Since this essay was written, the two editions of 1764 and 1784 have
been carefully collated, with the object of clearing up the obscurity
which surrounds them. The conclusions are as follows:--
A. The text of 1764 was completed some years before d'Argenson's
accession to the ministry, and is based upon a genuine manuscript,
probably as early as those of 1737.
B. The text of 1784, the whole of which is subsequent to his retirement
from the ministry, divides into two parts.
(_a_) Chapters I.--VI., and VIII. These chapters represent a part of
the original work as revised and enlarged by the author. The "plan,"
however, which they are designed to elucidate disappears from the
edition, and is replaced (Chapter VII.) by a much vaster project with
which they are not concerned. The date of this revision is probably
about 1750, and it may be placed generally from 1748 to 1752.
(_b_) Chapters VII., IX., and Conclusion. Chapter VII. contains
the second of d'Argenson's "plans." Chapter IX. and the Conclusion
represent the Chapter VIII., articles 2 and 3, of 1764, re-written with
a view to the second plan. To that "plan" they are pointedly directed,
and they have neither the same date nor the same intention as the
rest of the edition. The date of the second plan and of the second
fragmentary revision is probably about 1755.
The evidence for the suggested dates must be succinctly given.
(_a_) Chapters I.--VI. and VIII. It is here purely internal, _e.g._:--