French Passages: The Business of Enlightenment: A Publishing History of the Encyclopédie, 1775–1800
Robert Darnton
Translated by Claude (claude-sonnet-4-6). Original French preserved verbatim. Bracketed words in translations indicate implied meaning. For research use.
IV. Piracy and Trade War 131
p. 12 — The Basis of a Bonne Affaire
Bonne Affaire
Good Deal [lit. Good Business]
p. 12 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
Lettre Ostensible
Open Letter [a letter intended to be shown to others]
p. 12 — Pourparlers for Peace
Pourparlers
Preliminary negotiations [informal peace talks]
p. 12 — A Drole de Paix
Drole de Paix
A Strange Peace [an odd or funny sort of peace]
Front matter
p. 17 — A Note on Terminology and Spelling
libraires, libraires-imprimeurs, ou simplement entrepreneurs
booksellers, bookseller-printers, or simply entrepreneurs
p. 17 — A Note on Terminology and Spelling
libraires
booksellers
p. 17 — A Note on Terminology and Spelling
libraires et imprimeurs
booksellers and printers
INTRODUCTION:
p. 18 — THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BOOK
l'histoire du livre
the history of the book
p. 19 — THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BOOK
Histoire du livre
History of the book
p. 19 — THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BOOK
histoire fatale
total [or: fateful] history
p. 20 — THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BOOK
inventaires apres deces
post-mortem inventories
p. 22 — THE BIOGRAPHY OF A BOOK
traites
contracts [or: agreements]
INTRODUCTION
p. 26 — The Biography of a Book
dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers
reasoned dictionary of the sciences, arts, and trades
p. 27 — The Business of Enlightenment
plusieurs maximes tendantes a detruire l'autorite royale, a etablir l'esprit d'independance et de revolte et, sous des termes obscurs et equivoques, elever les fondements de l'erreur, de la corruption des moeurs, de l'irreligion et de l'incredulite.
several maxims tending to destroy royal authority, to establish the spirit of independence and revolt, and, under obscure and equivocal terms, to raise the foundations of error, the corruption of morals, irreligion, and unbelief.
p. 28 — The Biography of a Book
emouvoir les esprits
stir up men's minds
p. 29 — The Business of Enlightenment
Ladite Encyclopedic, etant devenue un dictionnaire complet et un traite general de toutes les sciences, serait bien plus recherchee du public et bien plus souvent consultee, et que par la on repandrait encore davantage et on accrediterait en quelque sorte les pernicieuses maximes dont les volumes deja distribues sont remplis.
The said Encyclopédie, having become a complete dictionary and a general treatise on all the sciences, would be much more sought after by the public and consulted far more often, and that by this means one would spread still further and would in some measure lend credit to the pernicious maxims with which the volumes already distributed are filled.
p. 30 — The Biography of a Book
Recueil de mille planches . . . sur les Sciences, les Arts liberaux et les Arts mecaniques
Collection of a thousand plates . . . on the Sciences, the Liberal Arts, and the Mechanical Arts
p. 30 — The Biography of a Book
Recueil de planches
Collection of plates
p. 30 — The Biography of a Book
atrocite
atrocity
p. 31 — The Business of Enlightenment
revolution conceptuelle
conceptual revolution
p. 31 — The Business of Enlightenment
societe encyclopedique
encyclopedic society [i.e., the group of Encyclopedists as a social formation]
p. 31 — The Business of Enlightenment
formation structuree
structured formation
p. 31 — The Business of Enlightenment
L'esprit encyclopedique se realise librement et pleinement dans la seule societe affranchie du capitalisme et de l'exploitation de l'homme par l'homme, la societe sans classes dont l'Encyclopedie sovietique est le reflet
The encyclopedic spirit is freely and fully realized only in the society freed from capitalism and from the exploitation of man by man, the classless society of which the Soviet Encyclopédie is the reflection.
p. 33 — The Business of Enlightenment
traite de societe
partnership agreement
p. 33 — The Business of Enlightenment
recouvrement
debt collection [recovery of outstanding payments]
p. 33 — The Business of Enlightenment
mauvais debiteurs
bad debtors
p. 33 — The Business of Enlightenment
Histoire et sources de l'Encyclopedie d'apres le registre de deliberations et de comptes des editeurs et un memoire inedit
History and sources of the Encyclopédie according to the register of deliberations and accounts of the publishers and an unpublished memoir
p. 35 — The Business of Enlightenment
refonte
complete revision [recast edition]
p. 35 — The Business of Enlightenment
Acte de Bouillon
Bouillon Agreement [deed of association drawn up at Bouillon]
p. 36 — The Biography of a Book
refonte
complete revision [recast edition]
p. 37 — 4. Arret du Conseil of March 8, 1759
Ils [Felice's contributors] ont l 'avantage de corriger dans leur edition beaucoup de fautes grossieres, qui fourmillent dans l 'Encyclopedie de Paris et que Panckoucke et Dessaint ont eu l 'imprudence de reimprimer. Cette faute capitale les force a donner un supplement, qui rencherit le livre, et on aura l 'edition d 'Yverdon une fois meilleur marche. Pour moi, je sais bien que j 'acheterai I 'edition d 'Yverdon et non l 'autre.
They [Felice's contributors] have the advantage of correcting in their edition many gross errors, which swarm throughout the Encyclopédie of Paris and which Panckoucke and Dessaint were imprudent enough to reprint. This capital blunder forces them to produce a supplement, which raises the price of the book, and one will be able to get the Yverdon edition at a much lower price. For my part, I know well that I will buy the Yverdon edition and not the other.
p. 42 — 4. Arret du Conseil of March 8, 1759
C 'est sur des a vis rei;us de tres bonne part de Paris qu 'il a ete fait mention dans nos avis que Messieurs les libraires de Paris, en demandant un nouveau privilege, s 'etaient engages de retrancher dans cette nouvelle edition tous les articles qui ont pu choquer le gouvernement dans la premiere edition, tout comme nous tenons des avis de tres bonne part que ce nouveau privilege leur est refuse et que Monseigneur le Chancelier et le Parlement s 'opposent a la reimpression de l 'Encyclopedie en France. Tous ceux qui sont instruits des persecutions que les auteurs et les premiers editeurs ont essuyees en France comprendront facilement qu 'un pays de liberte convient seul pour la perfection de cet ouvrage.
It is on the basis of information received from very reliable sources in Paris that mention was made in our notices that the booksellers of Paris, in requesting a new privilege, had committed themselves to removing from this new edition all the articles that might have offended the government in the first edition, just as we hold from very reliable sources that this new privilege has been refused them and that Monseigneur the Chancellor and the Parlement are opposed to the reprinting of the Encyclopédie in France. All those who are informed of the persecutions that the authors and the first editors suffered in France will easily understand that a land of liberty alone is suited for the perfection of this work.
p. 42 — 4. Arret du Conseil of March 8, 1759
Cet ouvrage, qui nous coutera au moins deux cent cinquante mille livres, etait sur le point d'etre annonce au public. La detention de M. Diderot, le seul homme de lettres que nous connaissions capable d 'une aussi vaste entreprise et qui possede seul la clef de toute cette operation, peut entrainer notre ruine.
This work, which will cost us at least two hundred and fifty thousand livres, was on the point of being announced to the public. The detention of M. Diderot, the only man of letters we know capable of so vast an undertaking and who alone holds the key to this entire operation, may bring about our ruin.
p. 42 — 4. Arret du Conseil of March 8, 1759
que le gouvernement permettrait la refonte de l 'ouvrage en supprimant les articles qui avaient pu deplaire.
that the government would permit the recasting of the work by suppressing the articles that might have given offence.
p. 43 — 22. Panckoucke to Rey, Oct. 26, 1770
Il ne faudra point se permettre aucune hardiesse impie qui puisse effrayer les magistrats. Au contraire il faudra que tout l'ouvrage soit ecrit avec beaucoup de sagesse, de moderation, qu 'il puisse meme meriter des encouragements de votre gouvernement ... C 'est ici une affaire d 'argent, de finance, ou tout le monde peut s 'interesser.
One must not permit any impious boldness that might frighten the magistrates. On the contrary, the entire work must be written with great wisdom and moderation, so that it might even merit encouragement from your government … This is here a matter of money, of finance, in which everyone may take an interest.
p. 43 — 22. Panckoucke to Rey, Oct. 26, 1770
ecrire les Supplements avec sagesse et a n 'y rien admettre contre la religion, les bonnes moeurs et le gouvernement, les Supplements ayant pour principal objet la perfeetion des sciences naturelles.
to write the Supplements with wisdom and to admit nothing into them against religion, morality, and the government, the Supplements having as their principal object the advancement of the natural sciences.
p. 46 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
une tolerance tacite, inspiree par l 'interet national
a tacit toleration, inspired by the national interest
p. 46 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
Vous n 'ignorez pas que j 'ai acquis il y a environ 18 mois avec M. Dessaint et un papetier de Paris nomme M. Chauchat taus les droits et cuivres de l 'Encyclopedie.
You are not unaware that I acquired approximately 18 months ago, together with M. Dessaint and a paper merchant from Paris named M. Chauchat, all the rights and copper plates of the Encyclopédie.
p. 46 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
proprietaire des droits et cuivres de l 'ouvrage intitule Dictionnaire encyclopedique.
owner of the rights and copper plates of the work entitled Encyclopedic Dictionary.
p. 46 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
privilege exclusif pour cet ouvrage.
exclusive privilege for this work.
p. 47 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
sous le titre de Recueil de Planches sur les Sciences, Arts et Metiers.
under the title of Collection of Plates on the Sciences, Arts, and Trades.
p. 47 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
Notre aime le Sr. Panckoucke, libraire, Nous a fait exposer qu 'il desirerait faire imprimer et donner au public les ouvrages intitules Recueil des planches sur les sciences, arts et metiers in-folio, Histoire generale des voyages par M. l 'abbe Prevot [that is, Prevost], s 'il Nous plaisait lui accorder nos lettres de privilege pour ce necessaires. A ces causes, voulant favorablement traiter l 'exposant, Nous lui avons permis et permettons par ces presentes de faire imprimer lesdits ouvrages autant de fois que bon lui semblera et de les vendre et debiter partout Notre royaume pendant le temps de douze annees consecutives.
Our beloved Sr. Panckoucke, bookseller, has caused it to be set forth to Us that he would wish to have printed and to give to the public the works entitled Collection of Plates on the Sciences, Arts, and Trades in folio, General History of Voyages by M. the Abbé Prevot [that is, Prevost], if it should please Us to grant him our letters of privilege necessary for this purpose. For these reasons, wishing to treat the petitioner favourably, We have permitted and do permit by these presents that he have the said works printed as many times as shall seem good to him and that he sell and distribute them throughout Our kingdom for the period of twelve consecutive years.
p. 47 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
avec approbation et privilege du roi
with the approbation and privilege of the king
p. 47 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
Recueil de planches sur les sciences, les arts liberaux, et les arts mecaniques, avec leur explication
Collection of plates on the sciences, the liberal arts, and the mechanical arts, with their explanation
p. 47 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
la totalite des droits dans les reimpressions futures et dans la totalite des planches en cuivre.
the totality of the rights in future reprintings and in the totality of the copper plates.
p. 48 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
nous vendons pour toujours aux sieurs Dessaint, Panckoucke et Chauchat tous nos droits dans les reimpressions a faire a l 'avenir dudit ouvrage de l 'Encyclopedie, nos dits droits tels qu 'ils se poursuivent et qu 'ils se comportent, que lesdits sieurs acquereurs ont dit bien connaitre et dont ils sont contents; en consequence de quoi ledit objet est par nous vendu sans aucune garantie.
we sell in perpetuity to Messrs. Dessaint, Panckoucke, and Chauchat all our rights in the reprintings to be made in future of the said work of the Encyclopédie, our said rights as they stand and as they are constituted, which the said purchasing gentlemen have declared to know well and with which they are satisfied; in consequence of which the said object is sold by us without any guarantee.
p. 48 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
Messieurs Cramer et de Tournes n 'entendent s 'interesser que dans I 'edition actuelle de deux mille exemplaires, et ne pretendent aucun droit de propriete perpetuelle sur les droits et cuivres dudit ouvrage.
Messrs. Cramer and de Tournes intend to have an interest only in the current edition of two thousand copies, and lay claim to no right of perpetual ownership over the rights and copper plates of the said work.
p. 48 — 29. STN to Marechal of Metz, Aug. 22, 1779
seul proprietaire
sole proprietor
p. 50 — The Biography of a Book
coute aujourd 'hui jusqu 'a soixante louis [that is, 1,440 livres], quand on peut la trouver, car Jes premiers volumes entr 'autres sont d 'une rarete extreme.
costs today as much as sixty louis [that is, 1,440 livres], when one can find it, for the first volumes in particular are of an extreme rarity.
p. 53 — The Biography of a Book
Je sais de science certaine que les gens de Lausanne et de Berne, qui ne la tiraient d 'abord qu 'a 3,000, la tirent presentement a 5,500, depuis l 'entree en France obtenue.
I know for certain that the people of Lausanne and Bern, who at first were printing only 3,000 copies, are now printing 5,500, since entry into France was obtained.
p. 61 — Genesis of a Speculation
dans la totalite des cuivres, droits, et privileges du Dictionnaire encyclopedique, tant pour le present que pour l 'avenir.
in the totality of the copperplates, rights, and privileges of the Encyclopedic Dictionary, both for the present and for the future.
p. 61 — Genesis of a Speculation
dans quelques annees
in a few years
p. 61 — Genesis of a Speculation
une nouvelle edition corrigee dudit Dictionnaire encyclopedique dans laquelle on fondrait tous les supplements.
a new corrected edition of the said Encyclopedic Dictionary into which all the supplements would be merged.
p. 63 — Genesis of a Speculation
Dictionnaire de la langue franc;aise
Dictionary of the French Language
p. 63 — Genesis of a Speculation
L'Encyclopedie fut un gouffre, ou ces especes de chiffoniers jeterent pele-mele une infinite de choses mal digerees, bonnes, mauvaises, detestables, vraies, fausses, incertaines, et toujours incoherentes et disparates.
The Encyclopédie was a pit into which these kinds of ragpickers threw pell-mell an infinite number of ill-digested things, good, bad, detestable, true, false, uncertain, and always incoherent and incongruous.
p. 64 — Genesis of a Speculation
refonte
recasting [i.e., thoroughgoing revision]
p. 65 — Genesis of a Speculation
J e vous envoie le memoire de Diderot, qui n 'aurait jamais du etre publie. C 'est un a bus de confiance qui y a donne lieu. Luneau a supprime tout ce qui est a l'avantage de l'Encyclopedie, comme de raison, mais la lecture de ce memoire vous convaincra de la necessite de la refonte. Nous y avions pense il y a 8 ans [that is, in 1768], mais Diderot est aussi une mauvaise tete qui nous demandait cent mille ecus et qui nous aurait desespere.
I am sending you Diderot's memorandum, which should never have been published. It was a breach of trust that gave rise to it. Luneau suppressed everything that is to the advantage of the Encyclopédie, as one might expect, but reading this memorandum will convince you of the necessity of the revision. We had thought of it 8 years ago [that is, in 1768], but Diderot is also a hothead who was asking us for a hundred thousand écus and who would have driven us to despair.
p. 66 — Genesis of a Speculation
Allez vous faire f . . . , vous et votre ouvrage, je n 'y veux plus travailler. Yous me donneriez 20,000 louis et je pourrais expedier votre besoin en un clin d'oeil, que je n'en ferais rien. Ayez pour agreable de sortir d 'ici et de me laisser en repos.
Go f* yourself, you and your work; I want nothing more to do with it. Even if you gave me 20,000 louis and I could dispatch your need in the blink of an eye, I would not do it. Be so good as to get out of here and leave me in peace.
p. 66 — Genesis of a Speculation
mauvaise tete
hothead
p. 66 — Genesis of a Speculation
refonte
recast [thoroughgoing revision]
p. 66 — Genesis of a Speculation
Harle [Ostervald's son-in-law, a merchant in Saint-Quentin] vous en
a
aura peut-etre parle [that is, about Panckoucke] et vous aura dit comme moi que Diderot l 'avait assure que c 'etait un homme de mauvaise foi, off rant d 'en fournir la preuve.
Harle [Ostervald's son-in-law, a merchant in Saint-Quentin] will perhaps have spoken to you [about Panckoucke] and will have told you as I did that Diderot had assured him that he was a man of bad faith, offering to furnish proof of it.
p. 67 — Genesis of a Speculation
Dictionnaire de la langue frangaise
Dictionary of the French Language
p. 68 — Genesis of a Speculation
Messieurs,
Quoique ma sante d 'une part et de l 'autre des occupations indispensables ne me permettent pas d 'avoir la meme part qu 'autre
a
fois l 'ouvrage important dont vous me parlez, vous pouvez etre persuades de tout l 'interet que j 'y prends et du desir que j 'ai d 'y
a
concourir autant qu 'il sera en moi, tant cause de l 'utilite de l 'ou
vrage que par les liens d 'estime et d 'amitie qui m 'unissent depuis
a
longtemps M. Suard, mon digne confrere, qui conduira siirement
a a
cette entreprise votre satisfaction et celle du public. Je compte
a
aller Berlin au mois de mai prochain, et je ferai pour vous aupres du roi de Prusse tout ce qui dependra de mon faible credit et des bontes dont ce prince m 'honore. Vons pouvez faire et vous ferez sans doute
a
de cet ouvrage, grace la liberte honnete dont vous jouissez, un des plus beaux monuments de la litterature ancienne et moderne, et je n 'ai d 'autre regret que de ne pouvoir pas mettre a ce bel edifice autant de pierres que je desirerais. Mais je porterai du moins un peu de mortier aux architectes, et je voudrais seulement qu 'il flit meilleur et plus abondant.
