This evidence proves conclusively that a considerable period must have
elapsed between the composition of the texts, a period extending beyond
the close of d'Argenson's ministry. The revised version can scarcely be
earlier than 1748 and scarcely later than 1752. It is separated from
the original by ten to fifteen years.
(_b_) Chapters VII., IX., and Conclusion. These chapters are
immeasurably in advance of the rest of the work, and represent a
complete revolution of ideas. We know, on the witness of his invaluable
Journal, that about the year 1753 such a revolution took place in
d'Argenson's mind; and that any time between 1753 and his death in 1757
such ideas were possible and natural to him [see this essay, Chapter
V.]. This portion of the work may be placed approximately about the
year 1755.