Original editions:
+_Pyritologia_, Leipzig, 1725, 1754; _Flora Saturnisans_, Leipzig, 1721;
+_De Appropriatione Chymica_, Dresden, 1727, and _De Lapidum origine_,
+Dresden, 1734, translated into German, with excellent notes, Dresden,
+1744, by M. C. F. Zimmermann, a pupil of M. Henkel.  Holbach's translations
+seem to have been well received because he writes in this preface:
+"Je m'estimerai heureux si mon travail peut contribuer à entretenir
+et augmenter le goût universel qu'on a conçu pour le saine physique."
+
+7. _Oeuvres métallurgiques_ de M. J. C. Orschall, Paris, Hardy, 1760.
+Orschall still accepted the old alchemist tradition but was sound in
+practice and was the best authority on copper.  Holbach does not attempt
+to justify his physics which was that of the preceding century.  Orschall
+was held in high esteem by Henckel and Stahl.
+
+8. _Recueil des mémoires des Académies d'Upsal et de Stockholm_, Paris,
+Didot, 1764.  These records of experiments made in the Royal Laboratories
+of Sweden, founded in 1683 by Charles XI, had already been translated
+into German and English.  Holbach's translation was made from the German
+and Latin.  He promises further treatises on Agriculture, Natural History
+and Medicine.
+
+9. _Traité du Soufre_ by G. E. Stahl, Paris, Didot, 1766.  In speaking of
+Stahl's theories Holbach says: "Il ne faut pas croire que ces connaissances
+soient des vérités stériles propres seulement à satisfaire une vaine
+curiosité, elles ont leur application aux travaux de la métallurgie qui
+leur doivent la perfection où on les a portés depuis quelques temps."
+Holbach understood very clearly the utility of science in his scheme of
+increasing the store of human well-being, and would doubtless have
+translated other useful works had not other interests prevented.  There is
+a MSS. note of his in the Bibliothèque Nationale to M. Malesherbes, then
+Administrateur de la Librairie Royale; suggesting other German treatises
+that might well be translated. (MSS. 22194).
+
+
+HOLBACH TO MALESHERBES
+
+_Monsieur_
+
+J'ai l'honneur de vous envoyer ci-joint la liste des ouvrages dont
+M. Liège fils pourrait entreprendre la traduction.  Je n'en connais
+actuellement point d'autres qui méritent l'attention du public.
+M. Macquer m'a écrit une lettre qui a pour objet les mêmes choses
+dont vous m'avez fait l'honneur de me parler, et je lui fais la même
+réponse.
+
+J'ai l'honneur d'être avec respect, Monsieur,
+
+	Votre très obéissant serviteur
+	D'HOLBACH
+à Paris ce 6 d'avril 1761
+
+
+The list of books was as follows:
+
+1. Johann Kunckel's _Laboratorium Chymicum_, 8vo.
+
+2. Georg Ernest Stahl's _Commentary on Becher's Metallurgy_, 8vo.
+
+3. _Concordantia Chymica Becheri_, 40º, published by Stahl.
+
+4. _Cadmologia_, or the _Natural History of Cobalt_, by
+J. G. Lehmann, Berlin, 1760, 4°.
+
+
+After 1760 Holbach became interested in another line of intellectual
+activity, namely the writing and translation of anti-religious
+literature.  His first book of this sort really appeared in 1761
+although no copies bear this date.  From 1767 on however he published
+a great many works of this character.  It is convenient to deal first
+with his translations of English deistical writers.  They are in
+chronological order.
+
+1. _Esprit du clergé, ou le Christianisme primitif vengé des
+entreprises et des excès de nos Prêtres modernes_.  Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1767.  This book appeared in England in 1720 under
+the title of _The Independent Whig_; its author was Thomas Gordon
+(known through his Commentaries on Sallust and Tacitus) who wrote
+in collaboration with John Trenchard.  The book was partially
+rewritten by Holbach and then touched up by Naigeon, who, according
+to a manuscript note by his brother, "atheised it as much as
+possible."  It was sold with great secrecy and at a high price--
+a reward which the colporters demanded for the risk they ran in
+peddling seditious literature.  The book was a violent attack on
+the spirit of domination which characterized the Christian
+priesthood at that time.
+
+2. _De L'imposture sacerdotale, ou Recueil de Pièces sur le
+clergé_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1767.  Another edition 1772 under
+title _De la Monstruosité pontificale_ etc.
+
+Contains translations of various pamphlets including
+Davisson, _A true picture of Popery_; Brown, _Popery a Craft_,
+London 1735; Gordon, _Apology for the danger of the church_,
+1719; Gordon, _The Creed of an Independent Whig_, 1720.
+
+3. _Examen des Prophéties qui servent de fondement à la
+religion Chrétienne_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768.
+Translation of Anthony Collins, _A Discourse on the Grounds and
+Reasons of the Christian Religion_, London, 1724.
+Contains also _The Scheme of literal Prophecy considered_, 1727,
+also by Collins in answer to the works of Clarke, Sherlock,
+Chandler, Sykes, and especially to Whiston's _Essay towards
+restoring the text of the Old Testament_, one of the thirty-
+five works directed against Collins' original _"Discourse"_.
+Copies of this work have become very rare.
+
+4. _David, ou l'histoire de l'homme selon le coeur de Dieu_.
+Londres (Amsterdam), 1768.  This work appeared in England in 1761
+and is attributed to Peter Annet, also to John Noorthook.  Some
+English eulogists of George II, Messrs. Chandler, Palmer and
+others, had likened their late King to David, "the man after
+God's own heart."  The deists, struck by the absurdity of the
+comparison, proceeded to relate all the scandalous facts they
+could find recorded of David, and by clever distortions painted
+him as the most execrable of Kings, in a work entitled _David or
+the Man after God's Own Heart_, which formed the basis of Holbach's
+translation.
+
+5. _Les prêtres démasqués ou des iniquités du clergé chrétien_.
+Londres, 1768.  Translation of four discourses published under
+the title _The Ax laid to the root of Christian Priestcraft
+by a layman_, London, T. Cooper, 1742.  A rare volume.
+
+6. _Lettres philosophiques..._ Londres (Amsterdam, 1768).
+Translation of J. Toland's _Letters to Serena_, London, 1704.
+The book, which had become very rare in Holbach's time, had
+caused a great scandal at the time of its publication and was
+much sought after by collectors.  It contains five letters,
+the first three of which are by Toland, the other two and the
+preface by Holbach and Naigeon.  The matters treated are, the
+origin of prejudices, the dogma of the immortality of the soul,
+idolatry, superstition, the system of Spinoza and the origin of
+movement in matter.
+
+Diderot said of these works, in writing to Mlle. Volland
+Nov. 22, 1768 (_Oeuvres_, Vol. XVIII, p. 308): "Il pleut des
+bombes dans la maison du Seigneur.  Je tremble toujours que
+quelqu'un de ces téméraires artilleurs-là ne s'en trouve mal.
+Ce sont les _Lettres philosophiques_ traduites, ou  supposées
+traduites, de l'anglais de Toland; c'est _l'Examen des
+prophéties_; c'est la _Vie de David ou de l'homme selon là
+coeur de Dieu_, ce sont mélle diables déchainés.--Ah!
+Madame de Blacy, je crains bien que le Fils de l'Homme ne
+soit à la porte; que la venue d'Elie ne soit proche, et que
+nous ne touchions au règne de l'Anti-christ.  Tous les jours,
+quand je me lève, je regarde par ma fenêtre, si la grande
+prostituée de Babylone ne se promène point déjà dans les
+rues avec sa grande coupe à la main et s'il ne se fait aucun
+des signes prédits dans le firmament."
+
+7. _De la Cruauté religieuse_, Londres (Amsterdam).
+_Considerations upon war, upon cruelty in general and religious
+cruelty in particular_, London, printed for Thomas Hope, 1761.
+
+8. _Dissertation critique sur les tourmens de l'enfer_ printed
+in an original work, _L'Enfer détruit_, Londres (Amsterdam),
+1769.  A translation of Whitefoot's _The Torments of Hell,
+the foundation and pillars thereof discover'd, search'd,
+shaken and remov'd_.  London, 1658.
+
+9. In the _Recueil philosophique_ edited by Naigeon, Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1770.
+I. Dissertation sur l'immortalité de l'âme.  Translated from Hume.
+II. Dissertation sur le suicide (Hume).
+III. Extrait d'un livre Anglais qui a pour titre le Christianisme
+aussi ancien que le monde. (Tindal, Christianity as old as Creation.)
+
+10. _Esprit de Judaïsme, ou Examen raisonné de la Loi de Moyse_.
+Londres (Amsterdam), 1770 (1769), translated from Anthony Collins.
+With the exception of some of Holbach's own works this is one of
+the fiercest denunciations of Judaism and Christianity to be found
+in print.  In fact, it is very much in the style of Holbach's
+anti-religious works and shows beyond a doubt that Holbach derived
+his inspiration from Collins and the more radical of the English
+school.  The volume has become exceedingly rare.
+
+After outlining the history of Judaism the book ends thus:
+
+Ose, donc enfin, ô Europe! secouer le joug insupportable des
+préjugés qui t'affligent.  Laisse à des Hébreux stupides, à des
+frénétiques imbéciles, à des Asiatiques lâches et dégradés, ces
+superstitions aussi avilissantes qu'insensées: elles ne sont point
+faites pour les habitans de ton climat.  Occupe-toi du soin de
+perfectionner tes gouvernemens, de corriger tes lois, de réformer
+tes abus, de régler tes moeurs, et ferme pour toujours les yeux
+à ces vraies chimères, qui depuis tant de siècles n'ont servi qu'à
+retarder tes progrès vers la science véritable et à t'écarter de
+la route du bonheur.
+
+11. _Examen critique de la vie et des ouvrages de Saint Paul_,
+Londres (Amsterdam), 1770.  A free translation of Peter Annet's
+_History and character of St. Paul examined_, written in answer
+to Lyttelton.  New edition 1790 and translated back into English
+"from the French of Boulanger," London, R. Carlile, 1823.  A
+rather unsympathetic account, but with flashes of real insight
+into "le système religieux des Chrétiens dont S. Paul fut
+évidemment le véritable architecte." (Epître dédicatoire.)
+
+Annet said of Paul's type of man "l'enthousiaste s'enivre,
+pour l'ainsi dire, de son propre vin, il se persuade que la
+cause de ses passions est la cause de Dieu (p. 72), mais
+quelque violent qu'ait pu être l'enthousiasme de S. Paul, il
+sentait très bien que la doctrine qu'il prêchait devait paraître
+bizarre et insensée à des êtres raisonnables" (p. 141).
+
+12. _De la nature humaine, ou Exposition des facultés, des
+actions et des passions de l'âme_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1772.
+(Thomas Hobbes.)  Reprinted in a French Edition of Hobbes'
+works by Holbach and Sorbière, 1787.  Appeared first in English
+in 1640, omitted in a Latin Edition of Hobbes printed in Amsterdam.
+In spite of its brevity, Holbach considered this one of Hobbes'
+most important and luminous works.
+
+13. _Discours sur les Miracles de Jesus Christ_ (Amsterdam, 1780?).
+Translated from Woolston, whom Holbach admired very much for his
+uncompromising attitude toward truth.  He suffered fines and
+imprisonments, but would not give up the privilege of writing
+as he pleased.  The present discourse was the cause of a quarrel
+with his friend Whiston.  He died Jan. 27, 1733, "avec beaucoup de
+fermeté... il se ferma les yeux et la bouche de ses propres mains,
+et rendit l'esprit."  This work exists in a manuscript book
+of 187 pages, written very fine, in the Bibliothèque Nationale
+(Mss. français 15224) and was current in France long before 1780.
+In fact it is mentioned by Grimm before 1770, but the dictionaries
+(Barber, Quérard) generally date it from 1780.
+
+
+Before turning to Holbach's original works mention should be made of
+a very interesting and extraordinary book that he brought to light,
+retouched, and later used as a kind of shield against the attacks of
+the parliaments upon his own works.
+
+In 1766 he published a work entitled _L'Antiquité dévoilée par ses
+usages, ou Examen critique des principales Opinions, Cérémonies et
+Institutions religieuses et politiques des différens Peuples de la
+Terre_.  Par feu M. Boulanger, Amsterdam, 1766.  This is a work based
+on an original manuscript by Boulanger, who died in 1759, preceded
+by an excellent letter on him by Diderot, published also in the
+_Gazette Littéraire_.
+
+The use made by Holbach of Boulanger's name makes it necessary to
+consider for a moment this almost forgotten writer.  Nicholas Antoine
+Boulanger was born in 1722.  As a child he showed so little aptitude
+for study that later his teachers could scarcely believe that he had
+turned out to be a really learned man.  As Diderot observes, "ces
+exemples d'enfans, rendus ineptes entre les mains des Pédans qui
+les abrutissent en dépit de la nature la plus heureuse, ne sont
+pas rares, cependant ils surprennent toujours" (p. 1).  Boulanger
+studied mathematics and architecture, became an engineer and was
+employed by the government as inspector of bridges and highways.
+He passed a busy life in exacting outdoor work but at the same time
+his active intellect played over a large range of human interests.
+He became especially concerned with historical origins and set himself
+to learn Latin and Greek that he might get at the sources.  Not
+satisfied that he had come to the root of the matter he learned Arabic,
+Syriac, Hebrew and Chaldean.  Diderot says "Il lisait et étudiait
+partout, je l'ai moi-même rencontré sur les grandes routes avec un auteur
+rabinnique à la main."  He made a _mappemonde_ in which the globe is
+divided in two hemispheres, one occupied by the continents, the other
+by the oceans, and by a singular coincidence he found that the
+meridian of the continental hemisphere passed through Paris.  Some
+such rearrangement of hemispheres is one of the commonplaces of
+modern geography.  He furnished such articles as, _Deluge, Corvée, Société_
+for the Encyclopedia and wrote several large and extremely learned books,
+among them _Recherches sur l'origine du Despotisme oriental_ and
+_Antiquité dévoilée_.  He died from overwork at the age of thirty-seven.
+
+Boulanger's ideas on philosophy, mythology, anthropology and history
+are of extraordinary interest today.  Diderot relates his saying--"Que
+si la philosophie avait trouvé tant d'obstacles parmi nous c'était
+qu'on avait commencé par où il aurait fallu finir, par des maximes
+abstraites, des raisonnemens généraux, des réflexions subtiles qui
+ont révolté par leur étrangeté et leur hardiesse et qu'on aurait
+admises sans peine si elles avaient été précédées de l'histoire des
+faits."  He carried over this inductive method into realm of history,
+which he thought had been approached from the wrong side, i.e., the
+metaphysical, "par consulter les lumières de la raison" (p. 8).  He
+continues, "j'ai pensé qu'il devait y avoir quelques circonstances
+_particulières_.  Un fait et non une spéculation métaphysique m'a
+toujours semblé devoir être et tribut naturel et nécessaire de
+l'histoire."  Curiously enough the central fact in history appeared
+to Boulanger to be the deluge, and on the basis of it he attempted to
+interpret the _Kulturgeschichte_ of humanity.  It is a bit unfortunate
+that he took the deluge quite as literally as he did; his idea, however,
+is obviously the influence of environmental pressure on the changing
+beliefs and practices of mankind.  Under the spell of this new point
+of view, he writes, "Ce qu'on appelle l'histoire n'en est que la partie
+la plus ingrate, la plus uniforme, la plus inutile, quoi qu'elle soit
+la plus connue.  La véritable histoire est couverte par le voile des
+temps" (p. 7).  Boulanger however was not to be daunted and on the
+firm foundation of the fact of some ancient and universal catastrophe,
+as recorded on the surface of the earth and in human mythology, he
+proceeds to inquire into the moral effects of the changes in the
+physical environment back to which if possible the history of antiquity
+must be traced.  Man's defeat in his struggle with the elements made
+him religious, _hinc prima mali labes_.  "Son premier pas fut un faux
+pas, sa première maxime fut une erreur" (p. 4 sq).  But it was not his
+fault nor has time repaired the evil moral effects of that early
+catastrophe.  "Les grandes révolutions physiques de notre globe sont
+les véritables époques de l'histoire des nations " (p. 9).  Hence have
+arisen the various psychological states through which mankind has passed.
+Contemporary savages are still in the primitive state--Boulanger
+properly emphasizes the relation of anthropology to history--"On aperçoit
+qu'il y a une nouvelle manière de voir et d'écrire l'histoire des hommes"
+(p. 12) and with a vast store of anthropological and folklorist learning
+he writes it so that his assailant, Fabry d'Autrey, in his _Antiquité
+justifiée_ (Paris, 1766) is obliged to say with truth, "Ce n'est point
+ici un tissus de mensonges grossiers, de sophismes rebattus et bouffons,
+appliqués d'un air méprisant aux objets les plus intéressants pour
+l'humanité.  C'est une enterprise sérieuse et réfléchie" (p. 11).
+
+In 1767 Holbach published his first original work, a few copies of
+which had been printed in Nancy in 1761.  This work was _Le Christianisme
+dévoilé ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion Chrétienne_.
+Par feu  M. Boulanger.  Londres (Amsterdam), 1767.  There were several
+other editions the same year, one printed at John Wilkes' private press
+in Westminster.  It was reprinted in later collections of Boulanger's
+works, and went through several English and Spanish editions.  The form
+of the title and the attribution of the work to Boulanger were designed
+to set persecution on the wrong track.  There has been some discussion
+as to its authorship.  Voltaire and Laharpe attributed it to Damilaville,
+at whose book shop it was said to have been sold, but M. Barbier has
+published detailed information given him by Naigeon to the effect that
+Holbach entrusted his manuscript to M. De Saint-Lambert, who had it
+printed by Leclerc at Nancy in 1761.  Most of the copies that got to
+Paris at that time were bought by several officers of the King's
+regiment then in garrison at Nancy, among them M. de Villevielle, a
+friend of Voltaire and of Condorcet.  Damilaville did not sell a
+single copy and even had a great deal of trouble to get one for
+Holbach who waited for it a long time.  This circumstantial evidence
+is of greater value than the statement of Voltaire who was in the habit
+of attributing anonymous works to whomever he pleased. [39:2]
+
+The edition of 1767 was printed in Amsterdam as were most of Holbach's
+works.  We have the details of their publication from Naigeon _cadet_,
+a copyist, whose brother, J. A. Naigeon, was Holbach's literary factotum.
+In a manuscript note in his copy of the _Système de la Nature_ he tells
+how he copied nearly all Holbach's works, either at Paris or at Sedan,
+where he was stationed, and where his friend Blon, the postmaster, aided
+him, passing the manuscripts on to a Madame Loncin in Liège, who in turn
+was a correspondent of Marc-Michel Rey, the printer in Amsterdam.
+Sometimes they were sent directly by the diligence or through travellers.