J 'ai l 'honneur d'etre avec respect,
Messieurs,
Votre tres humble et tres
obeissant serviteur
d 'Alembert
Gentlemen, Although my health on the one hand and on the other indispensable obligations do not allow me to have the same share as formerly in the important work of which you speak, you may be assured of all the interest I take in it and of my desire to contribute to it as much as will be in my power, both on account of the usefulness of the work and through the bonds of esteem and friendship which have long united me with M. Suard, my worthy colleague, who will surely lead this enterprise to your satisfaction and that of the public. I plan to go to Berlin next May, and I will do for you with the King of Prussia everything that my modest influence and the kindnesses with which that prince honors me will allow. You can make, and you will no doubt make, of this work, thanks to the honest freedom you enjoy, one of the finest monuments of ancient and modern literature, and my only regret is not being able to lay as many stones in this fine edifice as I would wish. But I shall at least carry a little mortar to the architects, and I would only wish that it were better and more abundant. I have the honor to be with respect, Gentlemen, Your most humble and most obedient servant, d'Alembert.
p. 69 — Genesis of a Speculation
Histoire de l 'Encyclopedie
History of the Encyclopédie
p. 69 — Genesis of a Speculation
Memoire envoye a Paris le le. juin 1777
Memorandum sent to Paris on 1 June 1777
p. 69 — Genesis of a Speculation
En rendant nos tres humbles actions de grace
a
Monsieur d 'Alembert du soin qu 'il daigne prendre pour nos interets aupres de S. M. le Roi de Prusse, nous le supplions de nous favoriser de sa puissante recommandation, dans la vue d 'obtenir de S.M. qu 'il lui plaise adresser un rescrit au Conseil d 'Etat de sa Principaute de Neuchatel et Valangin, portant qu'informee qu'il s'est etabli dans la capitale une imprimerie considerable sous le nom de la Societe typographique, Elle la prend sous sa haute protection, pour qu 'elle puisse travailler avec tout le succes possible, lui accordant non seulement la permission d 'imprime1·
a
librement la nouvelle edition de l 'Encyclopedie laquelle on travaille, mais agreant de plus que ce grand ouvrage lui soit dedie.
Il sera convenable que ce rescrit nous soit adresse et envoye directement, afin que nous puissions en faire usage au besoin et le produire seulement dans le cas ou l 'on voudrait nous gener pour ce travail.
While rendering our most humble thanks to Monsieur d'Alembert for the care he deigns to take for our interests with His Majesty the King of Prussia, we beg him to favor us with his powerful recommendation, with a view to obtaining from His Majesty that it may please him to address a rescript to the Council of State of his Principality of Neuchâtel and Valangin, stating that, being informed that a considerable printing house has been established in the capital under the name of the Typographical Society, He takes it under his high protection, so that it may work with all possible success, granting it not only the permission to print freely the new edition of the Encyclopédie on which work is being done, but also agreeing moreover that this great work be dedicated to him. It will be appropriate that this rescript be addressed and sent to us directly, so that we may make use of it if needed and produce it only in the case where one might wish to hinder us in this work.
p. 69 — Genesis of a Speculation
Rappelez-vous aussi que M. d 'Alembert nous avait fait esperer au printemps dernier de nous fournir une histoire de l 'Encyclopedie, morceau neuf
a
et qui produit par une telle plume donnerait un merveilleux relief notre
affairef
Recall also that M. d'Alembert had led us to hope last spring that he would furnish us with a history of the Encyclopédie, a new piece which, produced by such a pen, would give a marvelous boost to our enterprise!
p. 71 — Genesis of a Speculation
Ce ne peut done etre que par le bas prix auquel on etablira cette nouvelle edition
a
qu 'on pourra en faciliter l 'ecoulement en le mettant plus
la portee de chacun.
It can therefore only be through the low price at which this new edition is set that one will be able to facilitate its sale by making it more within the reach of everyone.
p. 72 — Genesis of a Speculation
de l 'ordre et du gout
order and taste
p. 72 — Genesis of a Speculation
pretentions excessives
excessive pretensions [excessive demands]
p. 73 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Voila, Messieurs, en gros mes reflexions sur cette affaire que je soumets absolument a votre decision et VOS lumieres. J'aurai l'honneur de VOUS voir, Messieurs, demain contre les deux heures pour en conferer ensemble ... J'ai l'honneur, Messieurs, de vous souhaiter le bon soir.
There, gentlemen, in broad terms are my reflections on this matter, which I submit entirely to your decision and your judgment. I shall have the honour of seeing you, gentlemen, tomorrow around two o'clock to confer together on it ... I have the honour, gentlemen, of wishing you good evening.
p. 73 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Addition au traite avec M. Panckoucke
Addendum to the agreement with M. Panckoucke
p. 74 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
mais il m'en reste encore et vous sentez que je ne puis pas m'occuper serieusement de notre affaire que ces exemplaires ne soient places. Mais cela doit etre fait incessament.
but I still have some left, and you understand that I cannot seriously attend to our business until these copies are placed. But that must be done without delay.
p. 74 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
autres associes
other associates
p. 74 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Je joins ici l'acte que M. Suard a enfin signe. II exigeait des changements. Je lui ai represente qu'ils entraineraient des longueurs et que nous n'avions deja perdu que trop de temps. Je lui ai fait sentir la necessite de l'article du chomage, la perte immense qu'une suspension, ne filt-elle que d'un mois, entrainerait etc.
I enclose herewith the document that M. Suard has at last signed. He was demanding changes. I pointed out to him that they would cause delays and that we had already lost more than enough time. I made him appreciate the necessity of the clause concerning suspension of work, [and] the immense loss that a stoppage, even of only one month, would entail, etc.
p. 75 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
que vous m'avez retrocede avec tant de peine.
which you transferred back to me with such reluctance.
p. 75 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
M. Rey est d'avis de ne rien annoncer d'ici un an. Trop de precipitation peut gater la plus excellente affaire. Le public pourrait prendre une mediocre confiance dans une entreprise ou l'on met tant de diligence ... On verra que c'est une entreprise de librairie mal conçue. On nous accusera d'avidite. En ne nous pressant pas trop au contraire, nous aurons l'agrement du public, des connaisseurs, et nous ne pourrons manquer de faire une belle et utile entreprise.
M. Rey is of the opinion that nothing should be announced for a year from now. Too much haste can ruin the most excellent business. The public might place little confidence in an enterprise in which so much speed is applied ... People will see that it is a poorly conceived publishing venture. They will accuse us of greed. If, on the contrary, we do not press too hard, we shall have the approval of the public and of connoisseurs, and we cannot fail to create a fine and useful enterprise.
p. 76 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
bureau de travail
work office
p. 76 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
commis intelligent
capable clerk
p. 76 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
mauvais livres
bad books
p. 76 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
livres philosophiques
philosophical books
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
J. M. Bruysset, homme froid et habile
J. M. Bruysset, a cold and able man
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
les freres Perisse, gens d'esprit, se piquant de litterature
the Perisse brothers, men of wit, priding themselves on their literary knowledge
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
jacquenod pere et fils
Jacquenod father and son
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
une simple visite, traiter legerement avec eux; le fils vaut mieux.
a simple visit, deal with them lightly; the son is better.
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Vu le celebre De Los Rios: triste mine . . . n'est guere qu'un bouquiniste ... est, dit-on, charlatan, menteur.
Saw the celebrated De Los Rios: a sorry appearance ... is hardly more than a second-hand bookseller ... is said to be a charlatan and a liar.
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Cizeron: homme age et indolent.
Cizeron: an elderly and indolent man.
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Vu M. Regnault: maitre homme: air assure, volonte ferme; parait avoir le coup d'oeil juste et les idees nettes.
Saw M. Regnault: a masterful man: confident bearing, firm will; appears to have a sound eye and clear ideas.
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Dine au Chateau Perisse en table de 25 couverts. Politesse excessive et qui ne se relache jamais. Ton ceremonieux, meme entre proche parents . . . Perisse Duluc passe avec raison pour homme d'esprit.
Dined at the Château Perisse at a table of 25 covers. Excessive politeness that never lets up. Ceremonious tone, even among close relations ... Perisse Duluc is rightly considered a man of wit.
p. 77 — 7. Panckoucke to STN, from Geneva, June 12, 1775.
Douze imprimeries-les trois quarts ne s'occupent qu'aux contrefaçons . . . Point d'imprimeur qui cherche a bien faire . . . amour de l'argent . . . brigandage.
Twelve printing houses — three-quarters of them concern themselves only with counterfeits ... Not a printer who seeks to do good work ... love of money ... brigandage.
p. 78 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
noble metier de fripons
noble trade of rogues
p. 78 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
Les Reguilliat, Regnault ... de Lyon sont les pestes de la librairie de Paris, d'autant plus dangereux qu'ils sont proteges.
The Reguilliat, Regnault ... of Lyon are the plagues of the Paris book trade, all the more dangerous because they are under protection.
p. 78 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
Nous avons presque use une paire de souliers apres Cellier, lequel est un vrai etourdi, barbouillon et menteur.
We have almost worn out a pair of shoes chasing after Cellier, who is a real scatterbrain, a bungler, and a liar.
p. 78 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
un homme d'une insigne mauvaise foi
a man of notorious bad faith
p. 78 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
Si j'avais a faire choix d'un malhonnete homme, il faudrait le chercher dans la librairie de Lyon. II n'y a ni foi ni pudeur.
If I had to choose a dishonest man, one would have to look for him in the Lyon book trade. There is neither good faith nor decency.
p. 78 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
Nous ne ressemblons point aux Duplain et aux Le Roy, avec [sic] lesquels, quoiqu'amis intimes depuis l'enfance, pour nous etre livres a eux de bonne foi et nous etre fies a leur parole, voudraient nous escroquer un objet de 4000 livres et plus qui nous sont dus.
We are nothing like the Duplains and the Le Roys, with whom, although they have been close friends since childhood, having trusted them in good faith and relied on their word, [they] would cheat us out of a matter of 4,000 livres and more that is owed to us.
p. 79 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
L'Encyclopedie ne passe plus ici. Notre Chambre syndicale a reçu a cet egard des ordres tres precis, mais comme je n'ai point oublie le service que vous m'avez rendu, adressez-moi ceux que vous voulez faire passer et ils passeront.
The Encyclopédie no longer passes through here. Our guild has received very precise orders in this regard, but as I have not forgotten the service you rendered me, send me those [copies] that you want to pass through and they will pass through.
p. 80 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
d'une accusation et d'un proces ou il ne doit pas entrer
from an accusation and a legal proceeding in which he ought not to be involved
p. 80 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
Vous trouverez sous ce pli la requete que vous desirez. Nous souhaitons qu'elle fasse l'effet que vous en attendez, le tout sans notre prejudice, et serons charmes d'avoir souvent occasion de vous prouver notre devouement.
You will find enclosed the petition you requested. We hope it will produce the effect you expect from it, all without prejudice to ourselves, and we shall be delighted to have frequent occasion to prove our devotion to you.
p. 81 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
pretendue nouvelle edition
so-called new edition
p. 81 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
quelques morceaux que leur rarete ou leur idilite rendent precieux
some pieces that their rarity or their usefulness renders precious
p. 81 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
nouveaux editeurs
new publishers
p. 84 — 27. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1779.
Les libraires d'ici font feu et flamme contre les nouveaux reglements. 100 d'entr'eux s'assembleront ici quelques jours a la chambre syndicale et don-
The booksellers here are up in arms against the new regulations. 100 of them will assemble here in a few days at the guild hall and [will give—]
p. 85 — Genesis of a Speculation
neront une requete au Garde des Sceaux. Si elle n 'a pas le succes desire, ils s 'adresseront au Roi. Il s 'agit principalement de la conservation des privileges ... Panckoucke ... n 'etait point l 'assemblee des libraires, qui l 'accusent d'etre l'auteur de tous ces reglements.
[They will submit] a petition to the Keeper of the Seals. If it does not have the desired success, they will address themselves to the King. The matter concerns principally the preservation of privileges ... Panckoucke ... was not at all [in agreement with] the assembly of booksellers, who accuse him of being the author of all these regulations.
p. 85 — Genesis of a Speculation
On parle beaucoup d 'un nouveau reglement, mais j 'ignore encore quand il paraitra. La librairie a besoin d 'une reforme. Les a bus ont produit les exces, qui son tour ont fait tout le mal dont nous sommes temoins.
There is much talk of a new regulation, but I still do not know when it will appear. The book trade needs a reform. The abuses have produced excesses, which in turn have caused all the harm of which we are witnesses.
p. 85 — Genesis of a Speculation
Les arrets font ici beaucoup de sensation. II y a des representations de toutes parts. Les gens de lettres et les libraires paraissent avoir mis leur raison sous leurs pieds. II est impossible de plus mal voir et de plus mal raisonner.
The decrees are causing a great sensation here. There are protests from all sides. Men of letters and booksellers seem to have set their reason beneath their feet. It is impossible to see more poorly or to reason more poorly.
p. 85 — Genesis of a Speculation
les vautours de la librairie, les despotes des chambres syndicales
the vultures of the book trade, the despots of the guild chambers
p. 86 — Genesis of a Speculation
J e viens d 'avoir le brevet du Mercure pour 25 ans avec des advantages que n'avait pas mon predecesseur. J'y ai remis le Journal de politique et les souscriptions de cinq journaux que je supprime. Cette operation me porte a realiser le plan que j 'ai toujours eu de vendre mon fonds, hors L'Histoire naturelle.
I have just obtained the license for the Mercure for 25 years with advantages that my predecessor did not have. I have incorporated into it the Journal de politique and the subscriptions of five journals that I am suppressing. This operation leads me to realize the plan I have always had of selling my stock, except for [the] Histoire naturelle.
p. 86 — Genesis of a Speculation
J e suis chaque annee avec M. Duperron, Directeur de l 'Imprimerie royale, pour 70 a 80 mille livres ... Je vous prie de faire attention que je serais en avance de plus de 80 mille livres a la fin de 1777.
Each year I [owe] M. Duperron, Director of the Royal Printing House, 70 to 80 thousand livres ... I beg you to note that I will be in advance of more than 80 thousand livres by the end of 1777.
p. 86 — Genesis of a Speculation
Mandez-moi, Messieurs, si un fran~ais catholique romain pent acheter chez vous, dans le Comte de Neuchatel et de Valangin, des terres, des biens-fonds. Faites-moi aussi savoir si le roi de Prusse pent lui donner des places, quelles Bont celles qui sont a sa nomination, quelles sont celles qui s 'achetent, celles qui se donnent, s'il ne faut point etre protestant pour les occuper, s'il y en a actuellement quelques unes de vacantes, celles qui exigent residence, s 'il ne suffirait pas d 'y etre quelques mois de l 'annee, etc. J e ne vous cache pas, Messieurs, que je serais assez d 'av is d 'aller m 'etablir avec ma femme et une fille six mois de l 'annee aupres de vous, c 'est a dire la belle saison, et de revenir passer l 'hiver a Paris. Comme M. d 'Alembert compte faire un voyage en Prusse au mois de mai, nous profiterons de ce moment pour notre dedicace, et j 'aurais envie d 'en profiter moi-meme pour me donner dans votre ville un etat qui pourrait donner plus de consistance a nos operations. J 'ai d 'ailleurs ici le projet de vendre tout mon fonds hors L'Histoire naturelle et mon journal. On fait meme actuellement mon inventaire, et cette vente pent etre faite dans un mois, de sorte que si elle avait lieu, je n 'hesiterais point a acheter la petite maison de M. Bosset De Luze, avec quelques dependances. Mais comme nous dependons dans le monde de I 'opinion et qu 'en vendant ici les trois quarts de mon fonds, je ne voudrais point avoir l 'air d 'aller etablir aupres de vous une librairie nouvelle, je voudrais une place honnete, qui motivat cet arrangement. Nous avons eu des libraires dans ce pays-ci qui ont forme des etablissements chez plusieurs souverains, mais tons ont eu des places, qui ont autorise leurs demarches, et je voudrais etre dans le meme cas.
Tell me, gentlemen, whether a Roman Catholic Frenchman can purchase among you, in the County of Neuchâtel and Valangin, lands and real property. Also let me know whether the King of Prussia can grant him positions, which ones are in his gift, which ones are purchased, which ones are granted, whether one need not be Protestant to hold them, whether there are currently any vacancies, which ones require residence, whether it would not suffice to be there for a few months of the year, etc. I will not hide from you, gentlemen, that I would be rather inclined to go and establish myself with my wife and a daughter for six months of the year near you — that is to say during the fine season — and to return to spend the winter in Paris. Since M. d'Alembert plans to make a trip to Prussia in the month of May, we will take advantage of that moment for our dedication [of the Encyclopédie], and I myself would like to take advantage of it to establish for myself in your town a position that could lend more substance to our operations. Besides, I have here the plan of selling my entire stock except for the Histoire naturelle and my journal. My inventory is even being drawn up at present, and this sale could be accomplished within a month, so that if it were to take place, I would not hesitate to buy the small house of M. Bosset De Luze, with some outbuildings. But since we depend in this world on opinion, and since in selling here three-quarters of my stock I would not want to appear to be going to establish a new bookshop near you, I would want a respectable position that would justify this arrangement. We have had booksellers in this country who have formed establishments with several sovereigns, but all of them had positions that authorized their steps, and I would wish to be in the same case.
p. 87 — Genesis of a Speculation
L'avidite du sieur Panckoucke est insatiable: lui seul, s 'il pouvait, il envahirait toute la librairie.
The greed of Sieur Panckoucke is insatiable: he alone, if he could, would take over the entire book trade.
p. 87 — Genesis of a Speculation
L 'offr e de 8 millions pour etre seul imprimeur n 'a pas le sens commun. Le bruit en a aussi couru [ici], et mille autres calomnies. Comme on croit que j 'ai bonne part ces arrets, les libraires sont irrites contre moi. Cela se calmera.
The offer of 8 million to be the sole printer makes no sense at all. The rumor of it has also circulated [here], along with a thousand other slanders. Since people believe that I have a good share in these decrees, the booksellers are irritated with me. That will calm down.
p. 87 — Genesis of a Speculation
Les Rouennais ont fait des remerciements par deputations. II serait a desirer que Lyon et Jes autres grandes villes en fassent d 'autant. Quoiqu 'il en arrive, ces arrets ne font rien a notre affaire.
The people of Rouen have sent delegations to express their thanks. It would be desirable that Lyon and the other large cities do as much. Whatever happens, these decrees have no bearing on our affair [that is, the Encyclopédie].
p. 88 — Genesis of a Speculation
Atlas de la librairie
Atlas of the book trade
p. 89 — Genesis of a Speculation
ecrite avec tant de cordialite, d 'affection, de politesse et de consideration, qu 'elle sort absolument du protocole ordinaire
written with such cordiality, affection, politeness and consideration that it departs entirely from the ordinary protocol
p. 89 — Genesis of a Speculation
Sa voiture le portait chez les ministres a Versailles, ou il etait reQU comme un fonctionnaire ayant portefeuille.
His carriage took him to the ministers at Versailles, where he was received like an official holding a portfolio.
p. 89 — Genesis of a Speculation
On explique cela en disant que M. de Vergennes l 'a 6crite lui-meme, d 'abondance de coeur.
