* Discours sur l'inegalite.- Discourse on the Inequality of Mankind.
I corrected and copied the letter, and was preparing to print it when, after a long silence, I received one from Madam d'Houdetot, which brought upon me a new affliction more painful than any I had yet suffered.She informed me that my passion for her was known to all Paris, that I had spoken of it to persons who had made it public, that this rumor, having reached the ears of her lover, had nearly cost him his life; yet he did her justice and peace was restored between them; but on his account, as well as on hers, and for the sake of her reputation, she thought it her duty to break off all correspondence with me, at the same time assuring me that she and her friend were both interested in my welfare, that they would defend me to the public, and that she herself would from time to time send to inquire after my health.
"And thou also, Diderot," exclaimed I, "unworthy friend!"- I could not, however, yet resolve to condemn him.My weakness was known to others who might have spoken of it.I wished to doubt- , but this was soon out of my power.Saint Lambert shortly after performed an action worthy of himself.Knowing my manner of thinking, he judged of the state in which I must be; betrayed by one part of my friends and forsaken by the other.He came to see me.The first time he had not many moments to spare.He came again.Unfortunately, not expecting him, I was not at home.Theresa had with him a conversation of upwards of two hours, in which they informed each other of facts of great importance to us all.The surprise with which I learned that nobody doubted of my having lived with Madam d'Epinay, as Grimm then did, cannot be equaled, except by that of Saint Lambert, when he was convinced that the rumor was false.He, to the great dissatisfaction of the lady, was in the same situation with myself, and the eclaircissements resulting from the conversation removed from me all regret, on account of my having broken with her forever.Relative to Madam d'Houdetot, he mentioned several circumstances with which neither Theresa nor Madam d'Houdetot herself were acquainted; these were known to me only in the first instance, and I had never mentioned them except to Diderot, under the seal of friendship; and it was to Saint Lambert himself to whom he had chosen to communicate them.
This last step was sufficient to determine me.I resolved to break with Diderot forever, and this without further deliberation, except on the manner of doing it; for I had perceived secret ruptures turned to my prejudice, because they left the mask of friendship in possession of my most cruel enemies.
The rules of good breeding, established in the world on this head, seem to have been dictated by a spirit of treachery and falsehood.
To appear the friend of a man when in reality we are no longer so, is to reserve to ourselves the means of doing him an injury by surprising honest men into an error.I recollected that when the illustrious Montesquieu broke with Father de Tournemine, he immediately said to everybody: "Listen neither to Father Tournemine nor myself, when we speak of each other, for we are no longer friends." This open and generous proceeding was universally applauded.
I resolved to follow the example with Diderot; but what method was Ito take to publish the rupture authentically from my retreat, and yet without scandal? I concluded on inserting in the form of a note, in my work, a passage from the book of Ecclesiasticus, which declared the rupture and even the subject of it, in terms sufficiently clear to such as were acquainted with the previous circumstances, but could signify nothing to the rest of the world.I determined not to speak, in my work of the friend whom I renounced, except with the honor always due to extinguished friendship.The whole may be seen in the work itself.
There is nothing in this world but time and misfortune, and every act of courage seems to be a crime in adversity.For that which had been admired in Montesquieu, I received only blame and reproach.As soon as my work was printed, and I had copies of it, I sent one to Saint Lambert, who, the evening before, had written to me in his own name and that of Madam d'Houdetot, a note expressive of the most tender friendship.
The following is the letter he wrote to me when he returned the copy I had sent him.(Packet B, No.38.)EAUBONNE, 10th October, 1758.
"Indeed, sir, I cannot accept the present you have just made me.
In that part of your preface where, relative to Diderot, you quote a passage from Ecclesiastes (he mistakes, it is from Ecclesiasticus) the book dropped from my hand.In the conversations we had together in the summer, you seemed to be persuaded Diderot was not guilty of the pretended indiscretions you had imputed to him.You may, for aught Iknow to the contrary, have reason to complain of him, but this does not give you a right to insult him publicly.You are not unacquainted with the nature of the persecutions he suffers, and you join the voice of an old friend to that of envy.I cannot refrain from telling you, sir, how much this heinous act of yours has shocked me.Iam not acquainted with Diderot, but I honor him, and I have a lively sense of the pain you give to a man, whom, at least not in my hearing, you have never reproached with anything more than a trifling weakness.
You and I, sir, differ too much in our principles ever to be agreeable to each other.Forget that I exist; this you will easily do.I have never done to men either good or evil of a nature to be long remembered.I promise you, sir, to forget your person and to remember nothing relative to you but your talents."This letter filled me with indignation and affliction; and, in the excess of my pangs, feeling my pride wounded, I answered him by the following note:
MONTMORENCY, 11th October, 1758.
"SIR: While reading your letter, I did you the honor to be surprised at it, and had the weakness to suffer it to affect me; but I find it unworthy of an answer.