+This account agrees perfectly with information given M. Barbier orally
+by Naigeon _aîné_.  After being printed in Holland the books were smuggled
+into France _sous le manteau_, as the expression is, and sold at absurd
+rates by colporters. [40:3]
+
+Diderot writing to Falconet early in 1768 [40:4] says: "Il pleut des
+livres incrédules.  C'est un feu roulant qui crible le sanctuaire
+de toutes parts... L'intolérance du gouvernment s'accroit de jour en
+jour.  On dirait que c'est un projet formé d'éteindre ici les lettres,
+de ruiner le commerce de librairie et de nous réduire à la besace et à
+la stupidité... _Le Christianisme dévoilé_ s'est vendu jusqu'à quatre
+louis."
+
+When caught the colporters were severely punished.  Diderot gives
+the following instance in a letter to Mlle. Volland Oct. 8, 1768
+(Avézac-Lavigne, _Diderot_, p. 161): "Un apprenti avait reçu, en
+payment ou autrement, d'un colporteur appelé Lécuyer, deux exemplaires
+du _Christianisme dévoilé_ et il avait vendu un de ces exemplaires à
+son patron.  Celui-ci le défère au lieutenant de police.  Le colporteur,
+sa femme et l'apprenti sont arrêtés tous les trois; ils viennent d'être
+piloriés, fouettés et marqués, et l'apprenti condamné à neuf ans de
+galères, le colporteur à cinq ans, et la femme à l'hôpital pour toute
+sa vie."
+
+There are two very interesting pieces of contemporary criticism
+of _Le Christianisme dévoilé_, one by Voltaire, the other by
+Grimm.  Voltaire writes in a letter to Madame de Saint Julien
+December 15, 1766 (_Oeuvres_, XLIV, p. 534, ed. Garnier): "Vous
+m'apprenez que, dans votre société, on m'attribue _Le Christianisme
+dévoilé_ par feu M. Boulanger, mais je vous assure que les gens au
+fait ne m'attribuent point du tout cet ouvrage.  J'avoue avec vous
+qu'il y a de la clarté, de la chaleur, et quelque fois de l'éloquence;
+mais il est plein de répétitions, de négligences, de fautes contre
+la langue et je serais très-fâché de l'avoir fait, non seulement comme
+académicien, mais comme philosophe, et encore plus comme citoyen.
+
+"Il est entièrement opposé à mes principes.  Ce livre conduit à
+l'athéisme que je déteste.  J'ai toujours regardé l'athéisme comme
+le plus grand égarement de la raison, parce qu'il est aussi ridicule
+de dire que l'arrangement du monde ne prouve pas un artisan suprême
+qu'il serait impertinent de dire qu'une horloge ne prouve pas un horloger.
+
+"Je ne réprouve pas moins ce livre comme citoyen; l'auteur paraît
+trop ennemi des puissances.  Des hommes qui penseraient comme lui
+ne formeraient qu'une anarchie: et je vois trop, par l'example de
+Genève, combien l'anarchie est à craindre.  Ma coutume est d'écrire
+sur la marge de mes livres ce que je pense d'eux, vous verrez, quand
+vous daignerez venir à Ferney, les marges de _Christianisme dévoilé_
+chargés de remarques qui montrent que l'auteur s'est trompé sur les
+faits les plus essentiels."  These notes may be read in Voltaire's
+works (Vol. XXXI, p. 129, ed. Garnier) and the original copy of
+_Le Christianisme dévoilé_ in which he wrote them is in the British
+Museum (c 28, k 3) where it is jealously guarded as one of the most
+precious autographs of the Patriarch of Ferney.
+
+Grimm's notice is from the _Correspondance Littéraire_ of August 15,
+1763 (Vol. V, p. 367).  "Il existe un livre intitulé _le Christianisme
+dévoilé ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion Chrétienne_,
+par feu M. Boulanger, volume in 8º.  On voit d'abord qu'on lui a donné
+ce titre pour en faire le pendant de _l'Antiquité dévoilée_; mais il
+ne faut pas beaucoup se connaître en manière pour sentir que ces deux
+ouvrages ne sont pas sortis de la même plume.  On peut assurer avec
+la même certitude que celui dont nous parlons ne vient point de la
+fabrique de Ferney, parce que j'aimerais mieux croire que le patriache
+eût pris la lune avec ses dents; cela serait moins impossible que de
+guetter sa manière et son allure si complètement qu'il n'en restât
+aucune trace quelconque.  Par la même raison, je ne crois ce livre
+d'aucun de nos philosophes connus, parce que je n'y trouve la manière
+d'aucun de ceux qui ont écrit.  D'òu vient-il donc?  Ma foi, je serais
+fâché de le savoir, et je crois que l'auteur aura sagement fait de ne
+mettre personne dans son secret.  C'est le livre le plus hardi et le
+plus terrible qui ait jamais parti dans aucun lieu du monde.  La
+préface consiste dans une lettre où l'auteur examine si la réligion
+est reéllement nécessaire ou seulement utile au maintien ou à la police
+des empires, et s'il convient de la respecter sous ce point de vue.
+Comme il établit la négative, il entreprend en conséquence de prouver,
+par son ouvrage, l'absurdité et l'incohérence du dogme Chrétien et de
+la mythologie qui en résulte, et l'influence de cette absurdité sur
+les têtes et sur les âmes.  Dans la seconde partie, il examine la
+morale chrétienne, et il prétend prouver que dans ses principes
+généraux elle n'a aucun avantage sur toutes les morales du monde,
+parce que la justice et la bonté sont recommandées dans tous les
+catéchismes de l'univers, et que chez aucun peuple, quelque barbare
+qu'il fut, on n'a jamais enseigné qu'il fallût être injuste et méchant.
+Quant à ce que la morale chrétienne a de particulier, l'auteur pretend
+démontrer qu'elle ne peut convenir qu'à des enthousiastes peu propres
+aux devoirs de la société, pour lesquels les hommes sont dans ce monde.
+Il entreprend de prouver, dans la troisième partie, que la religion
+chrétienne a eu les effets politiques les plus sinistres et les plus
+funestes, et que le genre humain lui doit tous les malheurs dont il a
+été accablé depuis quinze à dix-huit siècles, sans qu'on en puisse
+encore prévoir la fin.
+
+Ce livre est écrit avec plus de véhémence que de véritable éloquence;
+il entraine.  Son style est châtié et correct, quoique un peu dur et
+sec; son ton est grave et soutenu.  On n'y apprend rien de nouveau,
+et cependant il attache et intéresse.  Malgré son incroyable témérité,
+on ne peut refuser à l'auteur la qualité d'homme de bien fortement
+épris du bonheur de sa race et de la prospérité des sociétés; mais
+je pense que ses bonnes intentions seraient une sauvegarde bien
+faible contre les mandements et les réquisitions."  This is a clear
+and fair account of a book that is without doubt the severest criticism
+of the theory and practice of historical Christianity ever put in print.
+
+The church very naturally did not let such a book pass unanswered.
+Abbé Bergier, a heavy person, triumphantly refuted Holbach in eight
+hundred pages in his _Apologia de la Religion Chrétienne contre
+l'Auteur du Christianisme dévoilé_, Paris, 1769, which finishes
+with the fatal prophecy, "Nous avons de surs garans de nos espérances:
+tant que le sang auguste de S. Louis sera sur le trône, _il n'y a
+point de révolutions à craindre ni dans la Religion ni dans la
+politique_.  La religion Chrétienne fondée sur la parole de Dieu...
+triomphera des nouveaux Philosophes.  Dieu qui veille sur son ouvrage
+n'a pas besoin de nos faibles mains pour le soutenir"
+(Psaume 32, vs. 10, 11).
+
+2. There already existed in 1767 another work by Holbach entitled
+_Théologie portative ou Dictionnaire Abrégé de la Religion Chrétienne.
+Par Mr Abbé Bernier_.  Londres (Amsterdam), 1768 (1767).  This book
+went through many editions and was augmented by subsequent authors
+and editors.  Voltaire was already writing to d'Alembert about it
+August 14, 1767. [44:5]
+
+In a letter to Damilaville, October 16, he writes (Vol. XIV, p. 406):
+
+Depuis trois mois il y a une douzaine d'ouvrages d'une liberté
+extrême, imprimés en Hollande.  _La Théologie portative_ n'est
+nullement théologique: ce n'est qu'une plaisanterie continuelle
+par ordre alphabétique; mais il faut avouer qu'il y a des traits
+si comiques que plusieurs théologiens mêmes ne pourront s'empêcher
+d'en rire.  Les jeunes gens et les femmes lisent cette folie avec
+avidité.  Les éditions de tous les livres dans ce goût se multiplient.
+
+And on February 8, 1768, he wrote:
+
+On fait tous les jours des livres contre la religion, dont je voudrais
+bien imiter le style pour la défendre.  Y a-t-il de plus salé, que
+la plupart des traits qui se trouvent dans la _Théologie portative_?
+Y a-t-il rien de plus vigoreux, de plus profondément raisonné, d'écrit
+avec une éloquence plus audacieuse et plus terrible, que le _Militaire
+philosophe_, ouvrage qui court toute l'Europe? [by Naigeon and Holbach]
+Lisez la _Théologie portative_, et vous ne pourrez vous empêcher de rire,
+en condammant la coupable hardiesse de l'auteur.  Lisez _l'Imposture
+sacerdotale_--vous y verrez le style de Démosthène.  Ces livres
+malheuresement inondent l'Europe; mais quelle est la cause de cette
+inondation?  Il n'y en a point d'autre que les querelles théologiques
+qui ont révolté les laïques.  _Il s'est fait une révolution dans
+l'esprit humain que rien ne peut plus arrêter: les persécutions ne
+pourraient qu'irriter le mal_.  [Footnote: the italics are mine.]
+
+It is to be noted however that Voltaire's sentiments varied according
+to the point of view of the person to whom he was writing.  In a
+letter to d'Alembert, May 24, 1769 (Vol. LXV, p. 453), he calls the
+_Théologie portative_ "un ouvrage à mon gré, très plaisant, auquel
+je n'ai assurément nulle part, ouvrage que je serais très fâché
+d'avoir fait, et que je voudrais bien avoir été capable de faire."
+But in a letter to the Bishop of Annecy June, 1769, he writes
+(Vol. XXVIII, p. 73): "Vous lui [M. de Saint Florentin] imputez,
+à ce que je vois par vos lettres, des livres misérables, et jusqu'à
+_la Theologie portative_, ouvrage fait apparemment dans quelque
+cabaret; vous n'êtes pas obligé d'avoir du goût, mais vous êtes
+obligé d'être juste" (Vol. XXVIII, p. 73).  Diderot even said of
+the book: "C'est un assez bon nombre de bonnes plaisanteries noyées
+dans un beaucoup plus grand nombre de mauvaises" and this criticism
+is just.  A few examples of the better jokes will suffice:
+
+_Adam:_ C'est le premier homme, Dieu en fait un grand nigaud, qui
+pour complaire à sa femme eut la bêtise de mordre dans une pomme
+que ses descendans n'ont point encore pu digérer.
+
+_Idées Innées:_ Notions inspirées des Prêtres de si bonne heure,
+si souvent répétées, que devenu grand l'on croît les avoir eu
+toujours ou les avoir reçus dès le ventre de sa mère.
+
+_Jonas:_ La baleine fut à la fin obligée de le vomir tant un
+Prophète est un morceau difficile à digérer.
+
+_Magie:_ Il y en a de deux sortes, la blanche et la noire.  La
+première est très sainte et se pratique journellement dans
+l'église.
+
+_Protestants:_ Chrétiens amphibies.
+
+_Vierge:_ C'est la mère du fils de Dieu et belle-mère de l'église.
+
+_Visions:_ Lanternes magiques que de tout temps le Père Eternel
+s'est amusé à montrer aux Saintes et aux Prophètes.
+
+3. Holbach furnished the last chapter of Naigeon's book _Le Militaire
+philosophe, ou Difficulties sur la religion_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768.
+Voltaire ascribed the work to St. Hyacinthe.  Grimm recognized that the
+last chapter was by another hand and considered it the weakest part of
+the book.  It attempts to demonstrate that all supernatural religions
+have been harmful to society and that the only useful religion is
+natural religion or morals.  The book was refuted by Guidi, in a
+"_Lettre a M. le Chevalier de... [Barthe] entraîné dans l'irreligion
+par un libelle intitulé Le Militaire philosophe_ (1770, 12mo).
+
+4. Holbach's next book was _La Contagion sacrée ou l'Histoire
+naturelle de la Superstition_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1768.  In his
+preface Holbach attributed the alleged English original of this
+work to John Trenchard but that was only a ruse to avoid persecution.
+The book is by Holbach.  It has gone through many editions and been
+translated into English and Spanish.  The first edition had an
+introduction by Naigeon.  According to him manuscripts of this
+book became quite rare at one time and were supposed to have been
+lost.  Later they became more common and this edition was corrected
+by collation with six others.
+
+
+     [PG transcriber's note: at this point there appears to be a break
+     in the original text.  A sentence introducing the fifth book in
+     this list, "Letters to Eugenie", has evidently been lost.]
+
+
+The letters were written in 1764, according to Lequinio
+(_Feuilles posthumes_), who had his information from Naigeon, to
+Marguerite, Marchioness de Vermandois in answer to a very touching
+and pitiful letter from that lady who was in great trouble over
+religion.  Her young husband was a great friend of the Holbachs,
+but having had a strict Catholic bringing up she was shocked at
+their infidelity and warned by her confessor to keep away from them.
+"Yet in their home she saw all the domestic virtues exemplified and
+beheld that sweet and unchangeable affection for which the d'Holbachs
+were eminently distinguished among their acquaintances and which was
+remarkable for its striking contrast with the courtly and Christian
+habits of the day.  Her natural good sense and love for her friends
+struggled with her monastic education and reverence for the priests.
+The conflict rendered her miserable and she returned to her country
+seat to brood over it.  In this state of mind she at length wrote
+to the Baron and laid open her situation requesting him to comfort,
+console, and enlighten her." [47:7]  His letters accomplished the
+desired effect and he later published them in the hope that they
+would do as much for others.  They were carefully revised before
+they were sent to the press.  All the purely personal passages were
+omitted and others added to hide the identity of the persons concerned.
+Letters of the sort to religious ladies were common at this time.
+Fréret's were preventive, Holbach's curative, but appear to be rather
+strong dose for a _dévote_.  Other examples are Voltaire's _Epître à Uranie_
+and Diderot's _Entretien d'un Philosophe avec la Maréchale de..._.
+
+6. In 1769 Holbach published two short treatises on the doctrine
+of eternal punishment which claimed to be translations from English,
+but the originals are not to be found.  The titles are _De l'intolérance
+convaincue de crime et de folie_ as it is sometimes given, and--
+
+7. _L'Enfer détruit ou Examen raisonné du Dogme de l'Eternité des
+Peines_.  Londres, Amsterdam, 1769.  This letter was translated
+into English under the title _Hell Destroyed!_ "Now first translated
+from the French of d'Alembert without any mutilations," London 1823,
+which led Mr. J. Hibbert to say, "I know not why English publishers
+attribute this awfully sounding work to the cautious, not to say
+timid d'Alembert.  It was followed by Whitefoot's _'Torments of Hell,'_
+now first translated from the French." [47:8]
+
+
+Of Holbach's remaining works on religion two, _Histoire critique
+de Jésus Christ_ and _Tableau des Saints_, date from 1770 when he
+began to publish his more philosophical works.
+
+8. The _Histoire critique de Jésus Christ ou Analyse raisonnée des
+Evangiles_ was published without name of place or date.  It was
+preceded by Voltaire's _Epître à Uranie_.  It is an extremely careful
+but unsympathetic analysis of the Gospel accounts, emphasizing all
+the inconsistencies and interpreting them with a literalness that
+they can ill sustain.  From this rationalistic view-point Holbach
+found the Gospels a tissue of absurdities and contradictions.  His
+method, however, would not be followed by the critique of today.
+
+9. The _Tableau des Saints_ is a still more severe criticism of
+the heroes of Christendom.  Holbach's proposition is "La raison
+ne connaît qu'une mesure pour juger et les hommes et les choses,
+c'est l'utilité réelle et permanente, qui en résulte pour notre
+espèce," (p. 111).  Judged by this standard, the saints with their
+eyes fixed on another world have fallen far short.  "Ils se flattèrent
+de mériter le ciel en se rendant parfaitement inutile à la terre"
+(p. xviii).  Holbach much prefers the heroes of classical antiquity.
+The book is violent but learned throughout, and deals not only with
+the Jewish patriarchs from Moses on but with the church fathers and
+Christian Princes down to the contemporary defenders of the faith.
+After a rather one-sided account of the most dreary characters and
+events in Christian history, Holbach concludes: "Tel fut, tel est,
+et tel sera toujours l'esprit du Christianisme: il est aisé de sentir
+qu'il est incompatible avec les principes les plus évidens de la
+morale et de la saine politique" (p. 208).
+
+10. In _Recueil philosophique_, Londres (Amsterdam), 1770, edited
+by Naigeon.  Réflexions sur les craintes de la Mort.  Problème
+important--La Religion est-elle nécessaire à la morale et utile
+à la Politique.  Par M. Mirabaud.
+
+11. _Essai sur les préjugés, ou De l'influence des opinions sur
+les moeurs et sur le bonheur des Hommes_.  Londres (Amsterdam),
+1770, under name of Dumarsais.  The book pretended to be an
+elaboration of Dumarsais' essay on the _Philosophe_ published
+in the _Nouvelles libertés de penser, 1750.
+
+The special interest connected with it was the refutation Frederick
+the Great published under the title _Examen de l'Essai sur les
+préjugés_, Londres, Nourse, 1770 (16 mo).  The King of Prussia
+writing from the point of view of a practical, enlightened despot,
+took special exception to Holbach's remarks on government.  "Il
+l'outrage avec autant de grossièreté que d'indécence, il force le
+gouvernement de prendre fait et cause avec l'église pour s'opposer
+à l'ennemi commun.  Mais, quand avec un acharnement violent et les
+traits de la plus âcre satire, il calomnie son Roi et le gouvernement
+de son pays, on le prend pour un frénétique echappé de ses chaînes,
+et livré aux transports les plus violens de sa rage.  Quoi, Monsieur
+le philosophe, protecteur des moeurs et de la vertu, ignorez vous
+qu'un bon citoyen doit respecter la forme de gouvernement sous
+laquelle il vit, ignorez vous qu'il ne convient point à un particulier
+d'insulter les Puissances..." (p. 28).
+
+"Non content d'insulter à toutes les têtes couronnés de l'Europe,
+notre philosophe s'amuse, en passant, à répandre du ridicule sur
+les ouvrages de Hugo Grotius.  J'oserais croire qu'il n'en sera
+pas cru sur sa parole, et que le _Droit de la guerre et de la
+paix_ ira plus loin à la postérité que _l'Essai sur les
+préjugés_" (p. 39).
+
+Holbach in his anti-militaristic enthusiasm had used the words
+"bourreaux mercenaires"; "epithète élégante," continues Frederick,
+"dont il honore les guerriers.  Mais souffrions nous qu'un cerveau
+brûlé insulte au plus noble emploi de la Societé?" (p.49).  He goes
+on to defend war in good old-fashioned terms.  "Vous déclamez contre
+la guerre, elle est funeste en elle-même; mais c'est un mal comme
+ces autres fléaux du ciel qu'il faut supposer nécessaires dans
+l'arrangement de cet univers parce qu'ils arrivent périodiquement
+et qu'aucun siècle n'a pu jusqu'à présent d'en avoir été exempt.  J'ai
+prouvé que de tout temps l'erreur a dominé dans ce monde; et comme une
+chose aussi constante peut être envisagée comme une loi général de la
+nature, j'en conclus que ce qui a été toujours sera toujours le
+même" (p. 19).