This is explained by saying that M. de Vergennes wrote it himself, from the fullness of his heart.
p. 89 — Genesis of a Speculation
Je sus si bien manier Jes ministres du roi que je Jes ai fait librement circuler dans le royaume
I knew so well how to handle the king's ministers that I had them circulate freely throughout the kingdom
p. 90 — Genesis of a Speculation
Vous n 'ignorez pas que M. Panckoucke, furieusement jaloux de cet article, obtiendra facilement des ministres, avec qui il est bien, les ordres les plus severes pour en arreter le cours; et le libraire de France qui serait Surpris, serait ecrase.
You are well aware that M. Panckoucke, furiously jealous of this item, will easily obtain from the ministers, with whom he is on good terms, the most severe orders to stop its circulation; and the bookseller in France who was caught would be crushed.
p. 90 — Genesis of a Speculation
Je n'Msiterais pas de m'y interesser pour mon industrie, si elles n 'etaient pas dirigees contre M. Panckoucke, qui est le favori de tous les ministres. II a un privilege authentique sur cet ouvrage, et je crois qu 'ii ecraserait de son credit un libraire national qui tremperait dans votre pro jet.
I would not hesitate to take an interest in it for my trade, if [your speculations] were not directed against M. Panckoucke, who is the favorite of all the ministers. He has an authentic privilege on this work, and I believe he would crush with his influence any domestic bookseller who became involved in your project.
p. 90 — Genesis of a Speculation
Panckoucke jette feu et fiammes, rien n 'avance chez le Garde des Sceaux
Panckoucke is breathing fire and flames; nothing is progressing at the Keeper of the Seals' [office]
p. 91 — Genesis of a Speculation
a distribue environ mille louis dans les bureaux des Affaires etrangeres, du Ministre de Paris et de la Police.
[has distributed] about a thousand louis in the offices of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Paris, and the Police.
p. 92 — Genesis of a Speculation
J e ne puis pas encore vous rendre service aupres de M. de Neville, qui protegera notre grande affaire. J e ne dois pas I 'importuner d.e petites demandes ... J e vous servirai mieux dans les choses importantes quand je conserverai aupres des magistrats une bonne reputation que les criailleries de mes confreres ne pourront entamer.
I cannot yet render you a service with M. de Neville, who will protect our great affair. I must not importune him with small requests ... I will serve you better in important matters when I preserve among the magistrates a good reputation that the clamoring of my colleagues will not be able to undermine.
p. 92 — Genesis of a Speculation
Notre grande affaire
Our great affair
p. 92 — Genesis of a Speculation
ce serait me compromettre. On a permis l 'entree directe dans mes magasins de plusieurs balles Encyclopedie. Mes injustes confreres, sachant les liaisons que j 'ai avec votre maison, ont soup~onne qu 'elles pouvaient contenir de vos .tl.rts.
that would compromise me. Permission has been granted for the direct delivery to my warehouses of several bales of Encyclopédie. My unjust colleagues, knowing the connections I have with your firm, have suspected that they might contain some of your [Description des] Arts.
p. 93 — Genesis of a Speculation
C 'est par son canal que je suis instruit de toutes les demarches de Duplain, mais il ne faut pas qu 'il soit compromis.
It is through his channel that I am informed of all of Duplain's proceedings, but he must not be compromised.
p. 94 — Genesis of a Speculation
toutes les provinces
all the provinces
p. 94 — Genesis of a Speculation
tous les droits qu 'il peut transmettre
all the rights that he can convey
p. 94 — Genesis of a Speculation
droits [et] cuivres du Dictionnaire encyclopedique et du privilege du recueil de planches sur les sciences, arts et metiers
rights [and] copper plates of the Encyclopedic Dictionary and the privilege of the collection of plates on sciences, arts and crafts
p. 94 — Genesis of a Speculation
sans addition ni correction
without addition or correction
p. 94 — Genesis of a Speculation
Le sieur Panckoucke, en vertu du brevet qui lui accorde l 'entreprise du Mercure, eleve les plus grandes pretentious. 11 ne se contente pas d 'avoir deja englobe le Journal frani;ais, celui Des dames, celui De politique et de litterature; il voudrait que les autres devinssent encore au moins tributaires du sien a cause de sa primatie.
Sieur Panckoucke, by virtue of the license granting him the enterprise of the Mercure, raises the greatest pretensions. He is not content with having already absorbed the Journal français, that of the Ladies, that of Politics and Literature; he would like the others to become at least tributary to his on account of his primacy.
p. 97
Soyez stirs que tout se placera et que vous ferez une bonne affaire et sure
Be assured that everything will sell and that you will make a good and certain deal
p. 97
Mais il ne f aut pas perdre le temps a tergiverser.
But one must not waste time in dithering.
p. 97
Vous savez, Messieurs, les malheurs que j 'ai eprouves depuis un an. J e me suis trouve pour pres de 300,000 livres de faillites. J e perdrai 100 mille livres avec [illegible name]. Boisserand de Roanne vient de manquer et je m 'y trouve pour une somme considerable. Cependant je n 'ai point suspendu mes paiements, mais j 'ai ete oblige de moderer mes entreprises, et c'est cette position qui m'oblige a vous faire l 'offre de cette table ... J e puis me vanter qu 'ayant fait les entreprises de librairie les plus grandes et les plus hardies, aucune n 'a manque, et que toutes les personnes qui ont travaille avec moi ont beaucoup gagne.
You know, gentlemen, the misfortunes I have suffered over the past year. I have found myself facing nearly 300,000 livres in bankruptcies. I will lose 100,000 livres with [illegible name]. Boisserand de Roanne has just failed and I am involved with him for a considerable sum. Nevertheless I have not suspended my payments, but I have been obliged to moderate my enterprises, and it is this situation which obliges me to make you the offer of this table ... I can boast that having undertaken the largest and most daring publishing ventures, not one has failed, and that all the persons who have worked with me have profited greatly.
p. 97
J 'en ai achete la copie aux associes de l'Encyclopedie 30 mille livres ... Je vous propose de vous vendre cette table, mais je veux doubler mon argent.
I bought the copy from the associates of the Encyclopédie for 30,000 livres ... I propose to sell you this table, but I want to double my money.
p. 99 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Faites nous l 'amitie de vouloir prendre quelques informations particulieres avant notre arrivee de M. Panckoucke, libraire, Hotel de Thou, rue des Poitevins, mais qui soient des gens qui puissent connaitre non seulement sa fortune mais encore ce qui peut regarder sa bonne foi, probite etc. Nous comprenons que cela n 'est pas absolument aise; mais comme ces informations nous importent essentiellement notre arrivee a Paris, nous vous demandons instamment la grace de ne rien negliger pour cela, et surtout qu 'il ne soit point informe, directement ni indirectement de ces informations, ne souhaitant point qu 'il sache notre arrivee a Paris.
Do us the kindness of gathering some particular information before our arrival about M. Panckoucke, bookseller, Hôtel de Thou, rue des Poitevins, but [from] people who can know not only his financial situation but also what may concern his good faith, probity, etc. We understand that this is not absolutely easy; but as this information is essentially important to us upon our arrival in Paris, we urgently beg you to neglect nothing in this matter, and above all that he not be informed, directly or indirectly, of this inquiry, as we do not wish him to know of our arrival in Paris.
p. 99 — The Paris Conference of 1777
J 'ai deux personnes aux informations pour l 'homme dont vous desirez connaitre les facultes, le coeur, etc.
I have two people gathering information about the man whose abilities, character, etc. you wish to know about.
p. 99 — The Paris Conference of 1777
J 'ai communique a vos associes les informations que vous desiriez qu'ils prissent.
I have communicated to your associates the information you wished them to obtain.
p. 99 — The Paris Conference of 1777
D 'abord nous vous dirons que les informations les plus exactes prises sur la solvabilite de l'homme avec qui nous avons traiter se sont reunies en sa faveur. Nous ne pouvons pas douter sur nos propres observations qu 'il ne soit tres entendu, tres actif,
First we will tell you that the most precise information gathered regarding the solvency of the man with whom we have been dealing has come together in his favour. We cannot doubt from our own observations that he is very capable, very active,
p. 100 — The Paris Conference of 1777
bien vu de ses superieurs et jouissant de beaucoup de credit.
well regarded by his superiors and enjoying a great deal of credit.
p. 101 — The Paris Conference of 1777
un hon domestique, intelligent, actif, et sur
a good servant, intelligent, active, and reliable
p. 101 — The Paris Conference of 1777
du prix d 'environ 30 sous, petites mais propres et chez gens surs.
at a price of about 30 sous, small but clean and with reliable people.
p. 101 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Nous irons aujourd 'hui a !'audience de M. de Neville et celle de M. Boucherot et vous quittons pour nous habiller . . . C 'est une vie bien etrange que celle que nous menons.
We will go today to the audience of M. de Neville and that of M. Boucherot and [we] leave you to get dressed ... It is a very strange life that we are leading.
p. 101 — The Paris Conference of 1777
chez M. l 'abbe Fouchet et avec un autre abbe qui l'ont fait trop boire et que par ainsi il n 'a rien de mieux a faire qu 'a aller se coucher.
at M. the abbé Fouchet's [house] and with another abbé who made him drink too much and that therefore he has nothing better to do than to go to bed.
p. 102 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Notre homme [Panckoucke] prend div erses formes, pretend avoir fait un coup de maitre pour lui et nous a Dijon. Nous avons exige qu 'il ecrivit de la maniere la plus pressante a Duplain pour que nous imprimions la moitie de son affaire. La crainte que nous n 'allions Iacher une annonce est un epouvantail pour lui. Nous le lui presenterons au besoin et le menageons cependant, parce que cela est indispensable ... Panckoucke a pris [ses suretes] vis-a-vis de Duplain en se reservant d'expedier les planches gravees d 'ici. Mais nous devons en prendre contre l'un et l'autre, crainte de devenir leurs dupes ... Notre homme est un vrai pro tee. On a meilleure opinion de sa fortune-que du reste il faut le manier avec delicatesse et tenir souvent sa patience a deux mains. Nos conseils sont le fils aine du voisin et l 'abbe G.
Our man [Panckoucke] takes on various forms, claims to have pulled off a masterstroke for himself and for us at Dijon. We demanded that he write in the most pressing manner to Duplain so that we might print half his business. The fear that we might go ahead and release an announcement is a scarecrow for him. We will present it to him if necessary and meanwhile handle him carefully, because that is indispensable ... Panckoucke secured [his guarantees] with respect to Duplain by reserving the right to dispatch the engraved plates from here. But we must take precautions against both of them, for fear of becoming their dupes ... Our man is a true Proteus. One has a better opinion of his fortune — though for the rest one must handle him with delicacy and very often keep one's patience in check. Our advisers are the eldest son of the neighbour and the abbé G.
p. 102 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Capel, libraire a Dijon, n 'est pas plus en etat d 'y faire 150 souscriptions pour cet ouvrage que l 'on ne pourrait en faire dans le plus petit hameau.
Capel, bookseller in Dijon, is no more in a position to obtain 150 subscriptions for this work there than one could in the smallest hamlet.
p. 103 — The Paris Conference of 1777
pose vrai que M. P. a ete trompe ou qu'il a voulu vous tromper, qu'il a en effet le dessin de vendre a deux acheteurs la meme chose.
[assumed] to be true, that M. P. has been deceived or that he wished to deceive you, that he indeed has the design of selling the same thing to two buyers.
p. 103 — The Paris Conference of 1777
diner academique
academic dinner
p. 103 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Attendu Jes di:fficultes qu 'eprouve I 'execution dudit acte, le ministere le regardant comme contraire aux interets des gens de lettres, M. Thomas Le Roy, associe aux Srs. Duplain et Cie., etant de retour a Paris pour lever les difficultes elevees au sujet dudit acte, a charge le Sr. Panckoucke de faire toutes les demarches convenables pour surmonter les obstacles qui se rencontrent en cette occasion: et a cet efl'et il l 'autorise a ofl'rir a qui il appartiendra une somme de cent pistoles par chaque volume de discours, a l 'efl'et d 'obtenir les facilites necessaires pour l 'entree de cette edition en France.
Given the difficulties encountered in the execution of the said act, the ministry regarding it as contrary to the interests of men of letters, M. Thomas Le Roy, associate of Messrs. Duplain and Co., being back in Paris to resolve the difficulties raised with respect to the said act, has charged Sr. Panckoucke to take all appropriate steps to overcome the obstacles encountered on this occasion: and to that end authorizes him to offer to whomever it may concern a sum of one hundred pistoles per each volume of text, in order to obtain the necessary facilities for the entry of this edition into France.
p. 103 — The Paris Conference of 1777
C'est l 'ordre expres que m 'a donne le magistrat [that is, Neville]. Il a meme desire qu 'on allat plus vite.
It is the express order given to me by the magistrate [that is, Neville]. He even wished that one proceed more quickly.
p. 104 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Nous avons vu deux fois M. Suard et verrons aujourd 'hui MM. d 'Alembert et de Condorcet. M. Suard est assez dans nos idees, mais pense toujours que l 'annonce de la refonte et redaction sera en tout temps favorablement accueillie du public. Il a mauvaise opinion de l 'entreprise de Duplain. Notre homme [Panckoucke] soutient toujours que les souscriptions actuelles sont en tres grand nombre et que le hon marche f era ecouler tout de suite cette edition-la.
We have seen M. Suard twice and will see MM. d'Alembert and de Condorcet today. M. Suard is fairly in agreement with our ideas, but still thinks that the announcement of the revision and new editing will at any time be favourably received by the public. He has a poor opinion of Duplain's enterprise. Our man [Panckoucke] still maintains that the current subscriptions are very numerous and that the low price will immediately sell off that edition.
p. 104 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Je vous ai mande dans le temps, et toute la librairie de Lyons en est informee, que Duplain a donnee 40,000 livres pour avoir la permission d 'imprimer l 'Encyclopedie.
I informed you at the time, and the entire book trade of Lyon is aware of it, that Duplain gave 40,000 livres to obtain permission to print the Encyclopédie.
p. 105 — The Paris Conference of 1777
le veritable etat de bonheur quand on sait bien s 'y gouverner
the true state of happiness when one knows how to conduct oneself well in it
p. 105 — The Paris Conference of 1777
Il ne faut point les effaroucher. Donnez-leur a imprimer, et tout ira selon vos desirs ... Ne mettez pas un mot dans cette lettre qui puisse m'empecher de la leur montrer. Ne regardez point encore une fois cette reponse comme indifferente.
One must not frighten them off. Give them [work] to print, and everything will go according to your wishes ... Do not put a single word in this letter that might prevent me from showing it to them. Do not consider this reply, once again, as unimportant.
p. 105 — The Paris Conference of 1777
de qui nous esperons tirer meilleur parti que de son beau frere, homme avantageux, decisif, brusque rneme et impatient ... Le ton que prend notre homme ici est de nier et contredire tout ce qui n 'est pas selon ses idees et son plan.
from whom we hope to get better advantage than from his brother-in-law, a presumptuous, decisive, even brusque and impatient man ... The tone our man takes here is to deny and contradict everything that is not in accordance with his ideas and his plan.
p. 105 — The Paris Conference of 1777
M. Suard blame hauternent son beau frere d'avoir souscrit a un si long renvoi et croit avec raison que le travail de la refonte en souffrira. Il persiste cependant a desirer d 'avoir un interet dans l 'entreprise, et cela repondrait de son assiduite. Panckoucke nous parait embarrasse et pique de ce que nous voyons clairement a quel point il s 'est laisse mene par Duplain.
M. Suard openly blames his brother-in-law for having agreed to such a long postponement and believes with good reason that the work of the revision will suffer from it. He nevertheless persists in wishing to have an interest in the enterprise, and that would guarantee his diligence. Panckoucke seems to us embarrassed and piqued that we see clearly to what extent he has allowed himself to be led by Duplain.
p. 105 — The Paris Conference of 1777
l 'air pens if, un peu embarrasse
a pensive, somewhat embarrassed air
p. 106 — The Basis of a Bonne Affaire
Nous ne pouvons que remercier la Providence de nous avoir envoye d 'aussi bonnes troupes auxiliaires. Il parait que ce libraire, qui est homme de grand [sang froid], fait un pen baisser le verbe a notre homme.
We can only thank Providence for having sent us such good auxiliary troops. It appears that this bookseller, who is a man of great [composure], is making our man lower his voice a little.
p. 106 — The Basis of a Bonne Affaire
Tout ce dont nous pouvons vous assurer, c 'est que calculant d 'ap res toutes les lettres que nous recevons, nous en placerons plus de 4,000; et si vous nous promettiez de nous donner du temps, nous en placerions le double. Nous avons entre nos mains de quoi faire le plus beau coup du monde, mais le projet de la deuxieme edition [that is, the revised edition] et le temps trop borne que vous nous donnez nous empechent d'en profiter. Nos voyageurs [that is, traveling salesmen] r6coltent partout. Il n 'y a pas de village oil il ne trouve [sic] des souscripteurs, pas de petite ville qui ne presente jusques 36 engages. Valence en Dauphine en a fait ce nombre, Grenoble davantage, Montpellier plus de 60, Nimes autant, Dijon nous promet 200. En un
All we can assure you is that, calculating from all the letters we receive, we will place more than 4,000; and if you promised to give us time, we would place twice that number. We have in our hands the means to pull off the finest stroke in the world, but the project of the second edition [that is, the revised edition] and the too limited time you give us prevent us from taking advantage of it. Our travellers [that is, traveling salesmen] are harvesting everywhere. There is no village where [one does] not find subscribers, no small town that does not present up to 36 committed buyers. Valence in Dauphiné has reached that number, Grenoble more, Montpellier more than 60, Nîmes as many, Dijon promises us 200. In a
p. 107 — The Basis of a Bonne Affaire
mot, jamais projet n 'a ete accueilli de cette maniere, et cependant votre <liable lettre de defense avait fait une furieuse impression, mais on revient.
word, never has a project been received in this manner, and yet your wretched letter of prohibition had made a tremendous impression, but people are coming back.
p. 107 — The Basis of a Bonne Affaire
J e ne saurais vous peindre l 'enthousiasme du public pour notre projet. Dans le moment que je vous ecris, je re11ois de Robiquet de Rennes 50 souscriptions, de Catry du Havre 32, d'Aber d'Autun 26 avec assurances d'un cent, d'un avocat d'Aurillac 13. II n'y a pas de courrier qui n'en reunisse des nombres. Je puis vous assurer que nous placerons nos quatre mille et que si nous avions du temps, je ne craindrais pas d 'en tirer six. Au nom de Dieu, mon ami, ne vous inquietez pas davantage et profitons d 'un evenement qui ne se representera jamais. D 'ailleurs vous sentez bien que si I 'Europe allait encore retentir de nouvelles annonces pour une autre edition, le clerge averti formerait des oppositions, le ministre retirerait sa protection, nous ferions la petite guerre, et enfin les uns par rapport aux autres nous echouerions. J e vous invite a faire entendre raison a Messieurs de Neuchatel. Ce sont des gens instruits, et la perspective d 'un benefice immense doit leur faire ouvrir les yeux et leur faire abandonner le projet d'imprimer, ce qui au bout du compte ne peut leur donner qu 'un benefice qui ne convient qu'a des ouvriers par sa modicite. Si au reste ils veulent absolument faire quelques volumes, s 'engager a executer comme moi, ils peuvent se procurer une Philosophie neuve et je leur remettrai quand ils l 'auront trois volumes.
