1712-1778.
1712. Birth of Jean-Jacques Rousseau at Geneva 111
His Studies when a Boy 112
Placed under M. Lambercier, Minister of Bossey 113
Lives with a M. Bernard, Engineer 114
Is pupil to a Greffier 114
His love of Reading 115
He runs away from Geneva 115
Visits M. de Pontverre at Confignon in Savoy 116
The Countess de Warens, a Convert to the Romish Religion, is
pensioned by the King of Sardinia, and resides at Annecy 117
Rousseau is recommended to the Hospital of Turin for the
Conversion of Protestants 117
His Abjuration of the Calvinistic Creed 118
Is Footman to the Countess Vercelli 119
Also a domestic in a noble Family at Turin 120
Whom he quits on a roving Expedition to revisit Madame de
Warens 120
1729. Ætat. 17. Kind reception of Jean-Jacques by that Lady 121
His Genius in Music 121
His Visit to Neufchâtel and Paris 122
1733. Ætat. 21. Madame de Warens recommends him to Employment in
a Bureau at Chambery 122
1735. Ætat. 23. He is established at Chambery as Music-master 124
Madame de Warens removes to Les Charmettes, where Rousseau
prosecutes his Studies with Ardour 125
The Confessions of Jean-Jacques with regard to this Period of
his Career 126
Ill-health of Rousseau 126
His Method of Notation for Music 127
Rousseau's Spirit of Independence 128
1741. Ætat. 29. His Employments at Paris, where he is encouraged 128
1743. Ætat. 31. Appointed Secretary to M. de Montague, Ambassador
at Venice 128
His Return to Paris 129
His Friends interest themselves for him 129
His Mistress Thérèse le Vasseur 130
Rousseau consigns their Children to the "Enfants trouvés" 131
Reflections on the Condition of Foundlings 131
Rousseau eventually a Victim to his lax Principles from the
Destitution of all social Ties 132
1749. Ætat. 37. Visits M. Diderot, who was confined at Vincennes
for a Pamphlet 133
Rousseau's celebrated Essay on the proposed Question, "Whether
the Progress of the Arts and Sciences had tended to corrupt or
ameliorate the condition of Men" 134
He renounces the Appointment of Cashier to a Farmer-general
of the Taxes 135
Copies Music for a Subsistence 135
1750. Ætat. 38. Great Success of his "Devin du Village," an Opera 136
His Essay on "The Origin of Inequality among Men" 137
1754. Ætat. 42. He revisits Geneva 137
Poverty of Madame de Warens 137
Rousseau abjures the Romish Faith, and again embraces the
Reformed Religion 137
Is invited to reside in Geneva, his native City 138
Madame d'Epinay 138
She establishes him at the Hermitage near Montmorenci,
belonging to M. d'Epinay 138
Rousseau's "Les Institutions Politiques," and other literary
employments 139
Writes "La Nouvelle Héloïse" 140
Rousseau's love for the Countess d'Houdetot 141
M. de Saint Lambert 141
Cause of the Coolness between J. J. Rousseau and MM.
Diderot and Grimm 144
Treachery of M. Grimm 145
State of French Society under Louis XV. 147
1758. Ætat. 46. Rousseau removes from the Hermitage to
Montmorenci 148
His Quarrel with Diderot 148
He writes against the Establishment of a Theatre at Geneva 149
Sentiments expressed in his "Confessions" 149
Marshal the Duke of Luxembourg and the Duchess of Luxembourg
friendly to Rousseau 149
1760. Publication of "La Nouvelle Héloïse" 150
The "Emile," or Rousseau on Education 150
Some admirable Maxims of that celebrated Treatise 150
M. de Malesherbes 151
The "Confession of a Savoyard Vicar" 152
1762. Ætat. 50. It is condemned, and Rousseau warned by the Duchess
of Luxembourg to make his escape 153
He arrives at Iverdun, but is exiled by the Council of Berne 154
Is received at Neufchâtel by the Governor, Marshal Lord
Keith 154
His Study of Botany, and herborising Rambles 155
His Controversy with Geneva 156
Disturbances at Geneva 157
Rousseau's "Lettres écrites de la Montagne" 157
Rousseau quits Motiers through Fear of Assassination 157
Resides in the Island of St. Pierre, Lake of Bienne, but is
expelled by the Council of Berne 158
His Dislike of Dependence prevents him from repairing to the
Court of Frederic; Fictitious Letter in that King's Name by
Horace Walpole 159
Hospitably entertained by the Prince de Conti 159
1766. Ætat. 54. He accompanies David Hume to England 160
Resides at Wotton in Derbyshire, writes there his "Confessions,"
receives a Pension from George III.; but his morbid Melancholy
causes him to take some groundless Alarm and to fly to
France 161
1767. Ætat. 55. Is protected by the Prince de Conti at the Château of
Trie 162
1770. Ætat. 58. He is most kindly welcomed at Paris 163
His Readings of the "Confessions" in Society interrupted by the
Minister of Police 164
Lives by copying Music 165
Prince de Ligne visits him, and offers him a Home 167
Countess de Genlis gives Testimony of his Benevolence of Heart
and Modesty 167
The Abbé Bernardin de Saint Pierre gives a very favourable
Description of Rousseau 167
Respect shown for Rousseau at the Theatre by the Parisians 168
His morbid Sensibility verging on Madness 169
1778. Ætat. 66. His Death at Ermenonville, and Rumour with relation
to it 169
Inscription on his Tomb 170
Character of his "Confessions" 171
His Jealousy of literary Competitors 171
His Reveries; his Charity; Suspicion his characteristic 172
The "Emile" one of his most important Works 173
Criticism of his "Nouvelle Héloïse" 174
Eloquence, Tenderness, and Nature, in his Writings 174