+
+Frederick sent his little refutation to Voltaire for his compliments
+which were forthcoming.  A few days after Voltaire wrote to d'Alembert:
+
+Le roi de Prusse vous a envoyé, sans doute, son petit écrit contre
+un livre imprimé cette année, intitulé _Essai sur les préjugés_, ce
+roi a aussi les siens, qu'il faut lui pardonner; on n'est pas roi
+pour rien.  Mais je voudrais savoir quel est l'auteur de cet _Essai_
+contre lequel sa majesté prussienne s'amuse à écrire un peu durement.
+Serait-il de Diderot? serait-il de Damilaville? serait-il d'Helvetius?
+peut-être ne le connaissez-vous point, je le crois imprimé en Hollande
+(Vol. LXVI, p. 304).
+
+D'Alembert answered: 
+
+Oui, le roi de Prusse m'a envoyé son écrit contre _l'Essai sur les
+préjugés_.  Je ne suis point étonné que ce prince n'ait pas goûté
+l'ouvrage; je l'ai lu depuis cette réfutation et il m'a paru bien
+long, bien monotone et trop amer.  Il me semble que ce qu'il y de
+bon dans ce livre aurait pu et dû être noyé dans moins de pages et
+je vois que vous en avez porté à peu près le même jugement
+(Vol. LXVI, p. 324).
+
+In spite of these unfavorable judgments the _Essai_ was reprinted
+as late as 1886 by the Bibliotheque Nationale in its _Collection
+des meilleurs auteurs anciens et modernes_, still attributed to
+Dumarsais with the account of his life by "le citoyen Daube"
+which graced the edition of the year I. (1792)
+
+12. Early in 1770 appeared Holbach's most famous book, the
+_Système de la Nature_, the only book that is connected with his
+name in the minds of most historians and philosophers.  It seems
+wiser, however, to deal with this work in a chapter apart and
+continue the account of his later publications.
+
+13. The next of which was _Le bon-sens, ou idées naturelles opposées
+aux idées surnaturelles.  Par l'Auteur du Système de la Nature_,
+Londres (Amsterdam), 1772.  This work has gone through twenty-five
+editions or more and has been translated into English, German, Italian
+and Spanish.  As early as 1791 it began to be published under the name
+of the curé Jean Meslier d'Etrépigny, made so famous by Voltaire's
+publication of what was supposed to be his last will and testament
+in which on his death bed he abjured and cursed Christianity.  Some
+editions contain in the preface Letters by Voltaire and his sketch
+of Jean Meslier.  The last reprint was by De Laurence, Scott & Co.,
+Chicago, 1910.  The book is nothing more or less than the
+_Système de la Nature_, in a greatly reduced and more readable form.
+
+Voltaire, to whom it was attributed by some, said to d'Alembert,
+"Il y a plus que du bon sens dans ce livre, il est terrible.  S'il
+sort de la boutique du _Système de la Nature_, l'auteur s'est bien
+perfectionné."  D'Alembert answered: "Je pense comme vous sur le
+_Bon-sens_ qui me paraît un bien plus terrible livre que le
+_Système de la Nature_."  These remarks were inscribed by
+Thomas Jefferson on the title page of his copy of _Bon-sens_.
+The book has gone through several editions in the United States and
+was sold at a popular price.  The German translation was published
+in Baltimore on the basis of a copy found in a second-hand book
+store in New Orleans.  The most serious work written against it is
+a long and carefully written treatise against materialism by an
+Italian monk, Gardini, entitled _L'anima umana e sue proprietà dedotte
+da soli principi de ragione, dal P. lettore D. Antonmaria Gardini,
+monaco camaldalese, contro i materialisti e specialmente contro
+l'opera intitulata, le Bon-Sens, ou Idées Naturelles opposées aux idées
+Surnaturelles.  In Padova MDCCLXXXI Nella stamperia del Seminario.
+Appresso Giovanni Manfré, Con Licenza de Superiori e Privilegio_
+(8vo, p. xx + 284).
+
+14. In 1773 Holbach published his _Recherches sur les Miracles_,
+a much more sober work than his previous writings on religion.  In
+this book he raises the well known difficulties with belief in
+miracles and brings a great deal of real learning and logic to
+bear on the question.  The entire work is in a reasonable and
+philosophic spirit.  His conclusion is that "une vraie religion
+doit avoir au défaut de bonnes raisons, des preuves sensibles,
+capables de faire impression sur tout ceux qui la cherchent de
+bonne foi.  Ce ne sont pas les miracles."  The same year he
+published two serious but somewhat tiresome works on politics.
+
+15. _La politique naturelle_.
+
+16. _Système social_ in which he attempts to reduce government
+to the naturalistic principles which were the basis of his entire
+philosophy.  The first is also attributed to Malesherbes.  There
+is a long and keen criticism of the _Système Social_ by
+Mme. d'Epinay in a letter to Abbé Galiani Jan. 12, 1773
+(Gal. _Corresp._, Vol. II, p. 167).
+
+But the most interesting reaction upon it was that of the Abbé
+Richard who criticized it from point of view of the divine right
+of kings in his long and tiresome work entitled _La Défense de
+la religion, de la morale, de la vertu, de la politique et de
+la société, dans la réfutation des ouvrages qui ont pour titre,
+l'un Système Social etc.  Vautre La Politique Naturelle par le
+R. P. Ch. L. Richard, Professeur de Théologie_, etc., Paris,
+Moulard, 1775.
+
+In a preface of forty-seven pages the fears of the conservative
+old Abbé are well expressed.  The aim of these modern philosophers
+who are poisoning public opinion by their writings is to "démolir
+avec l'antique édifice de la religion chrétienne, celui des moeurs,
+de la vertu, de la saine politique etc. rompre tous les canaux de
+communication entre la terre et le ciel, bannir, exterminer du monde
+le Dieu qui le tira du néant, y introduire l'impiété la plus complète,
+la licence la plus consomnée, l'anarchie la plus entière, la confusion
+la plus horrible."
+
+17. Holbach's next work, _Ethocratie ou Gouvernement fondé
+sur la Morale_, Amsterdam, Rey, 1776, is interesting mainly for
+its unfortunate dedication and peroration, inscribed to Louis XVI,
+who was hailed therein as a long expected Messiah.
+
+18. Holbach's last works dealt exclusively with morals.  They
+are _La morale universelle ou les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur
+la nature_, Amsterdam, 1771, and
+
+19. A posthumous work, _Elements de la Morale universelle, ou
+catechisme de la nature_, Paris, 1790.  This is a beautiful
+little book.  It is simple and clear to the last degree.
+There have been several translations in Spanish for the purposes
+of elementary education in morals in the public schools.  It was
+composed in 1765.  Holbach's attitude towards morals is indicated
+by his _Avertissement_--"La morale est une science dont les principes
+sont susceptibles d'une démonstration aussi claire et aussi rigoureuse
+que ceux du calcul et de la géometrie."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.  THE SYSTÈME DE LA NATURE.
+
+
+Early in 1770 appeared the famous _Système de la Nature, ou Des Loix
+du Monde Physique et du Monde Morale, Par M. Mirabaud, Secrétaire
+Perpétuel et l'un des Quarante de l'Académie Française_, Londres
+(Amsterdam), 1770.  This work has gone through over thirty editions
+in France, Spain, Germany, England and the United States.  No book
+of a philosophic or scientific character has ever caused such a
+sensation at the time of its publication, excepting perhaps Darwin's
+_Origin of Species_, the thesis of which is more than hinted at by
+Holbach.  There were several editions in 1770.  A very few copies
+contain a _Discours préliminaire de l'Auteur_ of sixteen pages which
+Naigeon had printed separately in London.  The _Abrégé du Code de
+la Nature_, which ends the book was also published separately and
+is sometimes attributed to Diderot, 8vo, 16 pp. [54:1]
+
+There is also a book entitled _Le vrai sens du Système de la Nature_,
+1774, attributed to Helvetius, a very clear, concise epitome largely
+in Holbach's own short and telling sentences, and much more effective
+than the original because of its brevity.  Holbach himself reproduced
+the _Système de la Nature_ in a shortened form in _Bon-sens_, 1772, and
+Payrard plagiarized it freely in _De la Nature et de ses Lois_, Paris,
+1773.  The book has been attributed to Diderot, Helvetius, Robinet,
+Damilaville and others.  Naigeon is certain that it is entirely by
+Holbach, although it is generally held that Diderot had a hand in it.
+It was published under the name of Mirabaud to obviate persecution.
+The manuscript, it was alleged, had been found among his papers as a
+sort of "testament" or philosophical legacy to posterity.  This work
+may be called the bible of scientific materialism and dogmatic atheism.
+Nothing before or since has ever approached it in its open and
+unequivocal insistence on points of view commonly held, if at all,
+with reluctance and reserve.  It is impossible in a study of this
+length to deal fully with the attacks and refutations that were
+published immediately.  We may mention first the condemnation of the
+book by the _Parlement de Paris_, August 18, 1770, to be burned by
+the public hangman along with Voltaire's _Dieu et les Hommes_, and
+Holbach's _Discours sur les Miracles_, _La Contagion sacrée_ and
+_le Christianisme dévoilé_, which had already been condemned on
+September 24, 1769. [55:2]
+
+The _Réquisitoire_ of Seguier, _avocat général_, on the occasion
+of the condemnation of the _Système de la Nature_ was so weak
+and ridiculous that the _Parlement de Paris_ refused to sanction
+its publication, and it was printed by the express order of the King.
+As Grimm observed, it seemed designed solely to acquaint the ignorant
+with this dangerous work, without opposing any of its propositions.
+One would look in vain for a better example of the conservatism of
+the legal profession. [55:3]
+
+Le poison des nouveautés profanes ne peut corrompre la sainte
+gravité des moeurs qui caractérise les vrais Magistrats:
+tout peut changer autour d'eux, _ils restent immuables avec la
+loi_ (page 496).
+
+N'est-ce pas ce fatal abus de la liberté de penser, qui a enfanté
+cette multitude de sectes, d'opinions, de partis, et cet esprit
+d'indépendance dont d'autres nations ont éprouvé les sinstres
+révolutions.  Le même abus produira en France des effets peut-être
+plus funestes.  La liberté indéfinie trouveroit, dans la caractère
+de la nation, dans son activité, dans son amour pour la nouveauté,
+un moyen de plus pour préparer les plus affreuses révolutions (p. 498).
+
+The most interesting private attacks on the _Système de la Nature_
+came from two somewhat unexpected quarters, from Ferney and Sans Souci.
+Voltaire, as usual, was not wholly consistent in his opinions of it,
+as is revealed in his countless letters on the subject.  Grimm
+attributed his hostility to jealousy, and the fear that the
+_Système de la Nature_ might "renverse le rituel de Ferney et
+que le patriarcat ne s'en aille au diable avec lui." [56:4]
+George Leroy went so far as to write a book entitled _Réflexions
+sur la jalousie, pour servir de commentaire aux derniers ouvrages
+de M. de Voltaire_, 1772.  Frederick II naturally felt bound to
+defend the kings who, as Voltaire said, were no better treated than
+God in the _Système de la Nature_. [56:5]
+
+Voltaire's correspondence during this period is so interesting that
+it seems worth while to quote at length, especially from his letters
+to Fredrick the Great.  In May 1770, shortly after the publication
+of the _Système de la Nature_ Voltaire wrote to M. Vernes: [56:6]
+"On a tant dit de sottises sur la nature que je ne lis plus aucun
+de ces livres là."  But by July he had read it and wrote to Grimm: [56:7]
+"Si l'ouvrage eut été plus serré il aurait fait un effet terrible,
+mais tel qu'il est il en a fait beaucoup.  Il est bien plus éloquent
+que Spinoza... J'ai une grande curiosité de savoir ce qu'on en pense
+à Paris."  In writing to d'Alembert about this time he seemed to have
+a fairly favorable impression of the book.  "Il m'a paru qu'il y avait
+des longueurs, des répétitions et quelques inconséquences, mais il y a
+trop de bon pour qu'on n'éclate avec fureur contre ce livre.  Si on
+garde le silence, ce sera une preuve du prodigieux progrès que la
+tolérance fait tous les jours." [57:8]  But there was little likelihood
+that philosophers or theologians would keep silent about this scandalous
+book.  Before the end of the month Voltaire was writing to d'Alembert
+about his own and the king of Prussia's refutations of it, and the same
+day wrote to Frederick: "Il me semble que vos remarques doivent être
+imprimées; ce sont des leçons pour le genre humain.  Vous soutenez d'un
+bras la cause de Dieu et vous écrasez de l'autre la superstition." [57:9]
+Later Voltaire confessed to Frederick that he also had undertaken to
+rebuke the author of the Système de la Nature.  "Ainsi Dieu a pour
+lui les deux hommes les moins superstitieux de l'Europe, ce que devrait
+lui plaire beaucoup" (p. 390).
+
+Frederick, however, hesitated to make his refutation public, and
+wrote to Voltaire: "Lorsque j'eus achevé mon ouvrage contre
+l'athéisme, je crus ma réfutation très orthodoxe, je la relus,
+et je la trouvai bien éloignée de l'être.  Il y a des endroits
+qui ne saurait paraître sans effaroucher les timides et scandaliser
+les dévots.  Un petit mot qui m'est échappé sur l'éternité du monde
+me ferait lapider dans votre patrie, si j'y étais né particulier,
+et que je l'eusse fait imprimer.  Je sens que je n'ai point du
+tout ni l'âme ni le style théologique." [57:10]  Voltaire, in his
+"petite drôlerie en faveur de la Divinité" (as he called his work)
+and in his letters, could not find terms harsh enough in which to
+condemn the _Système de la Nature_.  He called it "un chaos, un
+grand mal moral, un ouvrage de ténèbres, un péché contre la nature,
+un système de la folie et de l'ignorance," and wrote to Delisle de
+Sales: "Je ne vois pas que rien ait plus avili notre siècle que
+cette énorme sottise." [58:11]  Voltaire seemed to grow more bitter
+about Holbach's book as time went on.  His letters and various works
+abound in references to it, and it is difficult to determine his
+motives.  He was accused, as has been suggested, by Holbach's circle
+"de caresser les gens en place, et d'abandonner ceux qui n'y sont
+plus." [58:12]  M. Avenel believed that he suspected Holbach himself
+of making these accusations.  Voltaire's letter to the Duc de Richelieu,
+Nov. 1, 1770, [58:13] seems to give them foundation.
+
+A very different reaction was that of Goethe and his university
+circle at Strasburg to whom the _Système de la Nature_ appeared
+a harmless and uninteresting book, "grau," "cimmerisch," "totenhaft,"
+"die echte Quintessenz der Greisenheit."  To these fervent young men
+in the youthful flush of romanticism, its sad, atheistic twilight
+seemed to cast a veil over the beauty of the earth and rob the heaven
+of stars; and they lightheardedly discredited both Holbach and Voltaire
+in favor of Shakespeare and the English romantic school.  One would
+look far for a better instance of the romantic reaction which set in
+so soon and so obscured the clarity of the issues at stake in the
+eighteenth century thought. [58:14]
+
+The leading refutations directed explicitly against the
+_Système de la Nature_ are:
+
+1. 1770, Rive, Abbé J. J., Lettres philosophiques contre le
+_ Système de la Nature_. (Portefeuille hebdomadaire de Bruxelles.)
+
+2. Frederick II, _Examen critique du livre intitulé,
+_Système de la Nature_. (Political Miscellanies, p. 175.)
+
+3. Voltaire, Dieu, Réponse de M. de Voltaire au _Système de la Nature_.
+Au château de Ferney, 1770, 8 vo, pp. 34.
+
+4. 1771, Bergier, Abbé N. F., Examen du matérialisme, ou
+Réfutation du _Système de la Nature_.  Paris, Humbolt, 1771,
+2 vols., 12mo.
+
+5. Camuset, Abbé J. N., Principes contre l'incrédulité, a
+l'occasion du _Système de la Nature_.  Paris, Pillot, 1771,
+12mo, pp. viii + 335.
+
+6. Castillon, J. de (Salvernini di Castiglione), Observations sur
+le livre intitulé, _Système de la Nature_.  Berlin, Decker, 1771,
+8vo. (40 sols broché.)
+
+7. Rochford, Dubois de, Pensées diverses contre le système des
+matérialistes, à l'occasion d'un écrit intitulé; _Système de la
+Nature_.  Paris, Lambert, 1771, 12mo.
+
+8. 1773, L'Impie démasqué, ou remontrance aux écrivains incrédules.
+Londres, Heydinger, 1773
+
+9. Holland, J. H., Réflexions philosophiques sur le _Système de
+la Nature_. Paris, 1773, 2 vols., 8vo.
+
+10. 1776, Buzonnière, Nouel de, Observations sur un ouvrage intitulé
+le _Système de la Nature_.  Paris, Debure, père, 1776, 8vo, pp. 126.
+(Prix 1 livre, 16 sols broché.)
+
+11. 1780, Fangouse, Abbé, La religion prouvée aux incrédules, avec
+une lettre à l'auteur du _Système de la Nature_ par un homme du monde.
+Paris, Debure l'aîné, 12mo, p. 150.  Same under title Réflexions
+importantes sur la religion, etc., 1785.
+
+12. 1788, Paulian, A. J., Le véritable système de la nature, etc.,
+Avignon, Niel, 2 vols., 12mo.
+
+13. 1803, Mangold, F. X. von, Unumstossliche Widerlegung des
+Materialismus gegen den Verfasser des _Systems der Natur_.
+Augsburg, 1803.
+
+
+Of these and other refutations of materialism such as Saint-Martin's
+_Des erreurs et de la vérité_, Dupont de Nemours' _Philosophie de
+l'univers_, Delisles de Sales'  _Philosophie de la nature_, etc.,
+which are not directed explicitly against the _Système de la Nature_,
+the works of Voltaire and Frederick the Great are the most interesting
+but by no means the most serious or convincing.  Morley finds Voltaire
+very weak and much beside the point, especially in his discussion of
+order and disorder in nature which Holbach had denied.  Voltaire's
+argument is that there must be an intelligent motor or cause behind
+nature (p. 7).  This is God (p. 8).  He admits at the outset that all
+systems are mere dreams but he continues to insist with a dogmatism
+equal to Holbach's on the validity of his dream.  He repeatedly asserts
+without foundation that Holbach's system is based on the false experiment
+of Needham (pp. 5, 6), and even goes so far as to ridicule the
+evolutionary hypothesis altogether (p. 6).  He speaks of the necessity
+of a belief in God, by a kind of natural logic.  God and matter exist
+in the nature of things, "Tout nous announce un Être suprême, rien ne
+nous dit ce qu'il est."  God himself seems to be a kind of fatalistic
+necessity.  "C'est ce que vous appellerez Nature et c'est ce que j'appelle
+Dieu."  At the end he shifts the argument from the base of necessity to
+that of utility.  Which is the more consoling doctrine?  If the idea of
+God has prevented ten crimes I hold that the entire world should embrace
+it (p. 27).  As Morley has said, such arguments could scarcely have
+convinced Voltaire himself.