I cannot convey to you the enthusiasm of the public for our project. At the moment I am writing to you, I am receiving from Robiquet of Rennes 50 subscriptions, from Catry of Le Havre 32, from Aber of Autun 26 with assurances of a hundred, from a lawyer in Aurillac 13. There is not a mail delivery that does not gather numbers [of subscriptions]. I can assure you that we will place our four thousand and that if we had time, I would not fear drawing six [thousand]. For God's sake, my friend, do not worry any further and let us profit from an event that will never come again. Besides, you well understand that if Europe were to resound again with new announcements for another edition, the forewarned clergy would form oppositions, the minister would withdraw his protection, we would wage petty warfare, and in the end relative to one another we would fail. I invite you to make Messieurs of Neuchâtel see reason. They are educated people, and the prospect of an immense profit ought to open their eyes and make them abandon the project of printing, which in the final account can give them only a profit that befits mere workmen by its smallness. If moreover they absolutely insist on printing a few volumes, [and] commit to execute [them] as I do, they can obtain a new Philosophie and I will hand over to them when they have it three volumes.
p. 108 — The Basis of a Bonne Affaire
Enfin nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncer, Messieurs, que la grande affaire qui nous occupe desagreablement depuis si longtemps est terminee et, ce nous semble, avec autant d 'av antage que possible. L 'affaire de Duplain reussit etonnamment.
At last we have the pleasure of announcing to you, gentlemen, that the great affair which has been disagreeable occupying us for so long is concluded and, it seems to us, with as much advantage as possible. Duplain's affair is succeeding astonishingly.
Genesis of a Speculation
p. 55
L 'Encyclopedic, traversee en France dans son origine, encore aujourd 'hui arretee par les memes obstacles, ne pourra peut-etre jamais etre publiee dans le royaume avec la liberte necessaire. Le public, avide de connaitre les sentiments des divers savants de l 'Europe, attend avec impatience que cet ouvrage destine a instruire les hommes soit imprime sans aucune gene ... Il reste un moyen infaillible d 'eviter les oppositions que l 'on a lieu de craindre dans le royaume et de procurer a l 'ouvrage toute la superiorite qu 'il peut avoir. La Societe Typographique nouvellement etablie a Neuchatel en Suisse et dirigee par un certain nombre de gens de lettres, offre de se charger de l 'impression pour le compte de Messieurs les libraires de Paris. Contente pour cette fois d 'un profit tres modique pour l 'impression, la Societe, qui desire de donner quelque celebrite a son debut, s'engagera a abandonner toute l'edition et n'en faire aucune offre, ni en Angleterre, ni en Hollande, ni en Allemagne, ni en Italie en un mot n'en tirer que le nombre d'exemplaires convenu. On sait que le Comte de Neuchatel est un des pays les plus libres de la Suisse, en sorte qu 'il n 'y aurait aucun obstacle a redouter de la part du gouvernement et du magistrat.
The Encyclopédie, obstructed in France from its very origin, and still today held back by the same obstacles, may perhaps never be published in the kingdom with the necessary freedom. The public, eager to know the opinions of the various scholars of Europe, awaits with impatience that this work destined to instruct mankind be printed without any constraint... There remains an infallible means of avoiding the opposition that one has reason to fear in the kingdom and of securing for the work all the superiority it can have. The Typographical Society newly established at Neuchâtel in Switzerland and directed by a certain number of men of letters offers to take charge of the printing on behalf of the gentlemen booksellers of Paris. Content on this occasion with a very modest profit for the printing, the Society, which desires to give some renown to its debut, will undertake to relinquish the entire edition and make no offer of it either in England, or in Holland, or in Germany, or in Italy — in a word to print only the agreed number of copies. It is known that the County of Neuchâtel is one of the freest territories in Switzerland, so that there would be no obstacle to fear on the part of the government and the magistracy.
p. 58 — The Neuchatel Reprint Plan
nous savons que !'interdiction lancee contre la premiere edition de l 'Encyclopedie en France n 'a pu etre levee par les libraires qui viennent d 'en annoncer une seconde. Nous leur offrons nos presses dans le memoire que vous trouverez ici et que nous vous prions de vouloir bien communiquer a M. Panckoucke.
we know that the ban issued against the first edition of the Encyclopédie in France could not be lifted by the booksellers who have just announced a second edition. We offer them our presses in the memorandum you will find here and which we beg you kindly to communicate to M. Panckoucke.
p. 58 — The Neuchatel Reprint Plan
Voici le secret de l 'a:ffaire que je n 'ai decouvert que hier et avec toute la peine imaginable. N 'ayant pu obtenir la permission pour Paris, ils se sont accommodes de I 'edition d 'Hollande qu'on a commence y imprimer, et tous les beaux arrangements faits ici ne serviront que pour les supplements a celle de Paris . . . Malgre la permission que les libraires interesses ont actuellement de faire venir les volumes d 'Hollande, jugez de toutes les revolutions auxquelles cet ouvrage est encore sujet d 'ici deux ans, epoque pour laquelle il doit etre pret.
Here is the secret of the affair, which I only discovered yesterday and with all imaginable difficulty. Having been unable to obtain permission for Paris, they have made do with the Holland edition which has begun to be printed there, and all the fine arrangements made here will serve only for the supplements to the Paris edition... Despite the permission that the interested booksellers currently have to bring in the volumes from Holland, consider all the upheavals to which this work is still subject between now and two years hence, the date by which it must be ready.
p. 59
S'il se rend votre invitation, faites-lui boire du meilleur, c 'est a dire de deux niches tout a fait gauche du fond de ma cave.
If he accepts your invitation, give him the best to drink, that is to say [the wine] from the two niches at the far left at the back of my cellar.
p. 59
charme d'etre instruit de l 'affaire que vous avez en vue.
delighted to be informed of the matter you have in mind.
p. 109
cette affaire est devenue la notre
this affair has become our own
p. 110
Il y aurait 100,000 livres de benefice [for their 5/24th] ... C 'est un profit certain.
There would be 100,000 livres of profit [for their 5/24th share] ... It is a certain profit.
Juggling Editions
p. 111 — The "Second Edition"
grande aff aire
great affair
p. 111 — The "Second Edition"
Tout ce que je sais tres certainement par le rapport de nombre de libraires de province, c 'est que I 'edition a un prodigieux succes et qu 'il faut nous y livrer tout entier, parce
All that I know most certainly from the reports of a number of provincial booksellers is that the edition has a prodigious success and that we must devote ourselves to it entirely, because
p. 112 — The "Second Edition"
qu 'un benefice tout venu vaut mieux qu 'un benefice incertain. Il est certain que si cette edition est bien executee, qu 'on en peut vendre 10 mille.
a profit that has already come in is worth more than an uncertain profit. It is certain that if this edition is well executed, one can sell 10,000 of them.
p. 112 — The "Second Edition"
Le succes de cet ouvrage m 'etonne de plus en plus.
The success of this work astonishes me more and more.
p. 112 — The "Second Edition"
nouvelle edition ... Geneve chez Pellet
new edition ... Geneva, [published] by Pellet
p. 112 — The "Second Edition"
troisieme edition ... Geneve, chez Jean-Leonard Pellet, Imprimeur de la Republique, N eufchatel chez la Societe Typographique.
third edition ... Geneva, [published] by Jean-Léonard Pellet, Printer to the Republic, Neuchâtel [published] by the Typographical Society.
p. 113 — The "Second Edition"
rames, mains, and f euilles
reams, quires, and sheets
p. 113 — The "Second Edition"
Nous nous sommes determines a tirer trois rames dix mains de plus. Vous voudrez bien en consequence, Messieurs, tirer sur chaque feuille que dorena vant vous mettrez sous presse en tout douze rames et six mains, et lorsque vous aurez fini votre volume, vous reimprimerez s.v.p. tout ce qui est fait et tirerez trois rames dix mains seulement.
We have decided to print three reams and ten quires more. You will therefore be good enough, gentlemen, to print on each sheet that you henceforth put to press a total of twelve reams and six quires, and when you have finished your volume, you will please reprint everything that has been done and print three reams and ten quires only.
p. 114 — The "Second Edition"
Il est certain que le succes de cette edition in quarto passe toute croyance.
It is certain that the success of this quarto edition surpasses all belief.
p. 114 — The "Second Edition"
J e veux par moi-meme m 'assurer de la verite,
I want to assure myself of the truth by my own [observation],
p. 114 — The "Second Edition"
Et comme je pars lundi pour Lyon, je verrai alors tout par moi-meme, et je ne ferai rien que pour le bien commun. J e pense, Messieurs, que vous vous en rapporterez dans tout ceci l 'habitude que j 'ai de traiter les grandes affaires.
And as I am leaving on Monday for Lyon, I will then see everything for myself, and I will do nothing except for the common good. I think, gentlemen, that in all this you will defer to the experience I have in handling major affairs.
p. 114 — The "Second Edition"
On doit esperer d 'en placer Paris au moins 1,000. Le debit meme, s'il repond aux provinces, peut en etre le double. Duplain m 'a eerit pour une augmentation de tirage que nous n 'aurions pas le droit d 'empecher, quand bien meme nous n 'aurions pas Jes raisons de le vouloir. Ainsi que Jui, je suis bien sur que l 'on placera ces 6,000 exemplaires, et cette assurance doit vous eonvaincre, Messieurs, que je vous ai engage dans une excellente affaire, puisqu 'a ce nombre nous devons doubler nos fonds et au-deli.
One may hope to place at least 1,000 in Paris. The sales there, if they match the provinces, could be double that. Duplain has written to me for an increase in the pressrun that we would not have the right to prevent, even if we did not have reasons to want it. Like him, I am quite sure that these 6,000 copies will be placed, and this assurance should convince you, gentlemen, that I have engaged you in an excellent affair, since at that number we should double our funds and more.
p. 115 — The "Second Edition"
redacteur
editor [or copy editor]
p. 116 — The "Second Edition"
cachetee avec de la cire et sous double enveloppe
sealed with wax and under double envelope
p. 116 — The "Second Edition"
de nouveaux aides
new assistants
p. 116 — The "Second Edition"
Copie de traite pour la Table analytique entre M. Duplain et M. Panckoucke
Copy of the contract for the Analytical Table between M. Duplain and M. Panckoucke
p. 117 — The "Second Edition"
J 'ai eu beaucoup de peine a obtenir une remise de trois livres sur I 'impression. J e me suis assure que I 'augmentation sur le pap ier etait necessaire. IIs n 'emploient que de l 'Auvergne du poids de 20 a 22 livres. Ils n 'y gagnent pas, et je crains bien qu'ils ne se trouvent dans l'embarras cet hiver. L'abbe de La serre etait paye comme un croucheteur. II avait des titres pour obtenir sa demande ... J 'ai bien vu qu 'on m 'en avait impose a Dijon, mais tout cela n 'est plus un mal, puisque le succes passe nos esperances. J 'ai vu les presses Genevoises. Tout m 'a paru bien monte et en bon train. Le nombre de 4,407 est bien reel. Un seul relieur de Toulouse en a fait 200. Les souscriptions viennent tous les jours. J e suis temoin qu 'on en a fait 150 en 8 jours. II ne peut point y avoir de rentrees avant la fin de 1778, puisqu'on est oblige a des achats immenses de pap ier qu 'il faut payer d 'avance. Au reste, on donnera le compte a tous les six mois. Duplain a Lyon des associes intelligents qui ont mis plus de 400,000 livres dans son commerce et qui mettent le plus grand ordre dans cette affaire. Les registres sont bien tenus, et il est impossible d 'en imposer . . . Enfin, cette affaire, si le gouvernement ne la croise pas, offre les plus grandes esperances ... La faveur du public est sans exemple.
I had great difficulty obtaining a reduction of three livres on the printing. I have assured myself that the increase on the paper was necessary. They use only Auvergne [paper] weighing 20 to 22 livres. They do not profit from it, and I fear they will find themselves in difficulty this winter. The abbé de Laserre was paid like a porter. He had grounds to obtain his request ... I clearly saw that I had been deceived at Dijon, but all that is no longer a problem, since the success surpasses our expectations. I saw the Genevan presses. Everything seemed well set up and in good order. The number of 4,407 is quite real. A single bookbinder in Toulouse has accounted for 200. The subscriptions come in every day. I am witness that 150 were made in 8 days. There can be no returns before the end of 1778, since one is obliged to make immense purchases of paper that must be paid for in advance. As for the rest, accounts will be given every six months. Duplain has in Lyon intelligent associates who have put more than 400,000 livres into his business and who bring the greatest order to this affair. The registers are well kept, and it is impossible to deceive [anyone] ... In short, this affair, if the government does not cross it, offers the greatest hopes ... The public's favour is without example.
p. 118 — The Origins of the "Third Edition"
C'est un succes incroyable
It is an incredible success
p. 118 — The Origins of the "Third Edition"
Les deux premieres editions de l 'Encyclopedie in-quarto, annoncees chez Pellet a Geneve, se sont ecoulees avec une rapidite qui prouve que le public a goute le projet de cette impression et qu 'il est content de la maniere dont il est execute. Les editeurs, flattes d 'un accueil qui a surpasse leurs esperances, proposent une troisieme souscription aux memes conditions que les precedentes. Au moyen d 'un plus grand nombre de presses qu 'on fera monter, ceux qui voudront souscrire auront l 'ouvrage complet en meme temps que les premiers souscrip teurs ... La souscription est ouverte jusques au premier mars, et la premiere livraison se fera en mai 1778. On peut souscrire chez les principaux libraires de chaque ville.
The first two editions of the quarto Encyclopédie, announced by Pellet in Geneva, have sold out with a rapidity that proves that the public has taken to the project of this printing and is satisfied with the manner in which it is being executed. The publishers, gratified by a reception that has surpassed their hopes, propose a third subscription on the same terms as the preceding ones. By means of a greater number of presses that will be set up, those who wish to subscribe will have the complete work at the same time as the first subscribers ... The subscription is open until the first of March, and the first delivery will be made in May 1778. One may subscribe at the principal booksellers in each city.
p. 119 — The Origins of the "Third Edition"
une chose fort extraordinaire
a very extraordinary thing
p. 119 — The Origins of the "Third Edition"
Nous voyons clairement que plus l 'entreprise prospere et plus il est jaloux de la part que nous y avons,
We clearly see that the more the enterprise prospers, the more he is jealous of the share we have in it,
p. 119 — The Origins of the "Third Edition"
connaissant combien vous etes expert en ces sortes d 'affa ires,
knowing how expert you are in these sorts of affairs,
p. 120 — Imbroglios
Nous mon tons douze presses qui seront uniquement employees a cette edition ... Nous avons pres de 500 souscripteurs sur 1500 que nous tirons. Nous ne ferons point augmenter le nombre de l 'autre edition. On recomposera jusqu 'a la fin.
We are setting up twelve presses that will be exclusively employed for this edition ... We have nearly 500 subscribers out of the 1,500 that we are printing. We will not increase the number of the other edition. [The type] will be recomposed through to the end.
p. 134 — Opening Gambits of the Final Negotiations
privilege, droits et totalite des cuivres
privilege, rights, and entirety of the copper [plates]
p. 134 — Opening Gambits of the Final Negotiations
il ne faut pas chicaner
one must not quibble
p. 135 — Opening Gambits of the Final Negotiations
Le prix de 38 livres pour 3 rames 16 mains est conforme a I'Acte de Dijon-30 livres le premier mil, 8 livres le deuxieme. II n 'y a que 4 mains de difference ... Dix livres le papier; ii est tres recherche, et ils ne gagnent pas cinq sols a ce prix.
The price of 38 livres for 3 reams 16 quires is in conformity with the Dijon Agreement—30 livres for the first thousand [copies], 8 livres for the second. There is only a difference of 4 quires … Ten livres [per ream for] the paper; it is much in demand, and they do not make five sous at that price.
p. 135 — Opening Gambits of the Final Negotiations
feuille d 'edition
sheet of [printed] text
p. 136 — Opening Gambits of the Final Negotiations
Et moi C. Panckoucke consens ... qu'ils [Joseph Duplain & Compagnie] en feront faire l 'impression a Geneve et dans les diff erentes villes de la Suisse a leur choix; et dans les cas OU ils imprimeraient quelques volumes en France, ils seront expedies a Geneve pour y etre mis dans un magasin commun; dans le cas ou ils s 'y refusassent, les risques en saisie du gouvernement seraient pour leur compte, comme dans nos conventions premieres, la charge par nous d 'acquitter les frais; qu 'il leur sera rembourse les frais qu 'ils feront hors ceux compris dans les frais d 'impression, comme sechage et etendage seulement, les autres debourses, comme commis, magasin, ports de lettres et tous autres relatifs, leur seront rembourses.
And I, C. Panckoucke, consent … that they [Joseph Duplain & Company] shall have the printing done in Geneva and in the various towns of Switzerland of their choosing; and in cases where they print some volumes in France, these shall be dispatched to Geneva to be placed in a common warehouse; in cases where they refuse to do so, the risks of seizure by the government shall be at their account, as in our previous agreements, [with] the obligation on our part to pay the costs; that they shall be reimbursed for expenses they incur beyond those included in the printing costs, such as drying and hanging [of sheets] only, [while] other outlays, such as clerks, warehousing, postage, and all other related [expenses], shall be reimbursed to them.
p. 137 — Opening Gambits of the Final Negotiations
Vous savez les pretentions excessives de Duplain sur ces frais de magasin, commis. II faut bien prendre garde de nous laisser entamer a ce sujet. Ecrivez moi de la maniere la plus f erme la-dessus, et j 'enverrai cette partie de votre lettre a Lyon.
You know Duplain's excessive claims regarding these warehousing and clerical costs. We must take great care not to let ourselves be drawn into [concessions on] this matter. Write to me in the firmest possible manner on this point, and I will send that part of your letter to Lyon.
p. 137 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
lettres ostensibles
ostensible letters [i.e., letters intended to be shown to a third party]
p. 137 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
ce corps redoutable qui commern;ait a gronder
that formidable body [the clergy] which was beginning to grumble
p. 138 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
droit d 'assurance
insurance fee [literally: right of insurance]
p. 138 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
Comme je ne suis pas . . . d 'humeur . . . faire la guerre a mes depenses et que toutes ces lenteurs me font bouillir le sang, je te previens que si dans neuf jours je ne re~ois pas le traite signe, je me mets sur le champ en justice. Il est ridicule qu 'ap res les peines que je me donne, les succes merveilleux que je procure, on me conteste une chose juste et que certainement les tribunaux ne me refuseront pas.
As I am not … of a mind … to wage war at my own expense, and as all these delays make my blood boil, I warn you that if within nine days I do not receive the signed agreement, I shall immediately resort to legal action. It is ridiculous that after the pains I take [and] the marvellous successes I bring about, anyone should contest a just claim that the courts will certainly not refuse me.
p. 138 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
de maniere a nous garantir de toute tracasserie
in a manner that would protect us from any harassment
p. 138 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
pour notre commune surete
for our common security
p. 139 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
Nous vous envoyons par ce courrier, suivant nos conventions verbales, une lettre ostensible pour M. Duplain pour en faire usage suivant votre prudence ordinaire, et vous prions de nous informer du suivi, en meme temps que vous pourrez nous dire quelque chose positif sur les oeuvres de Voltaire, continuant toujours a nous occuper de celles de J. Jacques.
We are sending you by this post, in accordance with our verbal agreements, an ostensible letter for M. Duplain to make use of according to your customary prudence, and we beg you to keep us informed of how matters proceed, at the same time as you may be able to tell us something definite about the works of Voltaire, as we continue to busy ourselves with those of J. Jacques [Rousseau].
p. 140 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
Nous devons rendre justice avec vous l'habilete et l'intelligence avec laquelle M. Duplain a traite cette affaire la des son commencement. Nous avons nous-memes ete temoins de toutes les peines qu 'il s 'est donnees a Lyon pour les livraisons ; et s 'il a un benefice comme imprimeur qui ne laisse pas d'etre considerable sur la. quantite, il lui est bien acquis. Mais nous voyons, Monsieur, trop d'inconvenients a nous ecarter du Traite fait a Dijon pour les frais a allouer M. Duplain; nous avons trop d 'envie en notre particulier de nous conserver son amitie et nos relations avec lui, pour ne pas devoir ecarter tout ce qui pourrait donner matiere a discussions tels que les frais de voyage, magasinage etc.
We must, along with you, do justice to the skill and intelligence with which M. Duplain has managed this affair from the very beginning. We have ourselves been witnesses to all the trouble he has taken in Lyon for the deliveries; and if he makes a profit as a printer that is not inconsiderable given the quantity [involved], it is well earned. But we see, Monsieur, too many drawbacks in our departing from the Agreement made at Dijon regarding the costs to be allocated to M. Duplain; we have too great a desire, for our own part, to preserve his friendship and our relations with him, not to be obliged to set aside anything that might give rise to disputes such as travel expenses, warehousing costs, etc.
p. 141 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
pretentions peu f ondees
ill-founded pretensions [claims]
p. 141 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
la somme considerable que nous vous avons payee pour ces cuivres, privileges etc.
the considerable sum that we paid you for those copper [plates], privileges, etc.
p. 141 — Duel by Lettre Ostensible
cette entreprise, qui est en effet la plus belle qui ait ete faite en librairie
this enterprise, which is indeed the finest that has ever been undertaken in the book trade
p. 142 — The Last Turn of the Screw
Nous sommes en difficulte avec M. Panckoucke pour nos frais. Des que cela sera termine, nous vous enverrons un volume.
We are in dispute with M. Panckoucke over our costs. As soon as that is settled, we will send you a volume.
p. 142 — The Last Turn of the Screw
quant au nouveau volume promis, nous attendons la reponse de M. Panckoucke sur un obj et qu 'il nous conteste, quoique promis, et duquel nous ne nous departerons point.
as for the new volume promised, we are awaiting M. Panckoucke's response on a matter he disputes with us, although it was promised, and from which we will not depart.
p. 142 — The Last Turn of the Screw
En verite, Monsieur, de tels procedes multiplies nous deviennent tres desagreables. Nous en sent ons d 'autant plus la necessite de regler compte avec cet associe-la et aspirons a l 'epoque convenue entre nous pour travailler a cette importante operation.
In truth, Monsieur, such repeated proceedings are becoming very disagreeable to us. We feel all the more the necessity of settling accounts with that associate and look forward to the time agreed upon between us to work on this important matter.
p. 143 — The Last Turn of the Screw
Vo us concevez, Monsieur, dans quel embarras son opiniatrete doit necessairement nous jeter ... Tout cela en verite est tres desagreable, et nous vous prions instamment d 'aviser au moyen d 'y mettre fin le plutot qu 'il sera possible.
You can understand, Monsieur, what embarrassment his obstinacy must necessarily throw us into … All of this is truly very disagreeable, and we urge you earnestly to consider ways of putting an end to it as soon as possible.
p. 143 — The Last Turn of the Screw
U ne conduite si deraisonnable demasque ses vues. Elles ne peuvent tendre qu 'a extorquer notre acquiescement a ses pretentions, et vous saurez comme nous apprecier ce plan-la . . . Tout cela nous porte a conclure qu 'il serait fort bien a souhaiter pour le bien de la chose que l 'assemblee des interesses a Lyon . . . put etre anticipee et avoir lieu le plutot possible.
Such unreasonable conduct unmasks his intentions. They can only aim at extorting our acquiescence to his claims, and you will know as well as we do how to assess that plan … All of this leads us to conclude that it would be very desirable, for the good of the enterprise, that the meeting of the interested parties in Lyon … could be brought forward and take place as soon as possible.
p. 144 — The Last Turn of the Screw
devant tons les tribunaux du monde
before every court in the world
p. 144 — The Last Turn of the Screw
Ce volume fini, nous aurons 20 ouvriers sur les bras qu'il faudra renvoyer ou occuper a d 'autres objets, toujours avec une grande perte pour nous, mo ins que vous n 'ayez l 'honnetete de nous expedier' lettre vue, un fragment assez fort de copie,
This volume finished, we will have 20 workers on our hands whom we shall have to dismiss or occupy with other tasks, always at a great loss to us, unless you have the decency to send us, by return of letter, a sufficiently substantial portion of copy,
p. 144 — The Last Turn of the Screw
Nous l 'avons sollicite a vous accommoder. Nous ne faisons aucun doute qu 'il ne s 'y prete et que vous ne consentiez de votre cote a prendre des arrangements propres a prevoir entre nous toute sorte de difficultes. Vons sentez comme nous que cet ecueil serait aussi funeste qu 'une contref ac;on ou autre malencontre typographique.
We have urged him to accommodate you. We have no doubt that he will comply and that you on your side will consent to making arrangements designed to forestall every kind of difficulty among us. You feel as we do that this stumbling block would be as ruinous as a pirated edition or any other typographical mishap.
p. 144 — The Contract
Nous attendons que M. Panckoucke ait fini le traite nouveau a signer pour vous envoyer un nouveau volume, et ii attend, dit-il, votre ratification. Cela ne nous regarde pas. Tout ce que nous pouvons dire a M. Panckoucke, c 'est que nos frais sont immenses et que nous n 'aurions jamais pense qu 'ils fussent si considerables. Si tot done que nous saurons que M. Panckoucke a consenti, le nouveau volume partira.
We are waiting for M. Panckoucke to have finished the new agreement to sign before sending you a new volume, and he is waiting, he says, for your ratification. That is not our concern. All we can tell M. Panckoucke is that our costs are immense and that we would never have thought they would be so considerable. As soon as we know that M. Panckoucke has agreed, the new volume will depart.
p. 146
Au cas que vous eussiez encore cette copie si ardemment postulee et si bravement defendue [that is, in case he had not sent it already], veuillez le faire partir sans delai et par la route la plus courte . . . Au reste, nous sommes remplis de confiance dans vos habiletes. Un pilote aussi actif et aussi experimente doit infailliblement conduire la barque au port.
In case you still have this copy so ardently requested and so bravely defended, please send it off without delay and by the shortest route... For the rest, we are full of confidence in your abilities. A pilot as active and as experienced as yourself must infallibly bring the vessel to port.
p. 146
la longue contestation
the long dispute
Appendix A. VII-VIII.) It merely bound the Neuchatelois to
p. 121
Cette petite observation [a report from Lyons that Duplain was printing some volumes at 8,000] et d'autres que l'on pourrait [faire], nous vous le disons dans la confidence de l 'amitie, n 'inspirent pas une confiance entiere et exigent de votre part comme de la notre une attention bien entretenue.
This small observation [a report from Lyons that Duplain was printing some volumes at 8,000] and others that one might [make], we tell you this in the confidence of friendship, do not inspire complete trust and require on your part as on ours a carefully sustained vigilance.
p. 121
Vous avez sagemment repondu aux pretentious de Duplain. Votre offre nous parait equitable et son calcul enfte toujours I 'extreme. II faut convenir qu 'il est charge d 'un rude detail, mais 16,000 livres font un dedommagement honnete pour quelqu 'un qui d 'ailleurs partage les benefices. Nous vous abandonnons confidemment la suite de cette negociation.
You have wisely responded to Duplain's pretensions. Your offer seems equitable to us and his calculation tends always to the extreme. One must admit that he is burdened with a heavy workload, but 16,000 livres make an honest compensation for someone who moreover shares in the profits. We confidently leave the continuation of this negotiation to you.
p. 121
de vous informer sous main combien d 'exemplaires Duplain et compagnie font tirer l 'Encyclopedie.
to find out discreetly how many copies Duplain and company are having printed of the Encyclopédie.
p. 122 — Juggling Editions
Nous avons su adroitement par deux personnes differentes, qui sont bien instruites, que la nouvelle edition de l 'Encyclopedie in-quarto sera de 1500.
We cleverly found out from two different people, who are well informed, that the new quarto edition of the Encyclopédie will be 1,500 [copies].
p. 124 — Juggling Editions
Vous faites mal un volume et M. Panckoucke ecrit a tous nos souscripteurs qu 'il faut que nous accordions plus de terme. En un mot, nous travaillons jour et nuit pour la reussite de l 'affaire, et il semble, Messieurs, que vous f assiez tout ce que vous pouvez pour la detruire. Lorsque nous aurons amoncele par des credits des dettes en province, qui nous payera T La majeure partie n 'en vaut rien. Voila ou conduisent les discours de M. Panckoucke. Nous vous dirons en passant que nous avons plus de 50,000 ecus dehors et que cela a de quoi effrayer et faire de terribles reflexions. J oignez a cela un travail affreux et continue!, et voyez comment vous auriez envisage un <liable de volume qui en verite est affreux, quoique vous en disiez.
You produce a volume badly and M. Panckoucke writes to all our subscribers that we must grant more time. In a word, we work day and night for the success of the enterprise, and it seems, gentlemen, that you do everything you can to destroy it. When we have accumulated debts in the provinces through extensions of credit, who will pay us? The greater part are worthless. That is where M. Panckoucke's talk leads. We will mention in passing that we have more than 50,000 écus outstanding and that this is enough to frighten one and give rise to terrible reflections. Add to that a dreadful and unceasing workload, and consider how you would have regarded a damnable volume which is in truth dreadful, whatever you may say about it.
p. 125
terribles reflexions
terrible reflections
p. 126 — Juggling Editions
La troisieme edition est commencee, et nous l 'avons donnee exclusivement a deux imprimeurs qui ont monte 18 presses, se sont engages a trois epreuves de chaque f euille, et nous voulons faire une belle edition afin que s 'il reste quelques exemplaires, ils ne soient pas a charge. On tire trois rames dix mains (that is, 1,750 copies).
The third edition has begun, and we have given it exclusively to two printers who have set up 18 presses, have committed to three proofs of each sheet, and we want to produce a fine edition so that if any copies remain, they will not be a burden. [The print run is] three reams ten quires (that is, 1,750 copies).
p. 126 — Juggling Editions
il doit lui avoir passe de fortes sommes par les mains.
large sums must have passed through his hands.
p. 127 — Juggling Editions
Nous avons bien eu l 'honneur de vous observer que I 'argent est ici d 'une rarete affreuse, que nos libraires demandent du temps, et qu 'enfin nous ne pouvons pas en faire sortir des pierres.
We have indeed had the honor of pointing out to you that money is dreadfully scarce here, that our booksellers are asking for time, and that in the end we cannot make it come out of stones.
p. 127 — Juggling Editions
Le train a que nous menons l 'ouvrage exige une mise dehors laquelle nous ne comptions point.
The pace at which we are driving the work requires an outlay of funds that we had not reckoned on.
p. 128 — The Neuchatel Imprint
Voir M. Duplain et tacher de savoir, mais sans temoigner trop de curiosite, a quoi on en est pour l 'impression des volumes de l 'Encyclopedie quarto, combien de presses y travaillent a Lyon OU ailleurs; si l 'on a commence la troisieme edition, combien on la tire . . .
Vous ecouterez attentivement tout ce que M. J. D. [Joseph Duplain] pourra vous dire touchant notre Encyclopedic, et vous eviterez de faire aucune ouverture . . .
Vous parlerez a J.D. du desir que nous avons d'imprimer encore un volume a 6,000. Vous le prierez de nous en ecrire. Vous lui direz
See M. Duplain and try to find out, but without showing too much curiosity, where things stand regarding the printing of the quarto Encyclopédie volumes, how many presses are working on it in Lyon or elsewhere; whether the third edition has been started, how many copies are being printed of it…
You will listen attentively to everything M. J. D. [Joseph Duplain] may tell you concerning our Encyclopédie, and you will avoid making any disclosure…
You will speak to J.D. about our desire to print another volume at 6,000. You will ask him to write to us about it. You will tell him
p. 129 — The Neuchatel Imprint
qu 'il y a beaucoup d 'apparence qu 'aucun des volumes n 'est corrige avec plus de soin et par des gens plus instruits, qu 'on donne toute l 'attention possible a I 'execution, que notre imprimerie est mieux montee a tous egards qu 'aucune de celles qu 'on emploie a cette entreprise, que nous avons fort papiers superieurs en beaute a ceux de Lyon, que nous avons monte notre fabrique expres pour reimprimer l'in-folio que son edition in-quarto a retardee, qu 'il est done juste que nous soyons indemnises de quelque maniere. S 'il est impossible d 'obtenir de lui un volume a 6,000, dites que nous avons droit par le traite d 'imprimer trois volumes a 2,000 [that is, of the third edition] et que nous esperons que cet article ne souffrira aucune difficulte . . .
NB Vous nous rendrez compte en detail de ce que vous aurez fait a cet egard.
that there is every appearance that none of the volumes is corrected with more care and by more knowledgeable people, that every possible attention is given to the execution, that our printing house is better equipped in every respect than any of those employed in this enterprise, that we have very fine papers superior in quality to those of Lyon, that we set up our establishment expressly to reprint the folio edition which his quarto edition has delayed, and that it is therefore fair that we be compensated in some manner. If it is impossible to obtain from him a volume at 6,000, say that we have the right by the contract to print three volumes at 2,000 [that is, of the third edition] and that we hope this article will present no difficulty…
NB You will give us a detailed account of what you have done in this regard.
p. 129 — The Neuchatel Imprint
Relisez bien toutes vos notes pour Lyon avant de faire aucune visite afin d 'avoir balle en bouche en traitant.
Re-read all your notes for Lyon carefully before making any visit so as to have your arguments ready when negotiating.
p. 129 — The Neuchatel Imprint
je ... me suis conforme, a Dieu merci, en tous points vos instructions, ce qui n 'est pas aise avec lui quand l'on yest aussi longtemps.
I … conformed, thank God, to your instructions in every point, which is not easy with him when one is there for such a long time.
p. 130 — The Neuchatel Imprint
m'a dit vous avoir ecrit pour permettre que cette troisieme edition parut sous votre nom, que cela lui donnerait plus de relief.
told me that he had written to you to ask permission for this third edition to appear under your name, that it would give it more distinction.
p. 130 — The Neuchatel Imprint
Nous nous sommes determines a reimprimer la troisieme edition a 4 rames 15 mains,
We have decided to reprint the third edition at 4 reams 15 quires,
p. 130 — The Neuchatel Imprint
Elle est sous presse, et nous esperons delivrer deux a trois volumes en aout. Comme nous voulons que cette edition ( entre nous soit dit) soit superieure a l 'autre pour !'execution, la correction etc. afin que s 'il en reste quelques exemplaires ils ne nous soient pas charge, nous avons pense que pour qu 'elle se distinguat, elle parut sous un autre nom. Nous vous prions en consequence de nous permettre de nous servir du votre. Vons para!trez avoir achete de Pellet etc. Envoyez-nous a cet egard votre consentement s.v.p.
It is on the press, and we hope to deliver two to three volumes in August. As we want this edition (between ourselves) to be superior to the other in execution, correction, etc., so that if any copies remain they will not be a burden to us, we have thought that in order for it to be distinguished, it should appear under another name. We therefore ask your permission to use yours. You will appear to have purchased [the rights] from Pellet, etc. Please send us your consent in this regard.
p. 131 — The Neuchatel Imprint
plusieurs volumes.
several volumes.
p. 131 — The Neuchatel Imprint
Le public a souscrit pour 32 volumes [that is, twenty-nine volumes of text and three of plates]. Si l'ouvrage en avait un plus grand nombre, je ne sais trop comment on pourrait les lui faire payer.
The public subscribed for 32 volumes [that is, twenty-nine volumes of text and three of plates]. If the work were to have a greater number, I am not quite sure how one could make them pay for them.
p. 132 — Juggling Editions
une troisieme edition de l 'Encyclopedie, qui contiendra 36 volumes in-4 ° a deux colonnes, proposee par souscription chez la Societe Typographique de Neuchatel.
a third edition of the Encyclopédie, which will contain 36 quarto volumes in double columns, offered by subscription at the Société Typographique de Neuchâtel.