+
+Frederick was surprised that Voltaire and D'Alembert had found anything
+good in the book.  His refutation was more methodical than that of
+Voltaire, who called it a "homage to the Divinity" but wrote to D'Alembert
+that it was written in the style of a notary.  Two other refutations
+emanating from the Academy of Berlin were those of Castillon and Holland.
+The first of these is a very heavy and learned work, formidable and
+forbidding in its logic.  Castillon reduces Holbach's propositions to
+three.  The self-existence of matter, the essential relation of movement
+to it, and the possibility of deriving everything from it or some mode of
+it.  Castillon concludes after five hundred pages of reasoning that matter
+is contingent, movement not inherent in it, and that purely spiritual beings
+exist in independence of it.  Hence the _Système de la Nature_ is a "long
+and wicked error."  Holland's is a still more serious work, which the
+Sorbonne recommended strongly as an antidote against Holbach's _Système_
+which it qualified as "une malheureuse production que notre siècle doit
+rougir d'avoir enfantée."  But when it was discovered that Holland was a
+Protestant his work was condemned forthwith, Jan. 17, 1773.
+
+Bergier's refutation is interesting as an attack from a churchman of
+extraordinary keenness and insight into the progress of the new
+philosophy.  In the _Système de la Nature_ he recognized the hand
+of the author of _La Contagion sacrée_ and the _Essai sur les préjugés_
+and dealt with it as he did the _Christianisme dévoilé_.  Buzonniere,
+Rochfort and Fangouse are milder and more naive in their demonstrations
+and their works are of no weight or interest.  _L'Impie démasqué_ is a
+brutal work which qualifies Holbach as a "vile apostle of vice and crime,"
+and the _Système de la Nature_ as the most impudent treatise on atheism
+that has yet dishonored the globe--one which covers the century with
+shame and will be the scandal of future generations.
+
+The work of Paulian is of a different sort.  Coming comparatively late,
+it attempted to review the hostile opinions of many years and then mass
+them in an overwhelming final attack on the _Système de la Nature_.  To
+this end Paulian rewrites the entire book chapter by chapter, giving the
+"true version."  He then reviews Holland's outline and Bergier's comments,
+together with seven articles directed explicitly against the _Système de
+la Nature_ in such works as the _Lettres Helviennes_, of Abbé Barruel,
+_Dict. des Philosophes_, _Dict. anti-philosophe_, his own _Dict.
+théologique_, etc., besides many other writings against the new philosophy
+in general.  He then reviews articles by members of the philosophic
+school against materialism and then goes back to Holbach's sources,
+Diderot, Bayle, Spinoza, Lucretius, Epicurus, etc.  The work is not
+scholarly but comprehensive and evidently discouraged further formal
+refutations.
+
+The _Système de la Nature_ had many critics in the stormy days that
+followed 1789.  Delisle de Sales found it a monstrosity--a _fratras_;
+La Harpe called it an infamous book, "un amas de bêtises qu'on ose
+appeler philosophie, inconcevables inepties, un immense échafaudage
+de mensonge et d'invective"; M. Villemain is much more calm and fair;
+Lord Brougham, like Damiron, Buzonnière, and many others, found it
+seductive but full of false reasoning; Lerminier was so severe that
+St.-Beuve was moved to defend Holbach against him.  Samuel Wilkinson,
+the English translator of 1820, is one of the few whose criticism is
+at all favorable.  Holbach has always appealed to a certain type of
+radical mind and his translators and editors have generally been men
+who were often over-enthusiastic.  For example, Mr. Wilkinson says of
+the _Système de la Nature_, [64:15] "No work, ancient or modern, has
+surpassed it in the eloquence and sublimity of its language or in the
+facility with which it treats the most abstruse and difficult subjects.
+It is without exception the boldest effort the human mind has yet
+produced in the investigation of Morals and Theology.  The republic
+of letters has never produced another author whose pen was so well
+calculated to emancipate mankind from all those trammels with which
+the nurse, the school master, and the priest have successively locked
+up their noblest faculties, before they were capable of reasoning and
+judging for themselves."
+
+It seems unnecessary to analyze the _Système de la Nature_.  This
+has been done by Damiron, Soury, Fabre, Lange, Morley, the historians
+of philosophy, and encyclopaedists; and the book itself is easily
+available in the larger libraries.  The substance of Holbach's philosophy
+is susceptible of clearer treatment apart from it or any one of his
+books, although it permeates all of them.
+
+M. Jules Soury has said, in describing a certain type of mind: "Il
+est d'heureux esprits, des âmes fortes et saines, que n'effraie point
+le silence éternel des espaces infinis où s'anéantissait la raison de
+Pascal.  Naïves et robustes natures, mâles et vigoureux penseurs, qui
+gardent toute la vie quelque chose des dons charmants de la jeunesse et
+de l'enfance même, une foi vive dans le témoinage immédiat de nos sens
+et de notre conscience, une humeur alerte, toute de joyeuse ardeur, et
+comme une intrépidité d'esprit que rien n'arrête.  Pour eux tout est
+clair et uni; ou à peu près, et là où ils soupçonnent quelque bas-bond
+insondable, ils se détournent et poursuivent fièrement leur chemin.  Comme
+cet Epicurien dont parle Cicéron au commencement du _De natura deorum_,
+ils ont toujours l'air de sortir de l'assemblée des dieux et de descendre
+des intermondes d'Epicure."
+
+Such was Holbach.  His philosophy is based on the child-like assumption
+that things are as they seem, provided they are observed with sufficient
+care by a sufficient number of people.  This brings us at once to the
+very heart of Holbach's method which was experimental and inductive to
+the last degree.  Holbach was nourished on what might be called
+scientific rather than philosophical traditions.  As M. Tourneux has
+pointed out, he had been a serious student of the natural sciences,
+especially those connected with the constitution of the earth.  These
+studies led him to see the disparity between certain accepted and
+traditional cosmologies and a scientific interpretation of the
+terrestrial globe and the forms of life which flourish upon it.
+Finding the supposed sacred and infallible records untrustworthy in
+one regard, he began to question their veracity at other points.
+Being of a critical frame of mind, he took the records rather more
+literally than a sympathetic, allegorical apologist would have done,
+although it cannot be said that he used much historical insight.
+After having studied the sacred texts for purposes of writing or having
+translated other men's studies on Moses, David, the Prophets, Jesus,
+Paul, the Christian theologians and saints, miracles, etc., he concluded
+that these accounts were untrustworthy and mendacious.  He knew ancient
+and modern philosophy and found in the greater part of it an unwarranted
+romantic or theological trend which his scientific training had caused
+him to suspect.  It must be admitted that however false or illogical
+Holbach's conclusions may be considered, he was by no means ignorant of
+the subjects he chose to treat, as some of his detractors would have one
+believe.  His theory of knowledge was that of Locke and Condillac, and
+on this foundation he built up his system of scientific naturalism
+and dogmatic atheism.
+
+His initial assumption is, as has been suggested, that experience
+(application réitérée des sens) and reason are trustworthy guides
+to knowledge.  By them we become conscious of an external objective
+world, of which sentient beings themselves are a part, from which
+they receive impressions through their sense organs.  These myriad
+impressions when compared and reflected upon form reasoned knowledge
+or truth, provided they are substantiated by repeated experiences
+carefully made.  That is, an idea is said to be true when it conforms
+perfectly with the actual external object.  This is possible unless
+one's senses are defective, or one's judgment vitiated by emotion
+and passion.
+
+Holbach's contention is that if one applies experience and reason
+to the external universe, or nature, "ce vaste assemblage de tout
+ce qui existe"; it reveals a _single objective reality_, i. e.,
+_matter_, which is in itself essentially active or in a state of motion.
+
+From matter in motion are derived all the phenomena that strike our
+senses.  All is matter or a function of it.  Matter, then, is not
+an effect, but a cause.  It is not caused; it is from eternity and
+of necessity.  The cardinal point in Holbach's philosophy is an
+inexorable materialistic necessity.  Nothing, then, is exempt from
+the laws of physics and chemistry.  Inorganic substance and organic
+life fall into the same category.  Man himself with all his differentiated
+faculties is but a function of matter and motion in extraordinary
+complex and involved relations.  Man's imputation to himself of free
+will and unending consciousness apart from his machine is an idle tale
+built on his desires, not on his experiences nor his knowledge of nature.
+This imputation of a will or soul to nature, independent of it or in
+any sense above it, is a still more idle one derived from his renunciation
+of the witness of his senses and his following after the phantoms of
+his imagination.  It is ignorance or disregard of nature then that has
+given rise to supernatural ideas that have "no correspondence with true
+sight," or, as Holbach expressed it, have no counterpart in the external
+object.  In other words, theology, or poetry about God, as Petrarch
+said, is ignorance of natural causes reduced to a system.
+
+Man is a purely natural or physical being, like a tree or a stone.
+His so-called spiritual nature (l'homme moral) is merely a phase
+of his physical nature considered under a special aspect.  He is
+all matter in motion, and when that ceases to function in a particular
+way, called life, he ceases to be as a conscious entity.  He is so
+organized, however that his chief desires are to survive and render
+his existence happy.  By happiness Holbach means the presence of
+pleasure and the absence of pain.  In all his activity, then, man
+will seek pleasure and avoid pain.  The chief cause of man's misery
+or lack of well being is his ignorance of the powers and possibilities
+of his own nature and the Universal Nature.  All he needs is to
+ascertain his place in nature and adjust himself to it.  From the
+beginning of his career he has been the dupe of false ideas, especially
+those connected with supernatural powers, on whom he supposed he was
+dependent.  But, if ignorance of nature gave birth to the Gods,
+knowledge of nature is calculated to destroy them and the evils
+resulting from them, the introduction of theistic ideas into politics
+and morals.  In a word, the truth, that is, _correct ideas of nature_
+is the one thing needful to the happiness and well-being of man.
+
+The application of these principles to the given situation in France
+in 1770 would obviously have produced unwelcome results.  Holbach's
+theory was that religion was worse than useless in that it had
+inculcated false and pernicious ideas in politics and morals.  He
+would do away completely with it in the interest of putting these
+sciences on a natural basis.  This basis is self-interest, or man's
+inevitable inclination toward survival and the highest degree of
+well-being, "L'objet de la morale est de faire connaître aux hommes
+que leur plus grand intérêt exige qu'ils pratiquent la vertu; le but
+du gouvernement doit être de la leur faire pratiquer."
+
+Government then assumes the functions of moral restraint
+formally delegated to religion; and punishments render virtue
+attractive and vice repugnant.  Holbach's theory of social
+organization is practically that of Aristotle.  Men combine in order
+to increase the store of individual well-being, to live the good
+life.  If those to whom society has delegated sovereignty abuse
+their power, society has the right to take it from them.  Sovereignty
+is merely an agent for the diffusion of truth and the maintenance
+of virtue, which are the prerequisites of social and individual
+well-being.  The technique of progress is enlightenment and good laws.
+
+Nothing could be clearer or simpler than Holbach's system.  As
+Diderot so truly said, he will not be quoted on both sides of any
+question.  His uncompromising atheism is the very heart and core
+of his system and clarifies the whole situation.  All supernatural
+ideas are to be abandoned.  Experience and reason are once for all
+made supreme, and henceforth refuse to share their throne or abdicate
+in favor of faith.  Holbach's aim was as he said to bring man back to
+nature and render reason dear to him.  "Il est tempts que cette raison
+injustement dégradée quitte un ton pusillamine qui la rendront complice
+du mensonge et du délire."
+
+If reason is to rule, the usurper, religion, must be ejected; hence
+atheism was fundamental to his entire system.  He did not suppose
+by any means that it would become a popular faith, because it
+presupposed too much learning and reflection, but it seemed to him
+the necessary weapon of a reforming party at that time.  He defines
+an atheist as follows: "C'est un homme, qui détruit des chimères
+nuisibles au genre humain, pour ramener les hommes à la nature, à
+l'expérience, à la raison.  C'est un penseur qui, ayant médité la
+matière, ses propriétés et ses façons d'agir, n'a pas besoin, pour
+expliquer les phénomènes de l'univers et les opérations de la nature,
+d'imaginer des puissances idéales, des intelligences imaginaires, des
+êtres de raison; qui loin de faire mieux connaître cette nature, ne
+font que la rendre capricieuse, inexplicable, et méconnaissable,
+inutile au bonheur des hommes."
+
+
+
+
+APPENDIX
+
+HOLBACH'S CORRESPONDENCE
+
+
+The following letters of Holbach are extant:
+
+Holbach to Hume, Aug. 23, 1763.
+Holbach to Hume, Mar. 16, 1766.
+Holbach to Hume, July 7, 1766.
+Holbach to Hume, Aug. 18, 1766.
+Holbach to Hume, Sept. 7, 1766.
+
+These were printed in Hume's _Private Correspondence_, London, 1820,
+pp. 252-263, and deal largely with Hume's quarrel with Rousseau.
+
+Holbach to Garrick, June 16, 1765.
+Holbach to Garrick, Feb. 9, 1766.
+
+These two letters are in manuscript in Lansdowne House,
+Coll. Forster, and were published by F. A. Hedgcock,
+_David Garrick et ses amis français_. Paris, 1911, pp. 251-253.
+
+Holbach to Wilkes, Aug., 1746, 9 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30867, p. 14).
+Holbach to Wilkes, Dec. 10, 1746 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30867, p. 18).
+Holbach to Wilkes, May 22, 1766 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 39)
+Holbach to Wilkes, Nov. 9, 1766 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 81).
+Holbach to Wilkes, Dec. 10, 1767 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 173).
+Holbach to Wilkes, July 17, 1768 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30870, p. 59).
+Holbach to Wilkes, Mar. 19, 1770 (Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30871, p. 16).
+Holbach to Wilkes, April 27, 1775, 9 (Wilkes, _Correspondence_,
+ London, 1804, Vol. IV, p. 176).
+
+The first seven of these letters are published for the first time
+in the present volume, pp. 6-11 and pp. 75-80.
+
+Holbach to Galiani, Aug. 11, 1769 (_Critica_, Vol. I, pp. 488 sq.).
+
+Galiani to Holbach, April 7, 1770 (Galiani, _Correspondence_, Paris,
+1890, Vol. I, p. 92).
+
+Galiani to Holbach, July 21, 1770 (Galiani, _Correspondence_, Paris,
+1890, Vol. I, p. 199).
+
+Holbach to Galiani, Aug. 25, 1770 (_Critica_, Vol. I, p. 489).
+
+
+There are references to other letters in _Critica_ which I have not
+been able to find.
+
+Holbach to Beccaria, Mar. 15, 1767, published by M. Landry
+_Beccaria, Scritte e lettre inediti_, 1910, p. 146.
+
+Holbach to Malesherbes, April 6, 1761 (hitherto unpublished). See
+present volume, p. 30.
+
+
+HOLBACH TO HUME
+(Hume, Private Correspondence, London, 1820, pp. 252-263)
+PARIS, the 23rd. of August, 1763
+
+_Sir,_--
+I have received with the deepest sense of gratitude your very kind
+and obliging letter of the 8th. inst: favors of great men ought to
+give pride to those that have at least the merit of setting the value
+that is due upon them.  This is my case with you, sir; the reading
+of your valuable works has not only inspired me with the strongest
+admiration for your genius and amiable parts, but gave me the highest
+idea of your person and the strongest desire of getting acquainted
+with one of the greatest philosophers of my age, and of the best friend
+to mankind.  These sentiments have emboldened me to send formally,
+though unknown to you, the work you are mentioning to me.  I thought
+you were the best to judge of such a performance, and I took only
+the liberty of giving a hint of my desires, in case it should meet
+with your approbation, nor was I surprized, or presumed to be
+displeased, at seeing my wishes disappointed.  The reasons appeared
+very obvious to me; not withstanding the British liberty, I conceived
+there were limits even to it.  However, my late friend's book has
+appeared since and there is even an edition of it lately done in
+England: I believe it will be relished by the friends of truth,
+who like to see vulgar errors struck at the root.  This has been
+your continued task, sir; and you deserve for it the praises of all
+sincere wellwishers of humanity: give me leave to rank myself among
+them, and express to you, by this opportunity you have been so kind
+as to give me, the fervent desire we have to see you in this country.
+Messrs. Stuart, Dempster, Fordyce, who are so good as to favor me
+with their company, have given me some hopes of seeing you in this
+metropolis, where you have so many admirers as readers, and as many
+sincere friends as there are disciples of philosophy.  I don't doubt
+but my good friend M. Helvétius will join in our wishes, and prevail
+upon you to come over.  I assure you, sir, you won't perceive much
+the change of the country, for all countries are alike for people that
+have the same minds.
+
+I am, with the greatest veneration and esteem, sir, your most
+obedient and most humble servant.
+	D'HOLBACH.
+	Rue Royale, butte St. Roch, à Paris.
+
+
+HOLBACH To GARRICK
+(Coll. Forster, Vol. XXI; pub., Hedgcock, p. 253)
+PARIS, Feb ye 9th, 1766.
+
+I received, my very Dear Sir, with a great deal of pleasure, your
+agreeable letter of ye 24th of January, but was very sorry to hear
+that you are inlisted in the numerous troup of _gouty_ people.  Tho'
+I have myself the honour of being of that tribe I dont desire my
+friends should enter into the same corporation.  I am particularly
+griev'd to see you among the invalids for you have, more than any
+other, occasion for the free use of your limbs.  However, don't be
+cross and peevish for that would be only increasing you distemper;
+and I charge you especially of not scolding that admirable lady
+Mrs Garrick, whose sweetness of temper and care must be a great
+comfort in your circumstances.  I beg leave to present her with my
+respects and ye compliments of my wife, that has enjoyed but an
+indifferent state of health, owing to the severity of the winter.
+Mr and Made Helvetius desire you both their best wishes and so do
+all your friends, for whom I can answer that every one of them
+keeps a kind remembrance of your valuable persons.  Dr. Gem thinks
+you'll do very well to go to Bath, but his opinion is that a thin
+diet would be more serviceable to you than anything else; believe
+he is in the right.  Abbé Morellet pays many thanks for the answers
+to his queries, but complains of their shortness and laconism;
+however it is not your fault.  He is glad to hear you have receiv'd
+his translation of Beccaria's book, _Des délits et des peines_ and
+the compliments of our friend Dr Gatti to whom I gave your direction
+before he went to London.  Our friend Suard has entered his neck into
+the matrimonial halter; we are all of us very sorry for it for we know
+that nothing combin'd with love, will at last make nothing at all.