The Business of Enlightenment
p. 145
a Lyon et autres villes de France
in Lyon and other cities of France
p. 145
convenable
convenient [or suitable]
p. 145
pour ... un objet de depense annuelle infiniment plus considerable
for ... an item of annual expenditure infinitely more considerable
p. 147
une affaire bouclee
a closed [or settled] deal
p. 147
lettre ostensible
open letter [a letter intended to be shown to others]
p. 171 — Open War
Je reponds bien qu'ils n'entreront pas en France. Le magistrat me l'a promis, et les nouveaux reglements offrent les moyens les plus faciles pour les en empecher quand il y a un tiers opposant. Yous sentez, Messieurs, qu'etant munis d'un privilege, vous ne devez point, ainsi que moi, vous relacher de vos droits. Duplain, en vertu de nos actes, de notre privilege, est venu composer avec nous. II faut que les Lausannois en fassent de menie.
I can well answer that they will not enter France. The magistrate has promised me this, and the new regulations offer the easiest means to prevent them when there is an opposing third party. You understand, gentlemen, that being in possession of a privilege, you must not, any more than I, relax your rights. Duplain, by virtue of our agreements, our privilege, came to terms with us. The people of Lausanne must do the same.
p. 173
J'ai eu l'honneur de vous mander que je m'etais arrange avec M. Duplain au sujet de la nouvelle edition in quarto du Dictionnaire des Arts. Il me mantle dans ce moment qu'il attend de Geneve les deux premiers volumes. Je vous serai oblige de donner vos ordres pour que ces volumes passent sans difficulte et d'accorder toute votre protection a cet ouvrage. Monsieur de Neville est prevenu de tout ce que j'ai fait a ce sujet.
I had the honour of informing you that I had come to an arrangement with M. Duplain regarding the new quarto edition of the Dictionnaire des Arts. He informs me at this moment that he is expecting the first two volumes from Geneva. I would be obliged if you would give orders for these volumes to pass without difficulty and to accord all your protection to this work. Monsieur de Neville has been informed of everything I have done in this matter.
p. 173
Il sera tres bien que les ordres soient adresses aux inspecteurs dans les differentes chambres syndicales, vu l'autorite que les nouveaux reglements leur attribuent.
It will be very good for the orders to be addressed to the inspectors in the various guild chambers, given the authority that the new regulations attribute to them.
p. 175
Nous vous prevenons qu'avons des entrepots surs; et si vous voulez profiter de I'occasion qu'avez de l'Encyclopedie, vous pouvez d'une balle en faire passer quatre, en les masquant sur les bords et aux tetes. Nous vout-> les ferons passer avec facilite, sanR que personne s'en aper<:;oive, d'autant plus que c'est nous qui retirons toutes les
We inform you that we have secure warehouses; and if you wish to take advantage of the opportunity afforded by the Encyclopédie, you can [smuggle] four bales for every one, by concealing them on the sides and at the ends. We will get them through easily, without anyone noticing, all the more so because it is we who collect all the
p. 177
Nous avons eu occasion de voir ici nos Encyclopedistes in-octavo. Ils ne nous ont fait aucune ouverture relative a cet objet, et nous avons lieu de croire ou qu'ils veulent traiter avec vous ou qu'ils croient pouvoir s'arranger sans cela. Ils tirent actuellement 3,000 et ils ont dit dans la conversation qu'ils s'engagaient a rendre les exemplaires dans tout le royaume a leurs perils et risques. Nous croyons devoir vous rendre ce propos pour l'expliquer par leur conduite. Si la correspondance de Pfaehler avec vous n'a point de suite, il faut en cas conclure qu'ils ont ou croient avoir une route sure.
We had occasion to see our octavo Encyclopédistes here. They made no approach to us regarding this matter, and we have reason to believe either that they wish to negotiate with you or that they think they can manage without it. They are currently printing 3,000 and they said in conversation that they undertook to deliver the copies throughout the kingdom at their own peril and risk. We think it our duty to report this remark to you, to be explained by their conduct. If Pfaehler's correspondence with you comes to nothing, one must in that case conclude that they have, or believe they have, a safe route.
p. 179
Plus aurons de cordes a notre arc et mieux la chose ira.
The more strings we have to our bow, the better things will go.
p. 179
M. Duplain n'a pas pen ete Surpris de l'adresse des entrepreneurs de cette edition pour faire passer leurs balles . . . Il est enchante de cette decouverte et dit, 'Il faut tremousser, c'est ce que je ferai; ils ne seront pas pen capots quand ils en verront quelques magots d'arretes.' Je me suis bien garde de compromettre Capel et me suis conforme, Dien merci, en tons points a VOS instructions, ce qui n'est pas aise avec lui quand l'on y est aussi longtemps que j'y ai ete.
M. Duplain was not a little surprised by the cleverness of the publishers of this edition in getting their bales through... He is delighted with this discovery and says, 'We must bestir ourselves, and that is what I shall do; they will be not a little flummoxed when they see a few loads seized.' I was very careful not to implicate Capel and conformed, thank God, in every respect to your instructions, which is not easy with him when one is in his company as long as I was.
p. 179
Ila ete etonne des demarches de Capel, d'autant plus qu'il a souscrit pour un grand nombre de I'in-quarto.
He was astonished by Capel's actions, all the more so since he [Capel] had subscribed for a large number of the quarto.
p. 179
lorsqu'il s'agit de l'Encyclopedie quarto, on n'en ouvre qu'une on deux [balles] d'un envoi, et I'acquit est decharge
when it comes to the quarto Encyclopédie, only one or two [bales] of a shipment are opened, and the customs permit is discharged
p. 179
Il s'agit de mettre en oeuvre tous les moyens que nous avons en main . . . L'un des plus essentials est de veiller avec le plus grand soin a ce qu'il ne s'introduise en France aucun exemplaire de I'octavo, car les Lausannois posent toujours en fait qu'il en entrera en depit de nous. Les bureaux de Frambourg, de Jougne, Moret et Coulonge sont les prinei paux de ceux qui repondent a nos frontieres. Nous nous persuadons que vous saurez prendre les mesures les plus e:flicaces pour emplleher cette eontrebande-la.
The task is to deploy all the means at our disposal... One of the most essential is to watch with the greatest care that not a single copy of the octavo enters France, for the people of Lausanne always assert as a fact that some will get in despite us. The customs posts of Frambourg, Jougne, Moret and Coulonge are the principal ones along our borders. We are confident that you will know how to take the most effective measures to prevent this smuggling.
p. 179
l'operation perilleuse
the perilous operation
p. 253
Je connais plusieurs personnes qui se proposaient de souscrire pour l'Encyclopedie et qui ont ete arretees a la VUe des negligences multipliees de VOS pressiers, dont les doigts sont imprimes sur presque toutes les feuilles.
I know several people who were intending to subscribe to the Encyclopédie and who were put off at the sight of the repeated carelessnesses of your pressmen, whose fingerprints are imprinted on almost all the sheets.
p. 253
chargent leur forme d'encre de maniere que sans effort la lettre sort-mais comment f-comme un pate, sans regularite, sans traits ... Nous vous prions de surseoir absolument tout ce que vous faites, de nous renvoyer la copie, et nous continuerons. II ne fallait pas vous charger d'une operation que vous n'etiez pas en etat de faire et nous exposer a une ruine inevitable.
ink their forme in such a way that without effort the letter comes out—but how?—like a blob, without regularity, without definition ... We beg you to suspend absolutely everything you are doing, to send back the copy to us, and we will continue. You should not have taken on an operation you were not in a state to carry out and [thereby] expose us to inevitable ruin.
p. 253
Puisque l'affaire est en regle, nous oublierons volontiers ce que sa vivacite a pu lui faire ecrire de trop peu menage dans l'esperance qu'il n'oubliera plus a l'avenir les egards que les honnetes gens se doivent entr'eux. Nous lui avons ecrit consecutivement deux lettres qui lui feront comprendre que nous savons aussi bien que lui juger le travail des imprimeries.
Since the matter is settled, we will willingly forget what his hot-headedness may have led him to write [that was] too little restrained, in the hope that he will no longer forget in future the consideration that honest people owe one another. We have written him two letters in succession which will make him understand that we know how to judge the work of print shops as well as he does.
p. 253
C'est le pressier qui peut donner beaucoup d'aide au bon succes.
It is the pressman who can contribute greatly to good success.
p. 259
sorte de legende doree de l'artisanat
a kind of golden legend of craftsmanship
p. 260
donner la huee
to make a racket [lit. to give the hue and cry]
p. 260
faire une copie
to play a prank [lit. to make a copy]
p. 260
faire la deroute
to go pub-crawling [lit. to go on a rout]
p. 260
prendre la barbe
to get drunk [lit. to take the beard]
p. 260
prendre la chevre
to get into brawls [lit. to take the goat]
p. 260
faire des loups
to run into debt [lit. to make wolves]
p. 260
promener sa chape
to be absent from work [lit. to take one's cope for a walk]
p. 260
emporter son Saint Jean
to be unemployed [lit. to carry off one's Saint John]
p. 260
Spineux m'a ecrit ce matin un billet qui porte sa confession generale et annonce que la tete lui tourne
Spineux wrote me a note this morning that amounts to a general confession and announces that his head is spinning
p. 261
que nous ne perdions ce pauvre garçon.
that we may lose this poor fellow.
p. 261
Je voudrais trouver un endroit stable, pour ne plus etre meme d'aller et venir.
I would like to find a stable place, so as no longer to be [in the position] of coming and going.
p. 261
chagrins cuisants
burning griefs [acute distress]
p. 261
Mon amour pour le travail, le grand emploi du temps, mon attention a ce qu'aucun ouvrier ne perde son temps et ne fasse mal, n'ont pas toujours trouve des approbateurs parmi mes confreres de la proterie,
My love of work, the great use of time, my attention to ensuring that no worker wastes his time or does poor work, have not always found approval among my fellow workers in the print shop,
p. 261
vous obbliges une mere de famille aflliger et sil vous saves ou est mon mari je vous prist de vouloire bien me le marque.
you will oblige a distressed mother and wife, and if you know where my husband is I beg you to be so good as to let me know.
p. 261
C'est un original d'ouvrier qui tranche du grand personnage.
He is an eccentric worker who puts on the airs of a great personage.
p. 262
se bien menager
to take good care of himself
p. 262
ou il me dit etre fort inquiet et tres en peine de ce jeune homme. Si vous vouliez bien, Messieurs, m'honorer d'un mot de reponse et me marquer ce que vous pensez de cet enfant, s'il est malade ou non, ce qu'il fait ou ce qu'il est devenu, vous obligerez infiniment le pere et l'oncle.
in which he tells me he is very worried and greatly troubled about this young man. If you would be so good, Gentlemen, as to honor me with a word of reply and let me know what you think of this child, whether he is ill or not, what he is doing or what has become of him, you will oblige the father and the uncle infinitely.
p. 277
Jean-Leonard Pellet, imprimeur Geneve et editeur de l'Encyclopedie in-quarto, annonce qu l 'ouvrage des redacteurs est entierement fini et que son edition contiendra en tout 36 volumes de discours et 3 de planches. 11 se fait un devoir sacre de tenir les promesses qu'il a consignees a la tete des tomes XI, XIII, et XVII. En consequence, MM. les souscripteurs recevront gratis trois volumes de discours.
Jean-Léonard Pellet, printer in Geneva and editor of the Encyclopédie in-quarto, announces that the work of the editors is entirely finished and that his edition will contain in all 36 volumes of text and 3 of plates. He considers it a sacred duty to keep the promises he set down at the head of volumes XI, XIII, and XVII. Consequently, the subscribers will receive three volumes of text free of charge.
p. 277
MM. les souscripteurs
the [gentlemen] subscribers
p. 277
annonces ou avis
announcements or notices
p. 277
Les deux ecrivains qui COll(;urent le projet de l'Encyclopedie en firent la bibliotheque de l 'homme de gout, du philosophe, et du savant. Ce livre nous dispense de lire presque tous les autres. Ses editeurs, en eclairant l 'esprit humain, l 'etonnent souvent par l 'immense variete de leurs connaissances, et plus souvent encore par la nouveaute, la pro-
The two writers who conceived the project of the Encyclopédie made it the library of the man of taste, of the philosopher, and of the scholar. This book spares us from reading almost all others. Its editors, in enlightening the human mind, often astonish it by the immense variety of their knowledge, and still more often by the novelty, the pro-
p. 278
fondeur, et l 'ordre systematique de leurs idees. Personne n 'a mieux connu qu'eux l'art de monter des consequences aux principes, de degager la verite de l'alliage des erreurs, de prevenir contre l'abus des mots, qui en est la principale source, d'epargner des efforts a la memoire qui recueille les idees, a la raison qui les combine, I 'imagination qui les embellit. Cette marche vraiment philosophique a du accelerer les progres de la raison; et depuis quelques annees l'on court a pas de geant dans une route qu 'ils ont applanie et dont ils ont souvent change les epines en fleurs.
depth, and the systematic order of their ideas. No one has better understood than they the art of moving from consequences to principles, of separating truth from the alloy of errors, of guarding against the abuse of words, which is its principal source, of sparing the efforts of the memory that gathers ideas, of the reason that combines them, [and of] the imagination that embellishes them. This truly philosophical approach must have accelerated the progress of reason; and for some years now one has been moving in giant strides along a path that they have smoothed and along which they have often changed thorns into flowers.
p. 279
Il faut commencer par distinguer et ranger sous deux classes tous ceux qui se sont pourvus chez nous: les uns sont gens de lettres ou curieux de s 'instruire a l 'aide de cette compilation; les autres n 'ont ete guides que par une sorte de vanite, se faisant gloire de posseder un ouvrage si renomme.
One must begin by distinguishing and placing into two classes all those who have obtained [the work] from us: some are men of letters or eager to educate themselves with the help of this compilation; others have been guided only by a kind of vanity, priding themselves on possessing such a renowned work.
p. 279
Il a fallu des courses, des sollicitations, des demarches pour obtenir la circulation moderee et comme venant de Neuchatel de ce prospectus,
It took journeys, solicitations, [and] steps to obtain the limited circulation of this prospectus, [presented] as if coming from Neuchâtel,
p. 279
Quoiqu 'il y ait eu une defense de la part du magistrat pour cet ouvrage, nous sommes tres assures que l 'effet en est suspendu et qu 'il n 'y a absolument rien a craindre pour les collecteurs, surtout en mettant, quant a la capitale, quelque prudence dans leur marche.
Although there has been a prohibition on the part of the magistrate concerning this work, we are very assured that its effect is suspended and that there is absolutely nothing to fear for [subscription] collectors, especially by proceeding with some prudence, as far as the capital is concerned.
IV PIRACY AND TRADE WAR
p. 148
C'est une chose admirable de voir a quel point et en combien de sens on s'occupe de l'Encyclopedie depuis notre quarto. Il semble que nous ayons electrifie tout le monde.
It is a wonderful thing to see to what extent and in how many directions people have been occupied with the Encyclopédie since our quarto. It seems that we have electrified the whole world.
p. 148 — Pirate Raids
On dirait, comme vous l'observez, que le succes de l'Encyclopedie in-quarto a tellement electrise tout le monde que chacun veut avoir part a ce grand dictionnaire.
One might say, as you observe, that the success of the quarto Encyclopédie has so electrified everyone that each person wants to have a share in this great dictionary.
p. 149 — Pirate Raids
L'unique but de notre dernier voyage a Geneve a ete d'empecher la contrefagon dont nous etions menaces. La seule maniere de s'en garantir c'est d'annoncer a ces enrages que d'ici en fevrier 1779 nous aurons tout livre et que de suite apres nous annoncions une edition augmentee par les premiers editeurs. A peine auront-ils fait quatre a cinq volumes dans l'intervale qu'il y aura jusqu'a notre entiere livraison. Qu'en feront-ils? Comment leur edition entrera-t-elle en France? Elle trouvera de grandes oppositions. Toutes ces raisons dites verbalement et non par lettre arreteront les plus obstines. Faites-en part a la Societe de Lausanne s.v.p.
The sole purpose of our last trip to Geneva was to prevent the counterfeiting with which we were threatened. The only way to guard against it is to announce to these madmen that by February 1779 we will have delivered everything, and that immediately afterward we will announce an expanded edition by the original editors. They will barely have produced four or five volumes in the interval before our complete delivery [is accomplished]. What will they do with them? How will their edition enter France? It will meet with great opposition. All these reasons, stated verbally and not by letter, will stop even the most stubborn. Please share this with the Société de Lausanne.
p. 149 — Pirate Raids
que les libraires de Toulouse font imprimer a Nimes chez M. Gaude
that the booksellers of Toulouse are having printed in Nîmes at M. Gaude's [shop]
p. 150 — Pirate Raids
On a voulu m'inspirer des craintes sur une pareille entreprise a Avignon. Au reste, j'ai ici tout dispose de maniere que dans aucun cas aucune de ces editions n'entrerait en France, et sans la France, point de succes.
People have tried to inspire fears in me about such an enterprise in Avignon. For the rest, I have arranged everything here in such a way that in no case would any of these editions enter France, and without France, there is no success.
p. 150 — Pirate Raids
La mechancete de mes confreres m'est si bien connue que je crois ne pouvoir prendre trop de precautions
The wickedness of my colleagues is so well known to me that I believe one cannot take too many precautions
p. 151 — Pirate Raids
Nous n'avons pas ignore le projet de Barret. Mais il nous a paru que son but n'etait que d'obliger les entrepreneurs de l'in-quarto a lui donner quelque part au gateau, et nous avons pense qu'il vous serait encore plus facile de faire valoir votre privilege contre un libraire du royaume que contre un etranger.
We were not unaware of Barret's project. But it seemed to us that his aim was only to oblige the organizers of the quarto to give him some share of the cake, and we thought it would be even easier for you to enforce your privilege against a bookseller of the kingdom than against a foreigner.
p. 151 — Pirate Raids
Celle-la m'inquietait veritablement.
That one truly worried me.
p. 152 — Pirate Raids
indemnite
indemnity [compensation]
p. 152 — Pirate Raids
pour nous dedommager des arrangements qu'on a ete oblige de prendre avec Barret
to compensate us for the arrangements that one was obliged to make with Barret
p. 153 — Pirate Raids
Quand on ne peut detruire les corsaires, la bonne politique veut qu'on compose avec eux. C'est la loi de la necessite.
When one cannot destroy the pirates, good policy requires that one come to terms with them. That is the law of necessity.
p. 154 — The Octavo Publishers and Their Encyclopédie
On fait done cette annee des Encyclopedies comme des brochures.
So this year they are producing Encyclopédies as if they were pamphlets.
p. 154 — The Octavo Publishers and Their Encyclopédie
exactement Conforme a l'edition quarto qui s'imprime chez Pellet a Geneve
exactly conforming to the quarto edition being printed at Pellet's in Geneva
p. 155 — The Octavo Publishers and Their Encyclopédie
Les 39 [a slip for 29] volumes de discours de l'Encyclopedie annoncee par la Societe typographique de Lausanne seront imprimes page pour page sur l'edition quarto de Geneve, et le 30eme sera un Supplement tres interessant dans lequel on trouvera les decouvertes faites dans les sciences et dans les arts pendant le cours de cette edition, avec un catalogue des meilleurs ouvrages sur ces sciences et ces arts publies chez toutes les nations avec un succes merite. Ces 30 volumes coftteront 150 livres de France, et les 3 volumes de planches, pour ceux qui les souhaiteront, coftteront 45 livres; en tout 195 livres de France. Somme tres modique pour un pareil ouvrage.
The 39 [a slip for 29] text volumes of the Encyclopédie announced by the Société typographique de Lausanne will be printed page for page from the quarto edition of Geneva, and the 30th will be a very interesting Supplement in which will be found the discoveries made in the sciences and arts during the course of this edition, with a catalogue of the best works on these sciences and arts published among all nations with well-deserved success. These 30 volumes will cost 150 livres of France, and the 3 volumes of plates, for those who wish them, will cost 45 livres; in all 195 livres of France. A very modest sum for such a work.
p. 155 — The Octavo Publishers and Their Encyclopédie
Encyclopedie de poche
pocket Encyclopédie
p. 155 — The Octavo Publishers and Their Encyclopédie
luxe typographique
typographical luxury
p. 156 — The Origins of the Quarto-Octavo War
Nous avons des avis certains que la Societe typographique de Lausanne fait fondre une fonte petit texte gros oeil et se propose de faire notre Encyclopedie in octavo. Vous sentez que c'est une entreprise ridicule mais qui neanmoins nous portera le plus grand coup par rapport aux annonces qu'elle ne manquera pas de faire.
We have reliable information that the Société typographique de Lausanne is having cast a small-text large-face type and intends to produce our Encyclopédie in octavo. You will understand that it is a ridiculous undertaking, but one which will nonetheless deal us the greatest blow on account of the announcements it will not fail to make.
p. 156 — The Origins of the Quarto-Octavo War
Il faut s.v.p. a lettre vue depecher un ambassadeur pour parer le coup . . . Il n'y a pas une minute a perdre pour vous rendre a Lausanne . . . Vous pouvez dire a Messieurs de Lausanne qu'a compter du huitieme volume tous nos volumes auront 120 feuilles, qu'ils ne pourront pas entrer en France, et que sitot notre edition finie, ce qui sera la fin de 1778, nous en publierons une augmentee par les d'Alembert et Diderot. Ne perdez pas un instant s.v.p.
Please, upon receipt of this letter, dispatch an ambassador to avert the blow... There is not a minute to lose in getting yourself to Lausanne... You can tell the gentlemen of Lausanne that from the eighth volume onward all our volumes will have 120 sheets, that they will not be able to enter France, and that as soon as our edition is finished, which will be at the end of 1778, we will publish an expanded one by [d'Alembert and] Diderot. Do not lose an instant, please.
Piracy and Trade War
p. 157
une
a [kind of]
p. 158
espece de ligue
sort of league
p. 158
Je ne suis point surpris de la concurrence que nous eprouvons. Il y a pres de 8 ans que cette affaire a ete pour moi une occasion de supplices. Dom Felice n 'est-il pas venu nous barrer par son in-quarto [that is, the Encyclopedie d'Yverdon] au moment de la publication de l'in-folio? N 'ai-je pas ete mis a la Bastille? 6,000 volumes in-folio n 'y sont-ils pas restes six ans? Les portes de la France n 'ont-elles pas ete fermees deux fois? L 'impot enfin de 60 livres n 'a-t-il pas mis le comble a tout ce que nous eprouvions? Notre constance est venue a bout de tous ces obstacles. L'affaire de Geneve a reussi. Il en sera de meme, Monsieur, de notre entreprise. Cette edition in-octavo peut donner quelques alarmes, mais elle ne nous nuira pas. J e doute meme qu'elle s'execute. On pourra faire 2 a 4 volumes, mais on en restera la. Vous verrez si je ne suis pas bon prophete. Il est fou d 'imprimer
I am not at all surprised by the competition we are experiencing. For nearly 8 years this affair has been for me a source of torments. Did not Dom Felice come and block us with his quarto [that is, the Encyclopédie d'Yverdon] at the moment of the publication of the folio? Was I not put in the Bastille? Did not 6,000 folio volumes remain there for six years? Were not the doors of France closed twice? Did not the tax of 60 livres finally cap everything we were suffering? Our perseverance overcame all these obstacles. The Geneva affair succeeded. It will be the same, Sir, with our enterprise. This octavo edition may cause some alarm, but it will not harm us. I even doubt that it will be carried out. They may produce 2 to 4 volumes, but they will stop there. You will see whether I am not a good prophet. It is mad to print
p. 158
Qu 'au reste, ils ne croyaient point a cette nouvelle edition de I 'Encyclopedie sur un meilleur plan, ni a Ia defense d 'entrer la leur en France; que si M. Panckoucke avait du credit, ii n 'etait pas le seul; qu 'ils avaient prevu cet inconvenient, qui lors meme qu 'ii existerait ne Jes arreterait pas, parce qu 'on fait entrer en France tons Jes jours un grand nombre de livres defend us; qu 'ils ne croyaient pas non plus a cette edition octavo qu 'on annonce a Geneve pour les intimider; qu 'enfin ils etaient resolus de poursuivre, d 'autant plus qu 'ii dependait d 'eux de se mettre en surete, puisque s 'ils voulaient, ils ne resteraient charges que d 'un sixieme de I 'entreprise.
That for the rest, they did not believe in this new edition of the Encyclopédie on a better plan, nor in the ban on their [edition] entering France; that if M. Panckoucke had influence, he was not the only one; that they had foreseen this difficulty, which even if it existed would not stop them, because a great number of forbidden books are brought into France every day; that they did not believe either in this octavo edition announced at Geneva to intimidate them; that finally they were resolved to proceed, all the more so because it was within their power to secure themselves, since if they wished, they would only remain liable for a sixth of the enterprise.
p. 159
l 'Encyclopedie en petit texte. Au reste, nous serons ici defendus. J 'attends le retour du magistrat pour mettre tout sous ses yeux. J e vous promets bien que cette Encyclopedie n 'entrera point en France.
the Encyclopédie in small type. For the rest, we will be defended here. I am awaiting the return of the magistrate to put everything before his eyes. I promise you indeed that this Encyclopédie will not enter France at all.
p. 159
Peut-etre pourriez-vous les bercer d 'une association dans quelques annees, dire que nous prendrions part a leurs entreprises, et qu 'en la [the octavo Encyclopedie] suspendant cette annee et les deux suivantes elle aura surement lieu ... Peut-etre ne faudrait-il pas la craindre. Vous leur inspirerez de la confiance en marquant de la crainte. Nos six mille sont places: que pourrions-nous esperer de plus? Il n 'est pas probable que les souscripteurs se retirent. On preferera toujours donner 4 a 5 louis de plus et avoir une encyclopedie lisible et d 'un format convenable. Je vous assure que je vois plus de danger a tenter un accommodement qu 'a paraitre indifferents. Au reste, j 'attends le magistrat pour Jui mettre le prospectus [of the octavo] sous les yeux et voir Jes arrangements qu 'il aura a prendre.
Perhaps you could lull them with the prospect of an association in a few years, say that we would take a share in their enterprises, and that by suspending it [the octavo Encyclopédie] this year and the two following ones it will surely come about ... Perhaps it should not be feared. You will inspire them with confidence by showing fear. Our six thousand [subscriptions] are placed: what more could we hope for? It is not likely that the subscribers will withdraw. People will always prefer to pay 4 to 5 louis more and have an encyclopaedia that is readable and of a suitable format. I assure you that I see more danger in attempting an accommodation than in appearing indifferent. For the rest, I am awaiting the magistrate to put the prospectus [of the octavo] before his eyes and to see what arrangements he will have to make.
p. 160
Vous sentez que si un pareil arrangement avait lieu, il faudrait que Duplain n 'en sut rien et qu 'on gardat le plus profond secret.
You understand that if such an arrangement were to take place, Duplain would have to know nothing about it and the deepest secrecy would have to be maintained.
p. 160
Il ne parait pas que ce flit nous leur faire des propositions, tenant, comme vous nous en assurez les clefs du royaume.
It does not seem [appropriate] for us to make them propositions, holding, as you assure us, the keys to the kingdom.
p. 160
Nous voyons que vos commettants preferent l 'octavo. Nous en entreprenons aussi une en ce format dont le merite ne sera pas inferieur mais bien le prix. Nous travaillons aux arrangements, et le prospectus en paraitra avant la quinzaine. Nous comptons que cette seconde edition entreprise pour cet objet aura plus de succes entre vos mains que la premiere. Nous le desirous pour votre a vantage autant que pour le notre.
We see that your clients prefer the octavo. We are also undertaking one in that format, the quality of which will not be inferior, but the price certainly will be. We are working on the arrangements, and the prospectus will appear within a fortnight. We count on this second edition, undertaken for this purpose, having more success in your hands than the first. We wish this for your advantage as much as for our own.
p. 161
Vous serez obliges de nous ceder ou de baisser votre prix vous-memes. C 'est ainsi qu 'on se coupe la gorge les uns les autres, mais vous nous en donnez l 'exemple et nous en imposez la necessite. Et ne croyez pas que nous vous faisions une vaine menace. Les prospectus sont prets, et nous avons les memes caracteres, presses necessaires etc. a Yverdon a notre disposition.
You will be obliged to yield to us or to lower your price yourselves. This is how one cuts each other's throats, but you set us the example and impose the necessity upon us. And do not think we are making you an empty threat. The prospectuses are ready, and we have the same typefaces, presses and other necessary [equipment] at Yverdon at our disposal.
p. 162
taut le bon marche a d'attrait pour le plus grand nombre, c 'est a dire pour les sots.
so much does a low price have attraction for the greatest number, that is to say for fools.
p. 162
propositions ... captieuses et contradictoires
captious and contradictory propositions
p. 162
a cause du bas prix et du gout constant du public pour cet ouvrage.
because of the low price and the public's constant taste for this work.
p. 163
Leur edition au reste parait deplaire partout.
Their edition moreover seems to be displeasing everywhere.
p. 163
Nous ne prendrons absolument aucun interet ni direct ni indirect dans le projet de l 'edition octavo meprise et bafoue partout. Nous vous prions pour notre repos et le votre de ne pas commettre sur cet objet notre ami de Paris, qui est un visionnaire et qui change d 'opinion comme le temps de vents. Laissez-nous agir, conduire la barque, et soyez surs de votre pilote. Nous avons repondu a Lausanne que nous leur abandonnions ce terrain, que nous ne pretendions pas y labourer, et tenons-nous-en la, de grace. Ne les inquietons point, et ils ne feront rien contre nos interets.
We will take absolutely no interest, either direct or indirect, in the project of the octavo edition despised and ridiculed everywhere. We beg you, for our peace of mind and yours, not to commit our friend in Paris on this matter — he is a visionary who changes his opinion like the direction of the wind. Let us act, steer the boat, and be sure of your pilot. We have replied to Lausanne that we were abandoning that ground to them, that we had no intention of cultivating it, and let us leave it at that, please. Let us not trouble them, and they will do nothing against our interests.
p. 164 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
Il est facile de conclure que c'est Duplain qui a aigri ces gens-Ia en Iachant a l 'improviste son peu honorable prospectus octavo, et qui de plus les a rendus un peu fiers par les tentatives faites de sa part aupres d'eux. Et comme il a juge apropos de faire le tout a notre insu, nous sommes fondes a lui en porter plainte.
It is easy to conclude that it is Duplain who has embittered those people by suddenly releasing his rather dishonourable octavo prospectus, and who moreover has made them a little proud by the attempts he made on his own part with them. And since he saw fit to do all of this without our knowledge, we are justified in making a complaint to him about it.
p. 164 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
Chacun travaillera de son cote et fera de son mieux sans donner au public une scene peu convenable au bien de la chose.
Each will work on his own side and do his best without giving the public a scene little conducive to the good of the matter.
p. 164 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
C'est a dire qu'independamment de !'edition in-folio et in-quarto comme le porte notre traite nous en contrefassions nous memes [in-octavo], et cela au prix a faire perdre l'envie de nous contrefaire.
That is to say that independently of the folio and quarto edition as stipulated in our agreement, we ourselves would counterfeit [an octavo edition], and at a price low enough to take away any desire to counterfeit us.
p. 165 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
Nous nous ferons un vrai plaisir de la [L'Histoire de l'Amerique] partager avec vous.
We will take genuine pleasure in sharing it [the History of America] with you.
p. 166 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
Confederation helvetique
Helvetic Confederation
p. 167 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
entiche comme il est du Grand Dictionnaire et seduit par le bas prix.
infatuated as it is with the Great Dictionary and seduced by the low price.
p. 167 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
pleins pouvoirs
full powers [to negotiate]
p. 167 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
la guerre l'oeil
[keeping] a watch on the war
p. 167 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
Il n 'est pas douteux que vous jouirez par la d 'un benefice tres considerable sans beaucoup de peine et de risque, tandis que nous veillons a I 'impression, a I 'expedition, a la correspondance, enfin a tout le mercantil. Vons retirerez au bout d 'un certain temps le benefice sans autres soins ni embarras que d 'avoir fait un fonds modique.
It is beyond doubt that you will thereby enjoy a very considerable profit without much trouble and risk, while we attend to the printing, the shipping, the correspondence, in short to all the commercial side. You will receive in due course the profit without any other cares or difficulties than having contributed a modest sum of capital.
p. 168 — The Final Failure of Diplomacy
Nous romprons plutot toute negociation que de souscrire a des conditions onereuses.
We would rather break off all negotiation than agree to onerous conditions.
p. 169
Les gens de Berne travaillent et marchandent. Ils offrent le quart, et nous insistons sur la moitie.
The people of Bern are working and bargaining. They are offering a quarter, and we are insisting on half.
p. 169
la somme qu'il faudrait payer pour une et toute fois et quels seraient les suretes qu'on pourrait nous donner pour nous mettre a l'abri des evenements que nous pourrions encore courir, non obstant de l'entree accordee
the sum that would need to be paid once and for all, and what guarantees could be given to us to shelter us from the eventualities we might still face, notwithstanding the entry [permission] granted
p. 169
La variabilite du gouvernement et tant d'autres choses rendent cette precaution necessaire, puisque la mort ou la disgrace d'une seule personne peuvent amener des changements inattendus.
The instability of the government and so many other things make this precaution necessary, since the death or disgrace of a single person can bring about unexpected changes.
p. 169
Cette edition menee avec l'activite que vous avez deployee aurait un succes aussi brillant que I'in-quarto.
This edition, carried out with the energy you have displayed, would have a success as brilliant as the quarto.
p. 169
en France et pour la France
in France and for France
p. 170
l'Atlas de la librairie française
the Atlas of the French book trade
p. 170
ils auraient eu la peine de former et preparer I'enterprise et de I'executer. En l'augmentant ils multiplieraient leurs frais, leurs presses, leurs embarras, et cela pourquoi 1 Pour avoir l'honneur d'en donner gratis a M. Panckoucke, qui les a regarde faire les bras croises. Oh non, cela ne se peut. Ils ne sont ni sots, ni insenses. Ils aiment mieux laisser libres leurs souscripteurs français. S'ils veulent des Encyclopedies de ce format, ils viendront les prendre sur les frontieres. Et M. Panckoucke pourrait bien etre fache un jour d'avoir pousse trop loin ses pretentious. Les deux societes me paraissent disposees a lui rendre le change, non pas de la meme maniere-elles ne le peuvent pas-mais par des moyens qui ne lui seront pas moins defavorables.
they would have had the trouble of forming and preparing the enterprise and of carrying it out. By enlarging it they would multiply their costs, their presses, their difficulties, and all for what? To have the honor of giving [copies] gratis to M. Panckoucke, who watched them work with his arms folded. Oh no, that cannot be. They are neither fools nor madmen. They prefer to leave their French subscribers free. If they want Encyclopedies in this format, they will come and get them at the borders. And M. Panckoucke may well be sorry one day for having pushed his pretensions too far. The two societies seem to me disposed to give him tit for tat, not in the same way — they cannot do that — but by means that will be no less unfavorable to him.
p. 170
Apres avoir consulte Messieurs nos interesses a l'Encyclopedie et apres avoir tout balance de cote et d'autre, ils ont trouve qu'ii faudra nous en tenir a notre edition, qui est presque toute placee hors la France, que nous abandonnons entierement. Il y aurait peut-etre eu moyen de s'arranger encore, si vous nous eussiez pu faire entrer quelque sfirete en cas de changement dans le ministere, ou si vous n'auriez pas rejete notre proposition d'association pour le quart du tout en faisant les fonds necessaires ou pour la moitie des exemplaires qui entreront en France ... Nous avisons aujonrd'hui M. Panckoucke d'avoir rompu la negociation pour l'Encyclopedie.
After having consulted our partners in the Encyclopédie and after having weighed everything on both sides, they found that we will have to stick to our edition, which is almost entirely placed outside France, which we are abandoning entirely. There might perhaps have been a way to come to an arrangement yet, if you had been able to give us some security in case of a change in the ministry, or if you had not rejected our proposal of association for a quarter of the whole [by providing] the necessary funds, or for half of the copies that will enter France... We are notifying M. Panckoucke today that [we have] broken off the negotiation for the Encyclopédie.
p. 172
Nous n'avons pas dit un mot aux Lausannois ni de vive voix ni par ecrit de la protection que l'on nous accorde, et ils n'avaient que faire de le savoir. Nous nous sommes bornes a leur parler du privilege pour les cuivres et de la refonte projetee.
We have not said a word to the people of Lausanne, either verbally or in writing, about the protection that has been granted to us, and they had no need to know it. We confined ourselves to speaking to them about the privilege for the copper plates and the projected revision.
p. 172
quelque surete en cas de changement dans le ministere
some security in case of a change in the ministry
p. 172
les clefs du royaume
the keys of the kingdom
p. 172
Nous croyons qu'ii est tres a propos que vous fassiez connaitre, soit directement soit par personue tierce, mais d'une maniere nette et claire, au Siem· Bornand, commis voyageur des Lausannois, la resolution vous etes d'user de vos droits et Jes mesures deja prises pour rendre efficace votre opposition. C'est un moyeu assure de l'arreter tout court, s'ii en est un.