+
+I was not much surpris'd at the particulars you are pleas'd to mention
+about Rousseau.  According to the thorough knowledge I have had of
+him I look on that man as a mere philosophical quack, full of
+affectation, of pride, of oddities and even villainies; the work he
+is going to publish justifies the last imputation.  Is his memory so
+short as to forget that Mr Grimm, for those 9 years past, has taken
+care of the mother of his wench or _gouvernante_ whom he left to starve
+here after having debauch'd her daughter and having got her 3 or 4
+times with child.  That great philosopher should remember that
+Mr. Grimm has in his hands letters under his own hand-writing that
+prove him the most ungrateful dogg in the world.  During his last
+stay in Paris he made some attempts to see Mr Diderot, and being
+refused that favor, he pretended that Diderot endeavoured to see
+him, but that himself had refused peremptorily to comply with his
+request.  I hope these particulars will suffice to let you know what
+you are to think of that illustrious man.  I send you here a copy of
+a letter supposed to come from the King of Prussia, but done by
+Mr Horace Walpole, whereby you'll see that gentleman has found out
+his true character.  But enough of that rascal who deserves not to be
+in Mr Hume's company but rather among the bears, if there are any in
+the mountains of Wales.
+
+I am surprized you have not receiv'd yet the _Encyclopédie_, for a
+great number of copies have been sent over already to England unless
+you have left your subscription here, where hitherto not one copy has
+been delivered for prudent reasons.
+
+We have had in the French Comedy a new play called _Le Philosophie sans
+le savoir_ done and acted in a new stile, quite natural and moving: it
+has a prodigious success and deserves it extremely well.  Marmontel
+will give us very soon upon the Italian stage his comical opera of
+_La Bergère des Alpes_.  I hope it will prove very agreeable to the
+Publick, having been very much delighted by the rehearsal of it; the
+music was done by Mr Cohaut who teaches my wife to play on the luth.
+We expect a tragedy of the Dutch Barnvelt.
+
+Mr Wilkes is still in this town, where he intends to stay until you
+give him leave to return to his native country.  We have had the
+pleasure of seeing Mr Chanquion, your friend, who seems to be a very
+discerning gentleman and to whom in favor of your friendship I have
+shown all the politeness I could.  I hear that Sr James Macdonald has
+been ill at Parma, but is now recovered and in Rome.  Abbé Galliani is
+still at Naples and stands a fair chance of being employ'd in the
+ministry there.
+
+Adieu, very dear Sir and remember your affectionate friend
+	D'HOLBACH
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+(Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 39)
+PARIS the 22d Of May (1766)
+
+_My dear Sir_
+
+I am extremely glad to know your lucky passage and happy arrival
+in your native country.  I hope you know too well the sincere
+dispositions of my heart as to doubt of the friendship I have
+vowed to you for life; it has been of too long a duration to be
+shaken by any circumstances, and especially by those that do honor
+to you.  I shall be very happy if your affairs (that seem to be in
+a fair way) permit you to drop over very soon to spend some time
+in this place along with Miss Wilkes to whom Made D'Holbach and I
+pay our best compliments.  I can easily paint to my imagination
+the pleasure you both felt at your first meeting; everybody that
+has any sensibility must be acquainted with the grateful pangs in
+those moving circumstances.
+
+Your case with the hawker at your entry in London is very odd and
+whimsical you did extremely well to humour the man in his opinion
+about Mr. Wilkes.  I dare say if you had done otherwise his fist
+would have convinc'd you of the goodness of your cause, and then it
+would have been impossible for you to pass for a dead man any longer;
+which however, I think was very necessary for you in the beginning.
+I expect with great eagerness the settlement of your affairs with
+the ministry to your own satisfaction; be persuaded, Dear Sir, that
+nobody interests himself in your happiness than myself, and nothing
+will conduce more to it than your steady attachment to the principles
+of honor and patriotism.
+
+If you don't find a way of disposing of the little packet, you need
+not take much trouble about it, and you may bring it back along with
+you, when you come to this place, as to the kind offers you are so
+good as to make me about commissions, experience has taught me that
+it is unsafe to trust you with them, so I beg leave with gratitude
+to decline your proposals as that point.
+
+All our common friends and acquaintances desire their best
+compliments to you, and believe me, my dear Sir.
+
+	Your affectionate oblig'd humble servant
+	D'HOLBACH
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+(Brit. Mus. Mss., VOL 30869, p. 81)
+PARIS 9ber 10th 1766
+
+_My very Dear Sir_
+
+I receiv'd with the greatest pleasure the news of your lucky arrival
+in Engelland.  You know the sentiments of my heart, and are undoubtedly
+convinc'd how much I wish for the good success of all your enterprises
+tho I am to be a great looser by it.  I rejoice very heartily at the
+fine prospect you have now in view and don't doubt but the persons you
+mention will succeed if they are in good earnest: which is allways a
+little doubtful in people of that Kidney.
+
+We have had the pleasure of seeing Miss Wilkes three or four times since
+your departure, she is extreamly well and longs for the return of her
+friend Mlle Helvetius the 20th of this month.
+
+Rousseau will very likely hate the English very cordially for making
+him pay so dear for his books, it is however a sign that he told us a
+lye when he pretended in his writings to have no books at all, as to
+his guitar he should buy a new one to tune his heart a little better
+than he did before.
+
+We have no news here, except the Election of Mr Thomas as a member of
+the french academy.  Marquis Beccaria is going to leave us very soon
+being obliged to return to Milan: Count Veri will at the same time set
+out for England.
+
+I'll be oblig'd to you for a copy or two of the book printed in holland
+you mentioned in your letter you may send it by some private opportunity
+to Miss Wilkes, with, proper directions.  A gentleman of our Society
+should be glad to get 2 copies of Baskervilles' virgil _in octavo_.
+
+Tho Mr Davenport and Rousseau seem to be pleased very much with one
+another, I suppose they may very soon be tired of their squabbling,
+and the latter like the apostles will shake of against the barbarous
+Britons the dust of his feet.
+
+Receive the hearty compliments of my wife and all our friends.  You
+know the true sentiments of my heart for you,
+Dear Sir.  I am with great sincerity
+	your most obedient humble Servant
+	D'HOLBACH
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+(Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30869, p. 173)
+
+_Dear Sir_
+
+I receiv'd with a great deal of pleasure your friendly letter from
+Ostende of the 26th. nov. I was extreamly glad to hear your happy
+arrival at that place, and do not doubt but you met with a lucky
+passage to Dover the following day, we are now enjoying the conversation
+of your British friends about elections; that will not be tedious for
+you if, according to your hopes, you should succeed in your projects.
+
+I see by your letter that instead of coming back directly by Calais
+you intend to travel with Miss Wilkes through Antwerp and the Low
+countries, which I should think not very advisable in this rigorous
+season of the year, for generally at that time the waters are lock'd
+up by the frost and travelling is bad et tedious and may be would
+prove hurtful to your tender fellow traveler to whom my wife and I
+desire our best compliments.  Such a scheme will be more advantagious
+for you both and more conformable to the wishes of your friends in
+this place.
+
+I hope your arrival in London will contribute to reconcile abbé
+Galliani to that place, where he complains of having not heard of
+the sun since he set his foot on British shore, however he may
+comfort himself for we have had very little of it in this country.
+The Abbé must be overjoy'd at the news of the Jesuits being expell'd
+from his Native country for now he may say _Gens inimica mihi 
+Tyrrhenum navigat aquor_.  We have no material news in this country,
+except that the queen continues to be in a very bad state of health.
+
+If there is some good new romance I'll be oblig'd to bring it over
+along with you as, well as a couple of french books call'd
+_Militaire philosophe_ and _Théologie portative_ in case you may
+easily find them in London, for we cannot get them here.  I am told
+the works of one Morgan have been esteem'd in your country but I don't
+know the titles of them, if you should know them and meet with them
+with facility, I should be very much oblig'd to you provided you make
+me pay a little more than you have done hitherto for your commissions.
+
+All our common friends beg their compliments and I wish for your
+speedy return, and I am Sincerely
+Dear Sir
+	Your faithful affectionate humble servant
+	D'HOLBACH
+PARIS the 10th of decemb. 1767
+
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+(Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30870, p. 59)
+GRANDVAL, 17th of July 1768
+
+_Dear Sir_
+
+I receiv'd with a great deal of pleasure your very agreeable letter
+of the 28th of last month.  I am extreamly glad that your generous
+soul is very far from sinking under the weight of these Misfortunes,
+and to see that you don't give up the hopes of carrying triumphantly
+your point notwithstanding the discouragements you have met with lately.
+I need not tell you how much your friends in Paris and I in particular
+interest ourselves in all the events that may befall you.  Our old
+friendship ought to be a sure pledge of my sincere sentiments for you,
+and of my best wishes for your good success in all your undertakings.
+I believe you can do no better but to keep strictly to the rules you
+have laid down for your conduct, and I don't doubt but you'll find it
+will answer the best to your purpose.
+
+I am very much oblig'd to you, Dear Sir, for the kind offers you make
+in your friendly letter.  I have desir'd already Mr Suard to bring over
+a few books lately published in your metropolis.  I am very glad to hear
+that Gentleman is pleas'd with his journey.
+
+There's no possibility of getting for you a compleat sett of Callots
+engravings.  Such a collection must be the business of many years; it
+is to be found only after the decease of some curious men who have taken
+a great deal of trouble to collect them.  I found indeed in two shops 8
+or 10 of them, but the proofs (les épreuves) were very indifferent and
+they wanted to sell them excessively dear; in general 200 guineas would
+procure a collection very far from being compleat.
+
+My wife and all our common acquaintence desire their best compliments
+to you and to Miss Wilkes and you know the sentiments wherewith I am
+for ever
+Dear Sir
+	your affectionate friend and
+	very humble servant
+	D'HOLBACH
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+(Brit. Mus. Mss., Vol. 30871, p. 16)
+PARIS the 19th of March 1770
+
+_Dear Sir_
+
+I receiv'd with a due sense of gratitude the favour of your last
+letter, and was overjoy'd to hear from yourself that your long
+confinement has not been able hitherto to obstruct the lively flow
+of your spirits.  A little more patience and you'll reach the end
+of all your misfortunes, that have been faithfully partaken by your
+friends in England and abroad, for my own part I wish most sincerely
+that everything for the future may turn to your profit and welfare,
+without hurting that of your country, to whom, as a lover of mankind,
+I am a well wisher.
+
+My wife desires her best compliments to you and your beloved Daughter,
+whom we both expect to see again with a great deal of pleasure in
+this country next month.  Notwithstanding our bad circumstances we
+are making very great preparations for the Wedding of the Dauphin,
+and our metropolis begins already to be filled with foreigners that
+flock hither from all parts of the world.  Our friend Mr D'Alainville
+is to set out at the end of April to fetch the Archdutchess at
+Strasbourg and bring mask (ed) (?) her different stages on the road
+to Versailles.
+
+We have no news in the literary world except that Voltaire
+is become lately _le père temporal_, that is to say the benefactor
+of the _Capucins du pays de Gex_ where he lives, a title of which
+all his pranks seemd to exclude him, but grace you know, is omnipotent,
+and monks are not over nice when there is something to be got by
+their condescension.
+
+If the hurry of affairs whould leave you any moments to read
+curious books I would advise you to peruse two very strange
+works lately publish'd viz _Recherches philosophiques sur les
+américains_, le _Système de la Nature_ par Mirabaud.  I suppose
+you'll find them cheaper and more easily in London that at
+Paris.
+
+All your late acquaintances in this Town desire me to present
+you with their sincere compliments and best wishes; as to mine
+you know that they have no other object but your Welfare.
+
+I am, Dear Sir, for ever
+	your most affectionate friend
+	and humble servant
+	D'HOLBACH
+
+P. S. I'll be very much oblig'd to you for sending over to me in
+2 vol. small octavo.
+
+
+
+HOLBACH TO WILKES
+(Wilkes, Correspondence, London, 1805, Vol. 4, p. 176)
+PARIS, April 27; 1775
+
+"_My Lord_,
+
+"I received with the utmost gratitude your lordship's friendly
+letter of the 28th of March. (1775?)  I should have done
+myself the honor of answering sooner to your kind propositions,
+if I had not been prevented by some gouty infirmities that have
+assailed in the beginning of this spring.  I esteem myself very
+happy to find that the hurry of business, and your exhaltation
+to the rank of chief-magistrate, could not make you forget your
+friendship to me; though my present circumstances do not permit
+me to make use of your friendly invitation, be persuaded my very
+dear lord that Madame D'Holbach and myself shall forever keep
+these signs of your kindness, in very grateful remembrance.
+
+We both desire our best compliments to your very amiable
+lady-mayoress: who acted so well her part lately in the Egyptian
+hall, to the satisfaction of that prodigious crowd you have
+been entertaining there.  All members of our society that have
+had the happiness of being acquainted with you, desire to be
+kindly remembered; and a continuation of your valuable friendship
+shall for ever be the utmost ambition
+	my lord
+	of your most sincerely devoted
+	D'HOLBACH"
+
+
+
+GALIANI To HOLBACH
+(Galiani, Corresp., Vol. I, p. 199)
+NAPLES, le 21 juillet, 1770
+
+_Bonjour, mon cher Baron,_
+
+J'ai vu le _Système de la Nature_.  C'est la ligne où finit la
+tristesse de la morne et sèche vérité, au-delà commence la gaieté
+du roman.  Il n'y a rien de mieux que de se persuader que les dés
+sont pipés: cette idée en enfante milles autres, et un nouveau
+monde se régénère.  Le M. Mirabaud est un vrai abbé Terray
+de la métaphysique.  Il fait des réductions, des suspensions,
+et cause la banqueroute du savoir, du plaisir et de l'esprit
+humain.  Mais vous allez me dire qu'aussi il y avait trop de
+nonvaleurs: on était trop endetté, il courait trop de papiers non
+réels sur la place.  C'est vrai aussi, et voilà pourquoi la crise
+est arrivée.
+
+Adieu, mon cher baron.  Ecrivez-moi de longues lettres, pour que
+le plaisir en soit plus grand.  Embrassez moi longuement la
+baronne, et soyez longue dans tout que vous faites, dans tout
+ce que vous patientez, dans tout ce que vous espérer.  La
+longanimité est une belle vertu; c'est elle qui me fait espérer
+de revoir Paris.
+	Adieu.
+
+
+
+HOLBACH To GALIANI 
+(Critica, Vol. I, 1903, p. 489)
+
+GRANDVAL, le 25 d'août 1770
+
+_Bonjour, mon très délicieux abbé,_
+
+J'ai bien reçu votre très-précieuse lettre du 21 de juillet qui
+m'accuse la réception de celle que je vous avais écrite le 3 de
+juin.  Je vois que celle-ci a été longtemps en route, attendu
+que M. Torcia à qui M. Diderot s'était chargé de la remettre, a
+encore traînassé quelque temps à Paris, suivant la louable
+coutume des voyageurs qui nous quittent toujours avec peine.
+
+Je suis bien aise que vous ayez lu le livre de Mirabaud qui fait
+un bruit affreux dans ce pays.  L'abbé Bergier l'a déjà
+réfuté très-longuement et sa réponse paraîtra cet hiver.  La
+Sorbonne est, dit-on, occupée à détruire ce maudit _Système_ qui
+lui paraît au moins hérétique.  Voltaire lui-même se prépare
+à le pulvériser; en attendant nos seigneurs du Parlement y
+viennent d'y répondre par des fagots, ainsi qu'à quelque autres
+ouvrages de même trempe.  Ce qu'il y a de fâcheux c'est que
+l'ouvrage de V. qui a pour titre _Dieu et les hommes_ a été
+enveloppé dans la même condamnation, ce qui doit déplaire
+souverainement à l'auteur.  Je me rappelle à cette occasion ce
+que M. Hume dit d'un catholique que Henri VIII fit conduire au
+bûcher avec quelques hérétiques, et dont le seul chagrin était
+d'être brûlé en si mauvaise compagnie.  Nonobstant toutes ces
+réfutations, il parait tous les jours quelques nouveaux ouvrages
+impies, au point que je suis très surpris que la récolte ait été
+si bonne dans le royaume.  En dernier lieu on vient de publier un
+ouvrage sous le titre de _Droit des souverains sur les biens du
+clergé_, qui, sans contenir des impiétés n'en est pas moins déplaisant
+pour cela: Il va droit à la cuisine, et veut que pour liquider
+la dette nationale on vende tous les biens ecclésiastiques et
+que l'on met nos pontifes à la pension.  Vous sentez qu'une
+proposition si mal sonnante n'a pu manquer de mettre le ciel en
+courroux; sa colère s'est déchargé sur cinq ou six libraires et
+colporteurs qui ont été mis en prison.
+
+
+
+
+[ENDNOTES]
+
+
+[1:1] Diderot, _Oeuvres_, ed. Assézat et Tourneaux, Vol. XX, p. 28.
+
+[2:2] Grimm, _Corr. Lit._, Vol. XV, p. 421.
+
+[3:3] Diderot, _Oeuvres_, Vol. XX, p. 95.
+
+[3:4] Among the most important are Damiron J. P., _Mémoires pour
+servir à l'histoire de la philosophie au dix-huitième siècle_ (Paris,
+1858, 3 vols., 8vo); Lange, _Geschichte des Materialismus_ (Eng. tr.,
+Boston, 1877); Morley, _Diderot and the Encyclopedists_ (N. Y., 1891,
+2 vols., 12mo); Plekhanow, G., _Beiträge zur Geschichte des Materialismus_
+(Stuttgart, 1896) ; Hancock, A. E., _The French Revolution and the
+English Poets_ (N. Y., 1899); Tallentyre, _The Friends of Voltaire_
+(London, 1906); Fabre, _Les Pères de la Révolution_ (Paris, 1910), etc.
+
+[5:5] Confessions, _Oeuvres_, Vol. XXIV, p. 338.
+
+[5:6] Bib. Nat. mss. _Pièces originales,_ 1529, d'Holbach, 34, 861.
+
+[6:7] Carlyle, Rev. Dr. A., _Autobiography_, ed. Burton, Boston, 1861, 
+p. 137 sq. for Holbach's English friends mentioned in his letters to
+Wilkes.
+
+[12:9] See Chap. II and Bibliography, Pt. I, for these and his other works.
+
+[12:10] Grimm _Cor. Lit._, Vol. II, p. 283.
+
+[12:11] _Gazette de France_, Aug. 10, 1754.
+
+[12:12] Jal, _Dict. Critique_, p. 685.
+
+[13:13] His career is somewhat doubtful.  He travelled in Italy in 1779
+and Abbé Galiani, an old friend of Holbach's, got a very agreeable
+impression of him.  John Wilkes, in a letter to his daughter in 1781,
+seems to imply that he had not turned out very well, and hopes that the
+baron's second son will make good the deficiencies of the first.  In
+1806 he published a translation of Weiland's _Oberon_ or _Huon de
+Bordeaux_ which went thru another edition in 1825, but those are the
+only details that have come to light.
+
+[13:14] Diderot, in writing to Mlle Volland Sep. 17, 1760 says: "On
+nourrit, à Chenvières, les deux filles de Madame d'Holbach.  L'aînée
+est belle comme un chérubin; c'est un visage rond, de grands yeux
+bleus, des levres fines, une bouche riante, la peau la plus blanche
+et la plus animée, des cheveux châtains qui ceignent un très joli
+front.  La cadette est un peloton d'embonpoint où l'on ne distingue
+encore que du blanc et du vermillon."
+
+[13:15] Gazette de France, June 1, 1781.
+
+[14:16] Holbach's intendant was [a] Jew, Berlise.  After his death several
+of his old servants Vincent, David, and Plocque, contested Holbach's will,
+in which they thought they were legatees.  The case was in the courts
+for several years and was finally decided against them.  Douarche,
+_Les tribunaux civil de Paris pendant la révolution_, Paris, 1905, Vol. I.,
+pp. 141, 261, 325, 689.
+
+[14:17] Avézac-Lavigne, _Diderot_, p. 5.
+
+[15:18] _Critica_, Vol. I, p. 48, note.
+
+[15:19] He met Voltaire in Paris in 1778, however, and Naigeon relates
+that Voltaire greeted him very cordially and said that he had long
+desired to make his acquaintance.
+
+[15:20] Collignon, _Diderot_, p. 1.
+
+[16:21] Avézac-Lavigne, _Diderot_, p. 75, note.
+
+[16:22] Romilly, _Memoirs_, Vol. I, p. 179.
+
+[16:23] Diderot, _Oeuvres_, Vol. I, p. lxvi, note.
+
+[17:24] Journal de Paris, Dec. 2, 1789.
+
+[17:25] See appendix, p. 73, p. 77.
+
+[18:26] See appendix, p. 71.
+
+[19:27] See appendix, p. 72.
+
+[19:28] See p. 6 sq. and appendix pp. 75 sq.
+
+[39:2] Barbier, _Dict._, Vol. I, p. 175 sq.
+
+[40:3] Barbier, Vol. I, p. xxxiii, note.
+
+[40:4] _Oeuvres_, Vol. XVIII, p. 265.
+
+[44:5] _Oeuvres_, Vol. XIV, p. 352.
+
+[47:7] Middleton's translation, preface.
+
+[47:8] Cf. p. 94. [Bibliography Part I]
+
+[54:1] Morley, _Diderot_, Vol. II, p. 155.
+
+[55:2] Later _Bon-sens_ and _Théologie portative_ were doomed to the
+flames by the condemnations of Jan. 10, 1774, and February 16, 1776.
+
+[55:3] _Système de la Nature_, ed. 1771, Vol. II, p. 496.
+
+[56:4] Grimm, _Cor. Lit._, Vol. IX, p. 167.
+
+[56:5] Voltaire, _Oeuvres_, ed. Beuchot, Vol. LXVI, p. 404.  Subsequent
+references to Voltaire are from this edition.
+
+[56:6] Vol. LXVII, p. 265.
+
+[56:7] Grimm, _Cor. Lit._, Vol. IX, p. 90.
+
+[57:8] Vol. LXVI, p. 432.
+
+[57:9] Vol. LXVI, p. 563.
+
+[57:10] Vol. LXVI, p. 386.
+
+[58:11] Vol. LXVI, p. 394.
+
+[58:12] Vol. XXVIII, p. 493.
+
+[58:13] Vol. LXVI, p. 469.
+
+[58:14] Goethe, _Wahrheit und Dichtung_, 11th Book, Goethe's _Werke_,
+Stuttgart, Vol. 19, p. 55.
+
+Auf philosophische Weise erleuchtet und gefödert zu werden, hatten
+wir keinen Trieb noch Hang: über religiöse Gegenstände glaubten wir
+uns selbst aufgeklärt zu haben, und so war der heftige Streit
+französischer Philosophen mit dem Pfafftum uns ziemlich gleichgültig.
+Verbotene, zurn Feuer verdaminte Bücher, welche damals grossen Lärmen
+machten, übten keine Wirkung auf uns.  Ich gedenke statt aller des
+_Système de la Nature_, das wir aus Neugier in die Hand nahmen.  Wir
+begriffen nicht, wie ein solches Buch gefährlich sein könnte.  Es kam
+uns so grau, so cimmerisch, so totenhaft vor, das wir Mühe hatten,
+seine Gegenwart auszuhalten, dass wir davor wie vor einern Gespenste
+schauderten.  Der Verfasser glaubt sein Buch ganz eigens zu empfehlen,
+wenn er in der Vorrede versichert, dass er, als ein abgelebter Greis,
+soeben in die Grube stiegend, der Mit- und Nachwelt die Wahrheit verkünden
+wolle.  Wir lachten ihn aus: denn wir glaubten bemerkt zu haben, dass
+von alten Leuten eigentlich an der Welt nichts geschätzt werde, was
+liebenswürdig und gut an ihr ist.  "Alte Kirchen haben dunkle Gläser"
+"Wie Kirschen und Beeren schmecken, muss mann Kinder und Sperlinge
+fragen"--dies waren unsere Lust und Leibworte: und so schien uns jenes
+Buch, als die rechte Quintessenz der Greisenheit, unschmachhaft, ja
+abgeschmackt Alles sollte notwendig sein und deswegen kein Gott.
+"Könnte es denn aber nicht auch notwendig einen Gott geben?" fragten
+wir.  Dabei gestanden wir freilich, das wir uns den Notwendigkeiten der
+Tage und Nächte, der Jahrszeiten, der klirnatischen Einflusse, der
+physichen und animalischen Zustände nicht wohl entziehen könnten: doch
+fühlten wir etwas in uns, das als vollkommene Willkür erschien, und
+wieder etwas, das sich mit dieser Willkür ins Gleichgewicht zu setzen
+suchte.  Die Hoffnung, immer vernünftiger zu werden, uns von den aussern
+Dingen, ja von uns selbst immer unabhängiger zu machen, konnten wir
+nicht aufgeben.  Das Wort Freiheit klingt so schon, dass mann es nicht
+entbehren könnte und wenn es einen Irrtum bezeichnete.
+
+Keiner von uns hatte das Buch hinausgelesen; denn wir fanden uns in
+der Erwartung getäuscht, in der wir es auf geschlagen hatten.
+_System der Natur_ ward angekündigt und wir hofften also wirklich
+etwas von der Natur, unsere Abgötten, zu erfahren.  Physik und Chemie,
+Himmels- und Erdbeschriebung, Naturgeschichte und Anatomie und so
+manches andere hatte nun zeit Jahren und bis auf den letzten Tag uns
+immer auf die geschmüchte grosse Welt hingeweisen, und wir hatten gern
+von Sonnen und Sternen, von Planeten und Monden, von Bergen, Thälern,
+Flüssen und Meeren und von allem, was dann lebt und webt, das Nähere
+sowie das Allgemeinere erfahren.  Das hierbei wohl manches vorkommen
+müsste, was dem gemeinen Menschen als schädlich, der Geistlichkeit als
+gefährlich, dem Staat als unzulässig erschienen möchte, daran hatten wir
+keinen Zweifel, und wir hofften, dieses Büchlein sollte nicht unwürdig
+die Feuerprobe bestauden haben.  Allein wie hohl und leer ward uns in
+deiser tristen Atheistischen Halbnacht zu Mute, in welcher die Erde mit
+allen ihren Gebilden, der Himmel mit allen seinen Gestirnen verschwand!
+Eine Materie sollte sein von Ewigkeit und von Ewigkeit her bewegt, und
+sollte nun mit dieser Bewegung rechts und links und nach allen Seiten
+ohne weiteres die unendlichen Phänomene des Daseins hervorbringen.
+Dies alles wären wir sogar zufrieden gewesen, wenn der Verfasser
+wirklich aus seiner bewegten Materie die Welt vor unsern Augen
+aufgebaut hätte.  Aber er mochte von der Natur so wenig wissen als wir;
+denn indem er einige allgemeine Begriffe hingepfahlt, verlässt er sie
+sogleich, um dasjenige, was höher als die Natur oder als höhere
+Natur in der Natur erschient, zur materiellen schweren, zwar bewegten,
+aber doch richtungs- und gestaltlosen Natur zu verwandeln, und glaubt
+dadurch recht viel gewonnen zu haben.  Wenn uns jedoch dieses Buch
+einigen Schaden gebracht hat, so war es der, das wir allen
+Philosophie, besonderers aber der Metaphysick recht herzlich gram
+wurden, und bleiben, dagegen aber auf lebendige Wissen, Erfahren,
+Thun und Dichten uns nur desto lebhafter und leidenschaftlicher hinwarfen.
+
+[64:15] Vol. II, p. 261, ed. 1820.
+
+
+
+
+BIBLIOGRAPHY--PART I.
+
+EDITIONS OF HOLBACH'S WORKS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
+
+
+As the works of Holbach are not yet cataloged in the Bibliothèque
+Nationale, the following list is doubtless incomplete.  The numbers
+given are those of the Bibliothèque Nationale and the British Museum
+where the books were used, except in cases where they were available
+in Boston, New York or Washington.
+
+
+ABBREVIATIONS
+
+B. N., Bibliothèque Nationale.
+B. M., British Museum.
+L. C., Library of Congress.
+C. U., Columbia University.
+H. U., Harvard University.
+U. T. S., Union Theological Seminary.
+G. T. S., General Theological Seminary.
+A. T. S., Andover Theological Seminary.
+N. Y., New York Public Library.
+B. P., Boston Public Library.
+
+Of about 120 editions consulted, C. U. had 13; U. T. S. 7; N. Y. 7;
+H. U. 6; B. P. 5; L. C. 4; A. T. S. 3; G. T. S. I.  There are 20 or more
+editions in existence that were not to be found in the library catalogs
+consulted.
+
+1752.  Lettre à une dame d'un certain âge sur l'état présent de l'Opéra.
+En Arcadie aux dépens de l'Académie Royale de Musique, (Paris, 8vo, pp. 11.)
+B. M. 1103 b 21 (2).
+
+1752.  Arrêt rendu à l'amphithéâtre de l'Opéra, sur la plainte du
+milieu du parterre intervenant dans la querelle des deux coins.
+(Paris, 1752, 8vo, pp. 16.)
+B. N. Yf 7726 (attributed to Diderot).
+
+1752.  Art de la Verrerie, De Neri, Merret et Kunckel; auquel on a
+ajouté Le _Sol Sine Veste_ D'Orschall; _L'Helioscopium videndi sine
+veste solem Chymicum_; Le _Sol Non Sine Veste_: Le Chapitre XI du
+_Flora Saturnizans_ de Henckel, Sur la Vitrification des Végétaux;
+Un Mémoire sur la manière de faire le Saffre; Le Secret des vraies
+Porcelaines de la Chine et de Saxe; Ouvrages où l'on trouvera la
+manière de faire le Verre et le Crystal, d'y porter des Couleurs,
+d'imiter les Pierres Précieuses, de préparer et colorer les Emaux,
+de faire la Potasse, de peindre sur le Verre, de préparer des Vernis,
+de composer de Couvertes pour des Fayances et Poteries, d'extraire la
+Couleur Pourpre de l'Or, de contrefaire les Rubis, de faire le Soffre,
+de faire et peindre les Porcelaines, etc.  Traduits de l'Allemand Par
+M. D... A Paris Durand, rue St. Jacques, au Griffon.  Pissot, Quai des
+Augustins, à la Sagesse.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi (in quarto).
+	B. N. V. 11028.
+	C. U. A. n H 35 (Avery Library).
+
+1753.  Minéralogie, ou description générale des substances du règne
+minéral.  Par Mr. Jean Gotshalk Wallerius, Professeur Royale de
+Chymie, de Métallurgie et de Pharmacie dans l'Université d'Upsal,
+de l'Académie Impériale des Curieux de la Nature.  Ouvrage traduit
+de l'Allemand, A Paris, Chez Durand, rue S. Jacques, au Griffon.
+Pissot, Quai de Conti, à la Croix d'Or, MDCCLII.  Avec Approbation
+et Privilège du Roi (2 vols., 8vo, pp. xlvii + 569 + 284).  Followed
+by (second title page) Hydrologie, ou description du règne aquatique,
+divisés par classes, gendres, espèces et variétés, avec la manière de
+faire l'essai des eaux (256 p.).
+	B. N., S. 1992 (2).
+	B. M. 987 h. 9-10.
+
+--Ibid.  (Paris, Herissant, Durand, 1759, 2 vols., 8vo.) N. Y., P. W. D.
+	H. U. Geol. 7257-59.
+	B. M. 970 h.l.
+
+1756.  Introduction à la Minéralogie; ou connoissance des eaux, des
+sucs terrestres, des sels, des terres, des pierres, des minéraux, et
+des métaux: avec une description abrégée des opérations de métallurgie.
+Ouvrage posthume de M. J. F. Henckel, publié sous le titre de _Henckelius
+in Mineralogiâ redivivus_ et traduit de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Guillaume
+Cavelier, Libraire, rue S. Jacques, au Lys d'Or.  MDCCLVI.  Avec Approbation
+et Privilège du Roi.  (2 vols., 12vo, pp. lxxi + 204 + 371.)
+	B. N. 19930 (1).
+
+1758.  Chimie métallurgique, Dans laquelle on trouvera la Théorie et
+la Pratique de cet Art.  Avec des Experiences sur la Densité
+des Alliages des Métaux, et des demi-Métaux; et un Abrégé de
+Docimastique.  Avec Figures.  Par M. C. E. Gellert, Conseiller
+des Mines de Saxe et de l'Académie Imperiale de Petersbourg.
+Ouvrages traduits de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Briasson, rue
+Saint Jacques; Avec Approbation et Privelège.  (2 vols., 12mo,
+pp. xii + 296 + xvii + 351.)
+	B. N., R. 37032 (3).
+
+1759.  Traités de physique, d'histoire naturelle, de minéralogie et de
+métallurgie.  (Paris, 1759, 3 vols., 12mo.)  (General title.)
+	Tome I.  L'Art des Mines, ou Introduction aux connoissances
+nécessaires pour l'exploitation des mines métalliques avec un traité
+des exhalaisons minérales ou moufettes, et plusieurs mémoires sur
+differens sujets d'Histoire Naturelle-Avec figures.  Par
+M. Jean Gotlob Lehmann, Docteur en Médecine, Conseiller des
+Mines de Sa Majesté Prussienne, de l'Académie Royale des
+Sciences de Berlin et de celle des Sciences utiles de Mayence.
+Traduit de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez Jean Thomas Herrisant
+MDCCLIX.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi. 
+	Tome II.  Traité de la formation des métaux et de leurs
+matrices ou minières, ouvrage fondé sur les principes de la
+physique et de la minéralogie et confirmé par des expériences
+chymiques.  Par M. J. G. Lehmann, etc.  Traduit de l'Allemand.
+	Tome III.  Essai d'une Histoire Naturelle des couches de la
+terre.  Dans lequel on traite de leur formation, de leur situation,
+des minéraux, des métaux et des fossiles qu'elles contiennent.
+Avec des considerations physiques sur les causes des Tremblements
+de Terre et de leur propagation.  Ouvrages traduits de l'Allemand,
+et augmentés de Notes du Traducteur etc.
+	H. U., M, Z.
+	B. M. 990 c. 16-18.
+
+1759.  Les plaisirs de l'imagination, poème en trois chants, par
+M. Akenside.  Traduit de l'anglais.  A Amsterdam, Arkstée et Merkus,
+et se trouve à Paris chez Pissot, Quai de Conti MDCCLIX (8vo).
+	B. N. 2 ex. Yk 2362 et 2498.
+	B. M. 1162 f 20.
+
+--Ibid.  Les plaisirs de l'imagination, poème en trois chants, Par
+Akenside, traduit de l'Anglais par le baron d'Holbach, augmenté de
+Notes historiques et littéraires, de la vie de l'auteur et du Traducteur,
+par Pissot.  Paris, Hubert MDCCCVI (1806-18vo).
+	B. N. Yk 2363.
+	B. M. 1065 b 20 (2).
+
+1760.  Pyritologie, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Pyrite, ouvrage dans
+lequel on examine l'origine, la nature, les propriétés et les usages
+de ce Minéral important, et de la plupart des autres Substances du même
+Règne: on y a joint le Flora Saturnisans où L'Auteur dèmontre l'Alliance
+qui se trouve entre les Végétaux et les Minéraux; et les Orpuscules
+Minéralogiques, Qui comprennent un Traité de l'Appropriation, un Traité
+de L'Origine des Pierres, plusieurs Mémoires sur la Chymie et l'Histoire
+Naturelle, avec un Traité des Maladies des Mineurs et des Fondeurs.
+Par M. Jean-Frederic Henkel, Docteur en Médicine, Conseiller des Mines
+du Roi de Pologne, Electeur de Saxe; de l'Académie Imperiale des Curieux
+de la Nature et de celle de Berlin.  Ouvrages Traduit de l'Allemand [by
+Baron d'Holbach and M., Charas] à Paris, Chez jean Thomas Hérissant,
+Libraire, Rue S. Jacques, à S. Paul et à S. Hilaire. MDCCLX.  Avec
+Approbation et Privilège du Roi.  (Paris, 1760, quarto, pp. xvi + 524.)
+	B. N. 5324.
+	B. M. 34 c 15.
+
+1760.  Oeuvres Métallurgiques de M. Jean-Christian Orschall, Inspecteur
+des Mines de S. A. S. le Land-grave de Hesse-Cassel.  Contenant
+I. L'Art de la Fonderie; II. Un Traité de la Siquation;
+III.  Le Traité de la Macération des Mines; IV. Le Traité
+des Trois Merveilles; (Traduit de l'Allemand) Le prix est de 50
+sols broché et de 3 liv. relié. A Paris, Chez Hardy, Libraire, rue
+S. Jacques au dessus de celle de la Parcheminerie à la Colonne
+d'Or.  MDCCLX.  Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi.
+(12mo, pp. + 394.)
+	B. N., S 19,992.
+
+1764.  Recueil des mémoires les plus intéressants de chymie, et d'histoire
+naturelle, contenus dans les actes de l'Académie d'Upsal, et dans les
+Mémoires de l'Académie Royale des Sciences de Stockholm; Publiés depuis
+1720 jusqu'en 1760.  Traduits du Latin et de l'Allemand.  A Paris, Chez
+Pierre-Fr. Didot, le jeune, Quai des Augustins, à S. Augustin.  MDCCLXIV.
+Avec Approbation et Privilège du Roi. (2 vols., 12mo, pp. viii + 687.)
+	B. N. R 15483 (4).
+
+1765.  Histoire du règne de la Reine Anne d'Angleterre, contenant Les
+Négociations de la paix d'Utrecht, et les démêlés qu'elle occasionna
+en Angleterre.  Ouvrage posthume du Docteur Jonathan Swift.  Doyen de
+S. Patrice en Irelande: Publié sur un Manuscrit corrigé de la propre
+main de l'Auteur, et traduit de l'Anglais par M... [d'Holbach and Eidous].
+A Amsterdam, Chez Marc-Michel Rey, et Arkstée et Merkus. MDCCLXV.
+(12mo, pp. xxiv + 416.)
+	B. N. 8vo Nc 1718.
+
+1766.  Traité du Soufre, ou Remarques sur la dispute qui s'est élevée
+entre les chymistes, au sujet du Soufre, tant commun, combustible
+ou volatil, que fixe, etc.  Traduit de l'Allemand de Stahl.
+A Paris, Chez Pierre-Francois Didot, le jeune.  Quai de
+Augustins à Saint-Augustin.  MDCCLXVI.  Avec Approbation
+et Privilège du Roi.  (12mo, pp. 392.)
+	B. N., R 51709.
+	B. M. 233 b 15.
+
+1766.  L'Antiquité dévoilée par ses usages, ou Examen critique des
+principales Opinions, Cérémonies et Institutions réligieuses et
+politiques des différens Peuples de la Terre.  Par feu M., Boulanger.
+Homo, quod rationis est particeps, consequentiam cernit causas rerum
+videt, earumque progressus et quasi antecessiones non ignorat,
+similitudines compare, rebus praesentibus adjungit at anectit futuras.
+--Cicero, De Offic. Lib. I. C. 4.
+A Amsterdam, Chez Marc-Michel Rey, MDCCLXVI. (Quarto pp. viii + 412.)
+	B. N., E 690.
+	C. U., A P. B 66 (Avery Library).
+
+--Ibid.  (1766, 3 vols., 12mo.)
+	B. N. *E 2446-2448. 
+
+--Ibid.  (1772, 3 Vols., (12mo.)
+	B. N. *E 2445 (VIII).
+	B. M. 4506 a 1.
+
+--Ibid.  (Amsterdam, 1777, 3 vols., 12mo, pp. lx + 355 + 391 + 396.)
+	B. M. 696 b 35.
+
+--Ibid.  In Oeuvres de Boulanger T. I-IV En Suisse.
+De l'Imprimerie Philosophique MDCCXCI. (4 vols., (12mo.)
+	B. N., Z 24316-24319.
+
+--Ibid.  In _Oeuvres de Boulanger_ T. I-II Amsterdam.
+(Paris, 2 vols., 8vo.) (Quérard.)
+
+1767.  Le Christianisme dévoilé, ou Examen des principes et des effets
+de la religion Chrétienne.  Par feu M. Boulanger.  Superstitio error
+infanus est, amandos timet, quos colit violat; quid enim interest,
+utrum Deos neges, an infames?  Senec. Ep. 12.
+A Londres, MDCCLVI (Nancy, Leclerc, 1761, 8vo, pp. xxviii + 295).
+	B. N., D2 5305.
+	B. M. 4016 bb 6.
+	B. M., C 2863 (another copy with MS. notes by Voltaire).
+
+--Ibid.  (Londres, 1767, 8vo, pp. xx + 236.)  Printed at John Wilkes'
+private press in George St. Westminster, according to MS. note in
+title page.
+	B. M. 4017 de. 13.
+
+--Ibid.  (Londres, 1767, 8vo, pp. 244.)
+	A. T. S. 6 11.
+
+--Ibid.  (A Paris, Chez les Libraires Associés, 1767, 8vo,
+pp. xvii + 218.)
+	B. N., D2 8364.
+
+--Ibid.  (Londres [Amsterdam], 1767, 12mo.)
+	B. M. 696 b 34
+
+--Ibid.  Oeuvres de Boulanger T. VII.  (En Suisse de l'Imprimerie
+philosophique, 1791, 12mo.)
+	B. N., Z 23421.
+
+--Ibid.  Oeuvres de Boulanger T. V, 1793.
+
+--Christianity Unveiled; being an examination of the principles and
+effects of the Christian Religion, from the French of Boulanger,
+Author of _Researches into the Origin of Oriental Despotism_, by
+W. M. Johnson. New York, 1795, printed at the Columbian Press by
+Robertson and Gowan for the editor and sold by the principal book
+sellers in the United States. (12mo, pp. ix + 238.)
+	B. M. 4017 de 4.
+	B. M. 900 i. 1, (7) another copy with MS. Notes.
+	B. P.... 7490 a 22.
+
+--Ibid.  London, printed and published by R. Carlile, 55 Fleet St.
+1819 (8vo, pp. 98.)
+	B. M. 4016 d. 13.
+
+--Ibid.  The Deist, etc. Vol. II, published by R. Carlile, 1819.
+(8vo, pp. vii + 125.)
+	B. M. 4015 f 11.
+
+--El Cristianismo a descurbierto, ó examen de los principios y efectos
+de la religion cristiana.  Escrito en Francés por Boulanger y traducido
+al castellano por S. D. V.... Londres en la emprenta de Davidson, 1821.
+(12mo, pp. xxvi + 246.)
+	B. M. 4016 df 6.
+
+1767.  L'Esprit du clergé, ou Le Christianisme primitif vengé des
+entreprises et des excès de nos Prêtres modernes.  Traduit de
+l'Anglois à Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVII (2 vols. 8vo,
+pp. 2 + 10 + 240).
+	B. M. pp. 54.
+
+1767.  De l'imposture sacerdotale, ou Recueil de Pièces sur le Clergé.
+Traduites de l'Anglois. Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVII.
+(12mo, pp. 144.)
+	B. N., D2 8368 (7).
+
+	Contains, Tableau fidèle des papes.  _Traduit d'une Brochure
+	Anglaise_ de M. Davisson, Publie sous le titre de _a true picture
+	of Popery_, pp. 1-35.
+
+	De l'insolence pontificale, ou des Prétentions ridicules du
+	Pape et des Flatteurs de la Cour de Rome.  _Extrait de la
+	Profession de Foi du célèbre Giannone_, par. M. Davisson, pp. 36-54.
+
+	Sermon.  Sur les fourberies et les impostures du Clergé
+	Romain, _Traduit de l'Anglois sur une Brochure publiée à
+	Londres en 1735_ par M. Bourn Birmingham, Sous le titre de
+	_Popery a Craft_, pp. 55-84.
+
+	Le Prêtrianisme opposé au Christianisme.  Ou la Religion
+	des Prêtres comparée à celle de Jésus-Christ, ou examen de la
+	différence qui se trouve entre les Apôtres et les Membres du
+	Clergé moderne.  _Publié en Anglois en 1720 sous le titre de_
+	Priestanity.  Or a View of the disparity between the Apostles
+	and the Modern Clergy, pp. 85-108.
+
+	Des Dangers de l'Eglise, _Traduit de Anglois sur une Brochure
+	Publiée eu 1719_.  Par M., Thomas Gordon, Sous le titre
+	d'_Apology for the danger of the Church_, etc., pp. 109-128.
+
+	Le Simbole d'un Laïque, ou Profession de Foi d'un homme
+	désintéressé.  Traduit de l'Anglois de M. Gordon, Sur une
+	brochure publiée en 1720.  Sous le titre de _the creed of an
+	independent Whig_, pp. 129-144.
+
+--Ibid.  Published under title De La Monstruosité pontificale, ou
+Tableau fidèle des Papes.  _Traduit de l'Anglois_ Londres
+MDCCLXXII.  (16vo, pp. 55.)
+	B. N., H. 19859.
+
+1768.  Examen des Prophéties qui servent de fondement à la religion
+chrétienne, avec un Essai de critique sur les Prophètes et les
+Prophéties en général.  Ouvrages traduits de l'Anglois.
+Londres MDCCLXVIII.  (8vo, pp. 234.)
+	B. N., D2 5190.
+	B. M. 4017 de 18.
+
+Contains, Discours sur les fondements de la religion chrétienne, pp. 1-111.
+
+Extrait De l'Ouvrage qui a pour titre: Examen du Septème de ceux
+qui prétendent que les Prophéties se sont accomplies à la lettre.
+The Scheme of literal Prophecy considered, etc., 1727. (8vo, pp. 118-234.)
+
+1768.  David, ou l'Histoire de l'homme selon le coeur de Dieu, ouvrage
+traduit de l'Anglois.  Saül, et David, tragédie en 5 actes d'après
+l'Anglois.... (Londres, 1768, 8vo.)
+	B. N. 3 ex. LD2 5194, Hz 1542, et Rès Z. Beuchot 798 (2).
+	B. M. 4014 a 67 (1).
+
+1768.  Les Prêtres démasqués, ou des iniquités du clergé chrétien.
+Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.  Londres.  MDCCLXVIII.
+(16vo, pp. 180.)
+	B. N., D2 4639.
+	B. M. 4017 de 29.
+
+1768.  Lettres philosophiques, sur l'origine des Préjugés, du Dogme de
+l'Immortalité de l'Ame, de l'Idolâtrie et de la Superstition; sur
+le Système de Spinoza et sur l'origine du mouvement dans la
+matière.  Traduites de l'Anglois de J. Toland.
+
+	Opinionum commenta delet dies, naturae judicia confirmat.
+	Cicero, de Nat. Deor. lib. II.  A Londres (Amsterdam). 1768.
+	MDCCLXVIII. (8vo, pp. 267.)
+		B. N., D2 5203.
+		B. M. 4015 de 48.
+
+	Containing, Préface ou Lettre à un ami, en lui envoyant les
+	Dissertations suivantes, dans laquelle l'Auteur rend compte des
+	motifs qui les ont fait écrire. (pp. 12-26.)
+
+	Première Lettre.  De L'origine et de la Force de ces Préjugés.
+	(pp. 27-44.)
+
+	Seconde Lettre.  Histoire du dogme de l'Immortalité de
+	l'Ame Chez les Payens. (pp. 45-93.)
+
+	Troisième Lettre.  Sur l'origine de l'Idolâtrie et sur les
+	fondements de la Religion Payenne. (pp. 94-152.)
+
+	Quartrième Lettre.  A un Gentilhomme Hollandois pour lui
+	prouver que le système de Spinoza est dépourvu de fondements
+	et pèche dans ses principes. (pp. 154-186.)
+
+	Cinquième Lettre.  Dans laquelle on prouve que le mouvement
+	est essentiel à la Matière; en réponse à quelques remarques
+	qui ont été faites à l'Auteur au sujet de sa réfutation du
+	Système de Spinoza.
+
+	Nunc quae mobilitas fit reddita Materiaë Corporibus paucis
+	licet hinc cognoscere, Memmi.  Lucret., lib. II, vers 142.
+	(pp. 187-267.)
+
+1768.  Théologie portative, ou Dictionnaire Abrégé de la Religion
+Chrétienne.  Par Mr. l'Abbé Bernier, Licencié en Théologie.
+
+Audite hoc Sacerdotes, et attendite Domus Israël, et Domus
+Regis auscultate; quia vobis Judicium est, quoniam Laquens
+facti estis Speculationi et rete expansum super Thabor. Osée,
+Chap. V, Vers. I.  Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXVIII (1767),
+(12mo, pp. 243).
+	B. N., D2 14334.
+	B. M. 703 a 25.
+
+--Ibid. Londres (Suisse), 1768.
+
+--Ibid.  A Rome, MDCCLXXV (8vo, pp. 213).
+	B. N., D2 8370.
+
+--Ibid.  Augmentée d'un Volume.  A Rome, avec permission et privilège
+du Conclave.  (2 vols., 12mo (1776).)
+	B. N., D2 8371.
+
+--Ibid.  Under title.  Manuel Théologique, en form de Dictionnaire.
+Ouvrage très utile aux personnes des deux sexes pour le salut de leurs
+âmes, par l'abbé Bernier etc.  Rome, 1785 Au Vatican de l'Imprimerie du
+Conclave. (2 vols., 8vo.)
+
+--Ibid.  1802.
+
+1768.  Le Militaire philosophe, ou Difficultés sur la Religion,
+proposées au R. P. Malebranche, Prêtre de l'Oratoire.  Par un ancien
+Officier.  Londres (Amsterdam) MDCCLXVIII.  (8vo, pp. 193.)
+	C. U. 201 N 14.
+
+--Ibid.  1770 (8vo) .
+	B. M. 4015 bb 32.
+
+--Ibid.  1776 (8vo).
+	B. M. 4015 de 34.
+	(Last chapter by d'Holbach.)
+
+1768.  La Contagion sacrée, ou Histoire Naturelle de la Superstition.
+Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.  _Prima mali labes_.  Londres
+(Amsterdam), MDCCLXVII. (2 vols. in 1, 8vo.)
+	B. N., D2 5195.
+	C. U. 194 H 69 P.
+
+--Ibid.  Avec des notes relatives aux Circonstances.  Nouvelle
+Edition.  A Paris, de l'Imprimerie de Lemaire, rue d'Enfer no. 141,
+An 5 de la Republique (1797).  (2 vols. in 1, 8vo, pp. 179-190.)
+	U. T. S. 441
+	B. H. 723 C.
+
+--El Contagion sagrado, ó Historia natural de la supersticion.
+Paris, Rodriguez, 1822.  (2 vols., 8vo.)  (Quérard.)
+
+1768.  Lettres à Eugénia, ou Préservatif contre les préjugés ... arctis
+Relligionum animos nodis exsolvere pergo.--Lucret. de rer. nat., Lib. 4,
+v. 6-7.  A Londres, MDCCLXVIII. (2 vols., 8vo, pp. xii + 188 + 167)
+
+--Ibid.  Oeuvres de Nicolas Fréret, T. I, pp. 1-359. Paris, 1792.  (8vo.)
+	H. U. 19-30, vol. I.
+
+--Cartas á Eugenia, por Mr. Freret.  Paris.  Imprenta de F. Didot,
+1810 (8vo, pp. viii + 358).
+	B. M. 4015 de 23.
+
+--Letters to Eugenia on the absurd, contradictory and demoralizing
+Dogmas and Mysteries of the Christian Religion.  Now first translated
+from the French of Fréret, but supposed to be written by Baron Holbach,
+author of the System of Nature, Christianity Unveiled, Common Sense,
+Universal Morality, Natural Morality.  R. Carlile, The Deist, etc.,
+Vol. II, 1819, etc.  (8vo, pp. 185.)
+	B. M. 4015 f. 11.
+
+--Cartas à Eugenia.  Madrid, 1823, por Don Benito Cano.  2v.
+	N. Y., Z F F.
+
+--Letters to Eugenia on the absurd, contradictory and demoralizing
+Dogmas and Mysteries of the Christian Religion, by Baron d'Holbach,
+New York, published by H. M. Dubecquet, No. 190
+William Street, 1833.  (12vo, pp. 236.)
+	U. T. S. 326 B.
+
+--Letters to Eugenia etc., translated by Anthony C. Middleton,
+M.D. Boston, Josiah P. Mendum, 1857.
+	B. P. 5484 2.
+
+1769.  De la Cruauté religieuse.  A Londres, MDCCLXIX. (16vo, pp. 228.)
+	B. N., D2 8365.
+	B. M. 4017 aa 25.
+	U. T. S. H 723.
+
+--Ibid.  Amsterdam, 1775, 12vo.
+
+1769.  Le la Tolérance dans la Religion, ou de la Liberté de conscience
+par Crellius.  L'Intolérance convaincue de crime et de folie.
+Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois, Londres, MDCCLXIX.  (12vo, pp. 174.)
+
+	Contains De la Tolérance dans la religion, ou de la liberté de
+	conscience (Crellius).
+
+	De l'Intolérance dans la Religion (d'Holbach), p. 88.
+
+	Enfer détruit ou Examen Raisonné du Dogme de l'Eternité
+	des peines.  Ouvrages, tr. de L'Anglois à Londres, MDCCLXIX, p. 1.
+
+	Dissertation critique sur les tourmens de l'enfer.  Traduit de
+	L'Anglois, p. 96 (by Whitefoot).
+		B. N., D2 5154.
+
+--Ibid.  Hell destroyed!  Now first translated from the French of
+d'Alembert without any mutilations.  London.  Printed and published
+by J. W. Trust, 126 Newgate St., 1823. (8vo, pp. 47.)
+(Followed by Whitefoot's Torments of Hell, "now first translated
+from the French," to p. 83.)
+
+1770.  L'Esprit du judaïsme, ou Examen raisonné de la Loi de Moyse,
+et de son influence sur la Religion Chrétienne.
+	Atque utinam nunquam Judaea sub acta fuisset Pompeii
+	bellis, imperioque Titi.
+	Latius excisae pestes contagie serpunt, Victoresques suos
+	natio victa premit.  Rutilius, Itinerar.  Lia I, vs. 394, Londres,
+	MDCCLXX. (12mo, pp. xxii + 201.)
+		B. N., D2 5191.
+		B. M. 4034 bb 38.
+
+1770.  Examen critique de la vie et des ouvrages de saint Paul, Avec
+une dissertation sur saint Pierre par feu M. Boulanger.
+Londres, 1770 (8vo), (by Peter Annet).
+	B. N. 3ex. [D2 5349 (2) 8367 et H. 7551].
+	B. M. 48o8 aa 7.
+
+--Ibid.  Nouvelle Edition, Londres, 1790. (8vo.)
+	B. N. [H 13032].
+
+--Critical Examination of the Life of St. Paul.  Translated from
+the French of Boulanger.  "Paul, thou art beside thyself, much
+learning doth make thee mad."  Acts, chap, 26, v 24.  London.
+Printed and published by R. Carlile, 5 Water Lane, Fleet St.,
+1823.  (8vo, pp. 72.)
+	B. M. 4372 h g (4).
+
+1770.  Histoire critique de Jésus-Christ, ou Analyse raisonnée
+des Evangiles.  Ecce Homo.
+Pudet me humani generis, cuius mentis et aures talia ferre
+potuerunt.  S. Augustin. (No date [Amsterdam, 1770?], 16mo,
+pp. viii + xxxii + 298.)
+	B. N, 7,549.
+	B. M. 4017 a. 45.
+	U. T. S. 465 H 723.
+
+--Ecce Homo! or a critical enquiry into the history of Jesus Christ,
+being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels.  Edinburg, 1799.
+
+--Ecce Homo! or a critical enquiry into the history of Jesus Christ,
+being a Rational Analysis of the Gospels.  (2d ed.) London, 1813.
+Printed, published and sold by D. I. Easton.
+	G. T. S. 232 G. H. 69.
+
+--Historia critica de Jesus Christo, o anáilisis razonado le los
+evangelios.  Traducida del Frances, por el P. F. de T, ex-jesuita.
+Ecce Homo.  Vel. aqui el hombre.  S. Juan, cap. 19,
+
+v. 5. Londres, en la imprenta de Davidson, 1822.  (2 vols., 12mo,
+pp. xiii + 200 + 280.)
+
+Contains Advertencia del Traductor.
+
+1770.  Tableau des Saints, ou examen de l'esprit, de la conduite, des
+maximes, et du mérite des personnages que le Christianisme révère et
+propose pour modèles.
+Hoc admonere simplices etiam potest,
+Opinione alterius ne quid ponderent;
+Ambitio namque diffidens mortalium
+Aut gratiae subscribunt, aut odio suo;
+Erit ille nottis, quem per te cognoveris.
+Phaed., Lib. III, Fab. 10.
+
+A Londres, MDCCLXX.  (2 Vols., 12mo, pp. xxviii + 280 + 286.)
+	B. N., H 7,552.
+	B. M. 4,824 a a a a 27.
+
+1770.  Recueil philosophique, ou Mélange de Pièces sur la Religion et
+la Morale.  Par différents Auteurs (ed. Naigeon).
+
+Ovando enim ista observans quieto et libero animo esse poteris,
+ut ad vem gerendam non Superstionem habeas, sed Rationem ducem.
+--Cicero, de Divinat., Lib. 2.  Londres, MDCCLXX.  (2 vols., 12mo.)
+	B. N., D2 5309.
+
+	Vol. I, p. 129 (VI), Réflexions sur les Craintes de la Mort.
+
+	Vol. II, p. 34 (IX), Dissertation sur l'Immortalité de l'âme.
+	Traduite de l'Anglais.
+
+	Vol. II, p. 50 (X), Dissertation sur le suicide.  Traduit de l'Anglais.
+
+	Vol. II, p. 70 (XI).  Problème important.  La Religion est
+	elle nécessaire à la Morale et utile à la Politique?  Par M.
+	Mirabaud.
+
+	Vol. II, p. 125 (XIII).  Extrait d'un Ecrit Anglais qui a pour
+	titre _le christianisme aussi ancien que le monde_.
+
+1770.  Essai sur les préjugés, ou, De l'influence des opinions sur les
+moeurs et sur le bonheur des hommes.  Ouvrage contenant l'apologie
+de la philosophie par Mr. D. M.
+
+Assiduite quotidiana et consuetudine oculorum assuescunt animi,
+neque admirantur, neque requerunt rationes earum rerum quas vident.
+--Cicero de Nat. Deorum, Lib. II.  Londres, MDCCLXX. (8vo, pp. 394.)
+	B. N., R 20 553.
+	B. M. 8463 b b b 16.
+	H. U. Phil. 264840.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris Desray an 1 (1792).  (2 vols., 8vo, Cortina.)
+
+--Ibid.  Oeuvres de Dumarsais. Paris, Pougin, 1797.  T. VI 
+8vo, pp. 43-352.
+	B. N., Z 23766-72.
+	H. U. 9578 13 VI.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, Niogret, 1822.
+	C. U. 3045 D 89.
+
+--Essayo sobre las preocupaciones ó del influjo de las opiniones
+en las costumbres y felicidad de las hombres.  Por Dumarsais.
+En Paris.  Hallase en la casa de Rosa, Librero.  Gran pacio del
+Palacio Real.  1823.  (8vo, pp. 391.)
+	B. N., R 34,366.
+
+--(Bibliothèque Nationale. Collection des meilleurs auteurs
+anciens et modernes.)  Dumarsais.  Essai sur les Préjugés.
+Précédé d'un Discours préliminaire et d'un Précis historique de
+la vie de Dumarsais par le citoyen Daube.  Paris.  Librairie de
+la Bibliothèque Nationale.  Rue de Richelieu 8, Près le
+Théâtre Francais. Ci-devant rue de Valois 1886.  Tous droits
+resérvés (25 centimes).
+	B. N. 8vo R. 15952.
+
+1770.  Système de la Nature, ou Des Loix du Monde Physique et du
+Monde Moral. Par M. Mirabaud, Secrétaire Perpétuel et l'un 
+des Quarante de l'Académie Française.
+
+Natura rerum vis atque majestas in omnibus momentis fide
+caret, si quis modè partes ejus, ac non totam complectatur
+animo.--Plin. Hist., Lib. VII. Londres, MDCCLXX.
+(2 vols., 8vo, pp. 370 + 412.)
+	B. M. 4017 f 32
+	U. T. S. 321 H 7235.
+
+--Ibid, Londres, MDCCLXX. (Second edition, 2 Vols., in 8vo,
+pp. 366 + 408.)
+	B. M., D2 5166-5167.
+Contains Discours préliminaire de l'Auteur (pp. 16).  Avis de
+l'Editeur. Préface de l'Auteur, etc.
+
+--Abrégé du Code de la Nature, par M., Mirabaud, Secrétaire
+Perpétuel et l'un des Quarante de l'Académe Française. 
+Londres. MDCCLXX. (8vo, 16 p.)
+
+--Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition augmentée par l'auteur à laquelle on a
+joint plusieurs pièces des meilleurs Auteurs relatives aux
+mêmes objets, etc.  (Ed. Naigeon.)  Londres, MDCCLXXI.
+(2 vols. in 8vo, pp. 397-500.)
+
+Contains Vol. II, p. 455, Réquisitoire, sur lequel est intervenu
+l'Arrêt du Parlement du 18 Août 1770 qui condamne à
+être brûlés, differens Livres ou Brochures, intitulés.
+
+1. La Contagion sacrée...
+2. Dieu et les hommes.
+3. Discours sur les Miracles.
+4. Examen des Apologistes.
+5. Examen impartial des principales religions du Monde.
+6. Christianisme dévoilé.
+7. Système de la Nature.
+Imprimé par ordre exprès du Roi.
+	B. M., D2 5168.
+Reprinted in 1774, 1775-1777.
+
+--Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition.  Londres,  1780, 8vo, pp. xii + 371 + 464.
+
+Contains _Sentiments de Voltaire sur le Système de la Nature_.
+Séguier's _Réquisitoire_ and Holbach's _Réplique_.
+	B. M. 528 1. 2526.
+
+--Ibid.  Nouvelle Édition. Londres, 1781. (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. 316 + 385.)
+	B. N., D2 516g.
+
+--Ibid.  German Translation, Schreiter.  Leipzig and Frankfort, 1783.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, An. III (1795).  (3 vols. in 8vo.)
+
+--The System of Nature.  Translated from the French of M. Mirabeau.
+London, 1797.  Printed for G. Kearsley.
+	L. of C. B 2053-S G E-12 11-15959.
+
+--Ibid.  Philadelphia, 1808.  Pub. by R. Benson.
+	L. of C., B 2053-S G 3 E 13-11-1595 G.
+
+--Nature and Her Laws, as Applicable to the Happiness of Man Living
+in Society, Contrasted with Superstitions and Imaginary Systems.
+Done from the French of M. Mirabaud.  London in 1816.  W. Hodgson.
+	C. U. 194 H 69 S.
+	L. of C., B 2053 S g 3 E 14-11.15960
+
+--Système de la Nature,... Avec notes de Diderot.  Nouvelle édition.
+Ed. Lemonnier, Paris, 1820.  B. Roquefort.  (2 vols. in 8vo.)
+
+--The System of Nature, or the Laws of the Moral and Physical World.
+Translated by Samuel Wilkinson from the original French of M. Mirabaud.
+Printed and published by Thomas Davison. (Vols. 2, 3, R. Helder, 1821.)
+London, 1820.
+3 vols in 8vo, pp. xi + 348-311-273.)  Contains Life of Mirabaud,
+Vol. 3, pp. 263-273.
+	B. M. 804. de 20?
+	U. S. 321. H 723.
+
+--Système de la Nature... par le Baron d'Holbach.
+Nouvelle Edition avec des notes et des corrections par Diderot.
+Paris, Etienne Ledoux, 1821.  (2 vols. in 8vo, pp. xvi + 507 +502.)
+	B. N., D2 5170.
+	B. M. 124 9 i. 26.
+	C. U, 194 H 69. R.
+	N. Y., Y C O.
+Contains extract of Grimm's Literary Correspondence, Aug. 10, 1789.
+
+--Système de la Nature, ou des lois du monde physique et du monde
+morale, par le Baron d'Holbach.  Nouvelle Édition avec des notes et
+des corrections par Diderot etc.  Paris, Domère, 1822. (4 vols. in 12mo.)
+Contains Avis de Naigion.  Avertissement du nouvel éditeur, pp. 11-29.
+Pièces diverses, pp. 30-46.
+
+--Sistema de la Naturaleza, con notas y correcciones por Diderot;
+trad, al castell. por F. A. F....  Paris, Masson hijo, 1822,
+4 vols. in 18mo.
+	B. N., D2 5172.
+
+--Selections from Mirabaud's System of Nature in the Law of Reason, etc.
+London, 1831.  (16mo, pp. 231.)
+Selections from Bon-Sens, pp. 39-81, 82-112.
+	B. M. 1387. b. 3.
+
+--Nature and her Laws, as Applicable to the Happiness of Man Living
+in Society, Contrasted with Superstitions and Imaginary Systems.
+From the French of M. de Mirabaud.  James Watson.  London, 1834.
+(2 vols. in 12mo, pp. xxiv + 287 + 320.)
+Sold for 7 s. 6 d.
+	B. M. 1133 b 29.
+Contains
+1. Publisher's Preface (by James Watson).
+2. Preface.
+3. A short account of the life and writings of the Baron d'Holbach
+(by Julian Hibbert).
+
+--System of Nature, new and improved edition with notes by Diderot.
+Translated by H. D. Robinson.  New York, 1835, published by Matsell.
+	N. Y., Y B X.
+
+--System of Nature, or the laws of the moral and physical world,
+from the French of M. Mirabaud.  (New edition, pp. 8 + 520.)
+London, 1840.
+	C. U. 194 H 69. R 1.
+
+--System der Natur von Mirabaud. Deutsch bearbeitet und mit Anmerkungen
+versehen von Biedermann.  Leipzig, 1841.
+(8vo, pp. 604.) Georg. Wigands Verlag.
+	T. S. (Andover 23).
+
+--System der Natur....  Translated by Schreiter, 1843.
+
+--System of Nature, new and improved edition with notes by Diderot,
+translated by H. D. Robinson.  Stereotype edition, Boston, 1848,
+in 8vo.  Published by J. P. Mendum.
+	B. P. 00.80-6105.5.
+
+--System der Natur..., tr. Allhusen, 1851.
+
+--System of Nature..., tr. Robinson, Boston. 1853. Published by
+J. P. Mendum.
+	B. P. 3600.48.
+	N. Y., Y C O 11-15957/
+	L. of C., B. 2053. S g 3 E 6.
+
+--The System of Nature; or, The Laws of the Moral and Physical World,
+by the baron d'Holbach, originally attributed to M. de Mirabaud with
+memoir by Charles Bradlaugh.  Reprinted verbatim from the best edition.
+London.  Published by E. Truelove, 256 High Holborn, 1884. In 8vo,
+pp. xi + 520.
+	B. M. 8467 a a 33.
+
+1772.  Le Bon-sens ou idées naturelles opposées aux idées surnaturelles.
+	 	Detexit quo doloso vaticinandi furore Sacerdotes
+	 	mysteria, illis saepe ignota, audacter publicant.
+	 	--Petronii Satyricon.
+Londres (Amsterdam) 1772, 8vo, pp. xii - 515.
+	U. T. S. 321 H. 7236.
+
+--Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier d'Etrépigny.  Rome
+(Paris), 1791, 8vo.
+
+--Ibid.  Another edition, 1772, 8vo, pp. x-250.
+
+--Ibid. Londres (Amsterdam), 1774, 16mo, pp. xii-302.
+	U. T. S. 321 H. 7236.
+
+--Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé Meslier d'Etrépigny.  Rome
+(Paris), 1791, 8vo.
+
+--Ibid.  Nouvelle édition, suivi du Testament du curé Meslier.
+Paris, Bouqueton, l'an I de la République.  (1792, 2 vols., 12mo.)
+
+--Ibid.  Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier suivi de son Testament.
+Paris, 1802, 8vo, pp. 380.
+	C. U. 843 M 56 D 1.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, Palais des Thermes de Julien, 1802 (1822), 12mo.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1830, 12mo.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1831, 12mo.
+
+--Common Sense, H. D. Robinson, New York, circa 1833.
+
+--Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier, etc.  Paris, Bacquenois, 1833, 12mo.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, Guillaumin, 1834, 12mo.
+
+--Ibid.  Nancy, Haener, 1834, 12mo.
+
+--Der gesunde Menschenverstand.  Baltimore, 1857.
+
+--Ibid.  Baltimore, 1859 (second edition), H. U.
+
+--Ibid.  Tr. into German by Miss Anna Knoop. circa 1878.
+
+--Ibid., under title, Superstition in all ages; by Jean Meslier...
+who left to the world the following pages entitled _Common Sense_.
+Translated from the French original by Miss Anna Knoop, New York, 1878. 
+	C. U. L. 211 M.
+
+--Ibid.  New York, Peter Eckler, 1890, pp. vi-339.
+	U. T. S.
+
+--Le Bon-sens du curé J. Meslier, Paris, Palais des Thermes de
+Julien, 1802.  (Garnier Frères, 1905.)
+	H. U.
+
+--Superstition in all ages, etc.  Translated from the French original
+by Miss Anna Knoop; arranged for publication in its present form and
+manner with new title-page and preface by Dr. L. W. deLaurence.  Same
+to now serve as "text-book" number five for "the congress of ancient,
+divine, mental and Christian masters," Chicago, Ill., DeLaurence,
+Scott & Co., 1910, pp. xx-17-339.
+	L. of C. 1910, A 26880.  L. W. de Laurence.
+
+1772.  De la nature humaine, ou Exposition des facultés, des actions
+et des passions de l'âme, et de leurs causes, déduites d'après des
+principes philosophiques qui ne sont communément ni reçus ni connus.
+Par Thomas Hobbes; Ouvrage traduit de l'Anglois.
+Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXXII. (8vo, pp. iv + 171.)
+	B. M. 8403 c c 15.
+	(Bookmark of Richard Chase Sidney.)
+
+--Ibid.  Oeuvres philosophiques et politiques de Thomas Hobbes.
+1787. (2 vols., 8vo.)  (Tr. by Sorbière and Holbach.)
+	B. M. 528 2223.
+
+1773.  Recherches sur les Miracles.  Par l'auteur de l'Examen des
+Apologistes de la Religion Chrétienne.  A Genus attonitum.
+Ovid.  Metam.  Londres, MDCCLXXIII.  (8vo. pp. 172.)
+	B. M. 4015 de 44.
+
+1773.  La politique naturelle, ou, Discours sur les vrais principes du
+Governement.  Par un ancien Magistrat.
+Vis consili expers mole ruit suâ. --Horat., Ode IV, lib. III, vers. 65
+Londres (Amsterdam), MDCCLXXIII. (2 vols. in 8vo.
+pp. vii + 232 + 280.)
+	B. M. 521 h. 8.
+	U. S. 269 E. H. 723 (ex libris Baron Carl de Vinck, Ministre de Belgique).
+	C. U. 320 H. 691.
+	(Ascribed also to C. G. Lamoignon de Malesherbes.)
+
+--Ibid.  Londres, 1774.  (2 vols, in 8vo.)
+
+--La Politica Naturale: discorsi sui veri principi di governo.
+Traduzione di Luigi Salvadori.  Mantova, Balbiani e Donelli,
+'78-80.  (2 vols., 16 (L. 5).)
+
+1773.  Système Social, ou principes naturels de la moral et de la
+politique, avec un examen de l'influence du governement sur les moeurs.
+Discenda virtus est, ars est bonum fieri; erras si existimas
+vitia nobiscum nasci; supervenerunt in gesta sunt. --Seneca, Epis. 124.
+Londres, MDCCLXXIII.  (8vo, pp. 218 + 174 + 166, in three parts.)
+	B. N., R 20275.76 E 1919.
+	C. U. 320. H. 69.
+	N. Y. SC.
+
+--Ibid.  Par l'auteur du Système de la Nature, Londres, 1774.
+(3 vols., 8vo, pp. 208 + 174 + 167.)
+	B. M. 8403. h 23.
+
+--Ibid.  A Paris, Servière, 1795.  (2 vols., 8vo, pp. 472 + 403.)
+	B. M. 8404 dc. 25 (ex libris J. Gomez de la Cortina et amicorum.
+	Fallitur hora legendo).
+
+--Ibid.  ...par le baron d'Holbach.  Paris, Niogret, 1882.
+(2 vols, 8vo.)
+	C. U. 320.  H. 690.
+
+1774.  Agriculture réduit à ses vrais principes par Jean Gottschalk
+Wallerius, Paris, Lacombe, 1774. (12mo.)
+
+1776.  Ethocratie ou le gouvernement fondé sur la morale.
+Constituit bonos mores civitati princips. --Seneca, de Clementia, Lib. I.
+A Amsterdam.  Chez Marc Michel Rey.  MDCCLXXVI.
+(8vo, pp. 10 + 293 + 2.)
+	C. U. 320. 1 H 69.
+
+1776.  Morale universelle, ou Les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur la nature.
+Naturâ duce utendum est: hanc ratio observe, hanc
+consulit, idem est ergo beatè vivere et secundum naturam. --Seneca
+de Vita beata, Cap. VIII init.
+A Amsterdam.  Chez Marc-Michel Rey, MDCCLXXVI.
+(3 vols., 8vo, pp. 416 + 334 + 364.)
+	B. N., R 18596-7-8..
+	B. M. 231 h-3
+
+--Ibid.  A Tours, Chez Letourmy le jeune et compagnie, A Angers,
+De l'Imprimerie de Jahyer et Geslin.  Imprimeurs-Libraries, rue
+Milton, 1792. (8vo.)
+	B. M. 527.  K. 1-3H.
+	U. Phil. 2648.50.
+
+--Ibid.  Paris, Smith (Rey et Gravier), an 6, 1798. (3 vols., 8vo.)
+
+--Ibid.  Par le baron d'Holbach. Paris, Masson et fils.  Libraires,
+Rue de Tournon, No. 6, 1820.  (3 vols., 8vo, pp. xxxii + 314 + 266 + 300.)
+	C. U. 170 H 2.
+	B. M. 8411 k 7.
+
+--Moral universal ódeberes del hombre, fundatos en su naturaleza.
+Obra escrita en francès por el baron de Holbach y traducida al
+castellano por D. Manuel Diaz Moreno Zaragoza, 1838, imp. de
+M. Heras. (3 vols., 8vo.)
+
+--La moral universel por el baron de Holbach.  Madrid, 1840,
+imp. y lib. del Establecimiento Central. (2 vols. in 4to.)
+
+--Ibid.  Translated into German by Johann Umminger.  Leipzig, 1898.
+
+
+1790.  Elements de la morale universelle, ou catechisme de la nature.
+Par feu M., le Baron d'Holbach des académies de Pétersbourg de Manheim
+et de Berlin.
+Numquam aliud natura aliud sapientia dicit.--Juvenal.
+A Paris.  Chez G. de Bure.  Rue Serpente, No. 6, MDCCXC.
+(24vo, pp. vi + 208.)
+	B. M. 528. a. 27.
+	B. P., G. 3537.14.
+
+--Elementos de la moral universel, ó catecismo de la naturaleza,
+por el baron de Holbach.  Madrid, 1820, imp. que fué de Fuentenebro,
+lib de Sanchez en 8vo past.
+
+--Principios de moral, ó manuel de los deberes del hombre fundados
+en la naturaleza.  Obra póstuma de baron de Holbach.  Traducida al
+espanol por D. L. M. G. adoptada en su mayor parte de la escuelas
+de primera educacion para instruccion de los ninos.  Madrid, 1837,
+imp. de Ferrer y compania lib de J Sanz.  (In 16mo.)
+
+
+
+
+
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+
+
+
+
+VITA
+
+
+Max Pearson Cushing, born in Bangor, Maine, October 27, 1886;
+Bangor High School, 1905; A.B. Bowdown College, 1909.  Instructor
+in English, Robert College, Constantinople, 1909-1911; Graduate
+Student in History, Columbia University, 1911-1913; A.M. Columbia, 1912,
+Instructor in History, Reed College, Portland, Oregon, 1913- ----.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
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