We believe it is very advisable that you make known, either directly or through a third party, but in a clear and explicit manner, to Sieur Bornand, travelling agent for the people of Lausanne, the resolution you have made to exercise your rights and the measures already taken to make your opposition effective. It is a sure means of stopping him in his tracks, if any such means exists.
p. 174
M. de Neville me charge, Monsieur, de vous renvoyer la lettre ci-jointe que vous lui avez commuuiquee. Ce magistrat ne voit point d'inconvenient la faire partir, mais M. de La Tourette n'est pas actuellement a Lyon. Il va arriver au premier jour a Paris, et M. de Neville ne croit pas qu'il soit a propos d'ecril'e aux officiers de la chambre syndicale. Si vous voulez venir demain matin ou mardi matin a dix heures, vous verrez avec M. de Neville prendre un autre parti. J'ai re"u ce soir Jes trois exemplaires de la chambre syndicale. J'en ai fait partir un aussitot pour M. le Comte de Vergennes.
M. de Neville asks me, sir, to return to you the enclosed letter that you communicated to him. This magistrate sees no objection to sending it off, but M. de La Tourette is not currently in Lyon. He will be arriving in Paris shortly, and M. de Neville does not think it advisable to write to the officers of the guild chamber. If you wish to come tomorrow morning or Tuesday morning at ten o'clock, you will discuss with M. de Neville [how] to take a different course of action. I received this evening the three copies [from] the guild chamber. I immediately dispatched one to M. le Comte de Vergennes.
p. 176
balles de M. Duplain et qu'elles sont entreposees dans nos magasins. Nous lui les envoyons deballees par ballot. C'est fort rare quand on les visite a la Chambre; ou si on les visite, on ne les regarde jamais en dedans ou ne visite que les bords. Vous devez juger qu'il nous serait facile de mettre en surete tout ce que vous voudrez.
bales from M. Duplain and they are stored in our warehouses. We send them to him unpacked by bundle. It is very rare that they are inspected at the [guild] Chamber; or if they are inspected, they are never examined inside, or only the edges are checked. You can judge that it would be easy for us to secure whatever you wish.
p. 176
acquit caution
customs permit [a bond guaranteeing that goods would be inspected at their destination]
p. 178
leurs reponses ont toujour ete, 'Quand nous avons de vrais amis, nous savons aussi dans le besoin leur donner un coup d'epaule.'
their answers were always, 'When we have true friends, we also know how to give them a helping hand when needed.'
p. 178
nous esperons que pour de l'argent il nous rendra le meme service.
we hope that for money he will render us the same service.
p. 180
Le magistrat a donne des ordres.
The magistrate has given orders.
p. 180
Les souscripteurs, deja lasses des entraves et desagrements qu'a essuyes le premier volume, se degoutent et prennent de l'in-quarto, qui va son train. Il est certain qu'ici [Marseilles, which eventually took 228 quartos] ils n'en ont pas place quatre exemplaires.
The subscribers, already wearied by the obstacles and setbacks encountered by the first volume, are becoming disgusted and are taking the quarto, which is proceeding at a good pace. It is certain that here [Marseilles] they have not placed even four copies [of the octavo].
p. 181
L 'edition de Lausanne in-octavo se repand en foule partout. 11 faut done que M. de N. [Neville] envoie chacun de ses inspecteurs un prospectus de cette edition in-octavo et defe nde qu 'on en vende . . . 11 est bien singulier que Panckoucke fasse si fort sonner sa protection et qu 'elle nous soit si inutile.
The Lausanne octavo edition is spreading in great numbers everywhere. It is therefore necessary that M. de N. [Neville] send to each of his inspectors a prospectus of this octavo edition and forbid them to sell any of it... It is very strange that Panckoucke should make such a loud noise about his protection and that it should be so useless to us.
p. 182
de tousles cotes
from every direction [lit. from all sides]
p. 182
En Allemagne, I 'edition octavo que vous avez si fort meprisee, nous y a fait le plus grand tort.
In Germany, the octavo edition that you have so greatly scorned has done us the greatest harm there.
p. 182
dans toutes les villes de province ou it y a chambre syndicale et meme a Paris, sans aucune precaution, et jamais ii n' y a eu aucun empechement.
in all the provincial towns where there is a chambre syndicale and even in Paris, without any precaution, and there was never any obstacle whatsoever.
p. 183 — Pourparlers for Peace
et serons surs de placer un beau coup plus grand nombre en France des que cet ouvrage aura un cours libre en France, dont il sera aise de l'obtenir, puisque la moisson des Encyclopedistes in-quarto est faite.
and we shall be certain of placing a much greater number in France as soon as this work has free circulation in France, which it will be easy to obtain, since the harvest of the quarto Encyclopedists is done.
p. 184 — Pourparlers for Peace
la chose vaudra la peine que nous y employons ce que nous avons d 'amis et de credit a Paris.
the matter will be worth [us] employing whatever friends and credit we have in Paris.
p. 184 — Pourparlers for Peace
leur moisson est faite; ils paraissent inclines a nous permettre de glaner a pres eux.
their harvest is done; they appear inclined to allow us to glean after them.
p. 184 — Pourparlers for Peace
Le public a bien accueilli la premiere edition [octavo], et l'on nous fait de toutes parts des instances en France pour cet ouvrage, qui nous sont un hon garant de l 'ecoulement de la seconde. L 'un de nous pourra faire le voyage pour renouveller les anciennes souscriptions et en acquerir des nouvelles.
The public has received the first [octavo] edition very favourably, and we are pressed from all quarters in France for this work, which is a good guarantee to us of the sale of the second. One of us will be able to make the journey to renew the old subscriptions and to acquire new ones.
p. 185 — Pourparlers for Peace
Tableau de l 'entre prise
Statement of the enterprise [i.e. financial prospectus of the venture]
p. 185 — Pourparlers for Peace
Pour la reimpression de 3,000 exemplaires en 36 volumes de discours et 3 volumes de planches, les frais d 'impression, gravure, etc., total environ ......... . 280,000 livres
Ajoutons pour faux frais ........................ . 20,000
300,000
Le produit des 3,000 exemplaires, deduction faite du 25% [for the booksellers' discount] et le 13eme gratis [for bakers' dozens] sera ....................... . 450,000 livres
Par consequent on aura 150,000 livres de France de benefice.
For the reprinting of 3,000 copies in 36 volumes of text and 3 volumes of plates, the costs of printing, engraving, etc., total approximately 280,000 livres. Add for incidental expenses 20,000 [livres, making a total of] 300,000 [livres]. The receipts from the 3,000 copies, after deduction of 25% [for the booksellers' discount] and the 13th copy free [for bakers' dozens], will be 450,000 livres. Consequently one will have 150,000 livres tournois in profit.
p. 185 — Pourparlers for Peace
bien inferieur
greatly inferior
p. 186 — Pourparlers for Peace
notre delicatesse ne nous per mettant pas de prendre aucun parti a ce sujet avant cette epoque.
our sense of propriety not allowing us to take any position on this matter before that time.
p. 186 — Pourparlers for Peace
Si je pouvais etre jaloux, je le serais de vous: il n'est pas jusqu'a nos petits enfants qui n'estropient un peu votre nom pour parler de vous, et le petit homme se vante d 'avoir gagne aux quilles le grand Monsieur qui etait tant bon.
If I could be jealous, I would be of you: even our little children mangle your name a little when they speak of you, and the little fellow boasts of having beaten at skittles the great Gentleman who was so very kind.
p. 187 — Pourparlers for Peace
C 'est notre Societe qui vous y a fait penser; c 'est elle qui vous l 'a proposee; c 'est a elle que vous avez demande des details pour voir si l 'entreprise etait faisable. Elle se confie a vous comme a un allie; elle vous detaille son projet, le gain qu 'elle en espere, les frais qu 'il exige, etc.; et des que vous le savez, vous faites de sa confiance un piege. Elle ne pense pas que vous en ayez agi avec franchise et comme un associe.
It is our Society that made you think of it; it is she who proposed it to you; it is to her that you asked for details to see whether the enterprise was feasible. She confides in you as in an ally; she details her project to you, the profit she hopes from it, the costs it requires, etc.; and as soon as you know it, you turn her trust into a trap. She does not think that you have acted frankly or as a partner.
p. 187 — Pourparlers for Peace
Deja je voyais dans le lointain le moment ou j 'acheterais une cabane solitaire, un verger, un petit champ, ou j'irais m'y egayer avec ma famille. Puis vous souffiez sur ce reve de bonheur. Ah! ce n 'est pas vous qui deviez le faire evanouir !
Already I could see in the distance the moment when I would buy a solitary cottage, an orchard, a small field, where I would go to enjoy myself with my family. Then you blow upon this dream of happiness. Ah! it is not you who should have made it vanish!
p. 187 — Pourparlers for Peace
Voyez, pesez, jugez, je ne dirai rien de plus; je voudrais oublier cette affaire desagreable.
Look, weigh [the matter], judge, I will say nothing more; I would like to forget this disagreeable affair.
p. 188 — Pourparlers for Peace
l 'enclume et le marteau.
the anvil and the hammer.
p. 188 — Pourparlers for Peace
votre situation ... facheuse.
your... unfortunate situation.
p. 188 — A Drole de Paix
Soyez surs que I 'in-octavo ... n 'entrera pas en France. Le Magistrat me l 'a renouvelle de nouveau.
Be assured that the octavo... will not enter France. The Magistrate has renewed [this assurance] to me again.
p. 188 — A Drole de Paix
Duplain vient de m 'ecrire qu 'il etait la veille de traiter avec les Lausannois, qui lui offraient mille louis pour l 'entree en France. J e lui ai mande sur le champ de ne rien faire, puisque pour une somme modique ce serait nous enlever toutes les esperances de l 'Encyclopedie methodique, laquelle on travaille a force et dont la partie physique est ml\me sous presse. Comme M. Duplain est alle tres en avant avec ces Messieurs de Lausanne, que sa lettre semble ml\me annoncer un rendez-vous, je vous prie en grace, Messieurs, de veiller sur tout ce qui passera.
Duplain has just written to me that he was on the eve of making a deal with the Lausannois, who were offering him a thousand louis for entry into France. I immediately sent word to him to do nothing, since for a modest sum it would deprive us of all hopes for the Encyclopédie méthodique, on which work is proceeding with full force and whose section on natural science is even in press. Since M. Duplain has gone very far with these Gentlemen of Lausanne, and since his letter even seems to announce a meeting, I beg you earnestly, Gentlemen, to keep watch over everything that passes.
p. 188 — A Drole de Paix
A Drole de Paix
A Strange Sort of Peace
p. 189 — A Drole de Paix
traite
treaty
p. 189 — A Drole de Paix
reglements de compte
settlements of accounts
p. 190 — A Drole de Paix
L 'Encyclopedie in-octavo qu 'impriment les Societes typographiques de Berne et de Lausanne, page pour page apres l'edition in-quarto par Pellet a Geneve, ayant regu l 'accueil le plus favorable, elles ouvrent une nouvelle souscription, raison de 5 livres de France le volume de discours (il y en aura 36) et de 15 livres chacun des 3 volumes de planches, [making 225 livres in all] comme on peut voir plus au long dans leurs Prospectus. Pour cette deuxieme edition, on delivrera les volumes de discours depuis 1 a 20 par 5 volumes a la fois, et depuis 21 a 36 par 2 volumes. On paye en souscrivant chez lesdites societes et les principaux libraires 6 livres de France et 25 livres en recevant les 5 premiers volumes, qui paraitront au plus tard au mois d'aout prochain, apres quoi la souscription sera fermee et chaque volume se vendra 6 livres de France. L 'ouvrage entier sera termine dans le courant de juin 1781.
The octavo Encyclopédie printed by the Typographical Societies of Berne and Lausanne, page for page after the quarto edition by Pellet in Geneva, having met with the most favourable reception, they are opening a new subscription at the rate of 5 livres tournois per text volume (there will be 36) and 15 livres each for the 3 volumes of plates [making 225 livres in all], as may be seen in greater detail in their Prospectuses. For this second edition, the text volumes from 1 to 20 will be delivered 5 volumes at a time, and from 21 to 36, 2 volumes at a time. One pays upon subscribing at the said societies and the principal booksellers 6 livres tournois and 25 livres upon receiving the first 5 volumes, which will appear at the latest in the coming month of August, after which the subscription will be closed and each volume will be sold for 6 livres tournois. The entire work will be completed during the course of June 1781.
p. 191 — A Drole de Paix
L 'ENCY CLO PED IE, in-octavo, edition de Lausanne, en trente six volumes de Discours et trois de Planches. Cette edition aussi complete que celle connue sous le nom de Pellet, est pour vous, Monsieur, du prix de 168 livres 15 sols, et le treizieme exemplaire gratis, en feuilles. Le prix pour le particulier est de 225 livres, de sorte que votre remise est plus d 'un quart. 11 en parait actuellement 26 volumes de discours et un de planches. Toute cette edition sera finie au mois d 'avril prochain. Pour ce seul article, je tirerai en expediant un an et quinze mois. Le prix de chaque volume de discours est de 3 livres 15 sols et le volume de planches 11 livres 15 sols. Je ne ferai que deux livraisons pour eviter l 'embarras ... 11 n 'y a jamais eu de livre donne a meilleur compte.
THE ENCYCLOPÉDIE, octavo, Lausanne edition, in thirty-six volumes of Text and three of Plates. This edition, as complete as that known under the name of Pellet, is available to you, Sir, at the price of 168 livres 15 sous, with the thirteenth copy free, in sheets. The retail price is 225 livres, so that your discount is more than a quarter. There are currently 26 text volumes and one volume of plates available. The entire edition will be finished by next April. For this item alone, I will continue dispatching for a year and fifteen months. The price of each text volume is 3 livres 15 sous and the volume of plates 11 livres 15 sous. I will make only two deliveries to avoid complications... There has never been a book offered at a better price.
p. 192 — A Drole de Paix
Vous vous plaignez de l 'in-octavo de Lausanne, mais vous avez partage les mille louis qu 'ils ont donne pour entrer en France. Vous ignorez done que dans l 'acte passe avec Duplain il est convenu que j 'en ferais entrer cinq cent a Paris; et puisqu 'il fallait remplir cet engagement, j 'ai cru devoir en prendre en paye ment et les servir. Si je ne l'eusse pas fait, un autre l'eut fait a ma place, et nous n 'y eussions rien gagne.
You complain about the Lausanne octavo, but you shared in the thousand louis that they paid to enter France. Are you then unaware that in the agreement made with Duplain it was agreed that I would get five hundred of them into Paris; and since it was necessary to fulfil that commitment, I thought I should take them as payment and supply them. If I had not done so, another would have done so in my place, and we would have gained nothing from it.
p. 192 — A Drole de Paix
coup de theatre
a theatrical stroke [i.e. a dramatic move]
p. 192 — A Drole de Paix
sale coup
dirty trick
BOOKMAKING
p. 194 — Strains on the Production System
la plus belle [entreprise] qui ait ete faite en librairie.
the most beautiful [enterprise] that has ever been undertaken in the book trade.
p. 195 — Strains on the Production System
Pellet, qui n 'est qu 'un simple imprimeur, est un prete-nom pour nous
Pellet, who is only a simple printer, is a front man for us
p. 195 — Strains on the Production System
Celui-ci [Pellet] n 'etait que notre commissionnaire, charge de notre part d 'imprimer quelques volumes ... Pellet avait commission aussi de collecter des souscriptions, et c 'est la a quoi tout son interet a ete reduit.
This one [Pellet] was only our agent, charged on our behalf with printing a few volumes ... Pellet also had a commission to collect subscriptions, and that is what his entire interest was reduced to.
p. 196 — Strains on the Production System
II y a environ 40 presses qui travaillent a cet ouvrage, tant ici [Lyons]qu'a Grenoble et Trevoux ... A la reserve de quelques usages, l 'on n 'imprime ici autre chose, et dans tou tes les irnprirneries, que l' Encyclopedie a quarto ... Quiconque avait un certain argent rnettre tous les mois ou tousles ans sur des livres, l'a place sur l'Encyclopedie quarto.
There are approximately 40 presses working on this work, both here [Lyons] and in Grenoble and Trévoux ... Apart from a few routine jobs, nothing is printed here, in any of the printing shops, except the quarto Encyclopédie ... Whoever had a certain amount of money to put each month or each year into books has placed it in the quarto Encyclopédie.
p. 196 — Strains on the Production System
II sollicite pour en obtenir la permission a Lyon, et je sais qu'il ne I'obtiendra pas.
He is petitioning to obtain permission to [print] in Lyon, and I know that he will not obtain it.
p. 196 — Strains on the Production System
A force de sollicitations on a obtenu d 'imprimer quelques volumes a Lyon.
Through persistent petitioning, permission has been obtained to print a few volumes in Lyon.
p. 196 — Strains on the Production System
Voici !'enumeration des presses que nous avons sur la troisieme edition: 6 chez Belivre, 4 chez Labbe ( T), 4 chez Chavanne, 6 chez Vatan, 8 a Trevoux, 4 chez Goeri, 3 chez Degoutte, 6 chez Pellet sous 15 jours, 3 chez Cuty, 9 chez Cuchet.
Here is the enumeration of the presses we have working on the third edition: 6 at Belivre's, 4 at Labbe's (T), 4 at Chavanne's, 6 at Vatan's, 8 at Trévoux, 4 at Goeri's, 3 at Degoutte's, 6 at Pellet's within 15 days, 3 at Cuty's, 9 at Cuchet's.
p. 197 — Strains on the Production System
Vous aviez garanti, Messieurs, pour l 'impression du Dictionnaire encyclopedique un beau pap ier, un caractere neuf. Cette promesse, permettez-moi de vous le dire, n'a pas eu son entiere execution, car le papier est generalement defectueux et le caractere presqu' eteint, ce qui fatigue beaucoup les yeux du lecteur. Des ouvrages de ce genre, faits pour vivre eternellement, meritent qu'on y apporte un peu plus d'attention. La majeure partie des f euilles sont maculees ou dechirees. Vous sentez, Messieurs, que ces negligences de la part de vos ouvriers ne peuvent etre que prejudiciables a vos interets, en degoutant le public des nouvelles souscriptions a ouvrir.
You had guaranteed, Gentlemen, for the printing of the Encyclopedic Dictionary, fine paper and new type. This promise, allow me to say, has not been entirely fulfilled, for the paper is generally defective and the type almost worn out, which greatly tires the reader's eyes. Works of this kind, made to endure forever, deserve that a little more attention be paid to them. The greater part of the sheets are stained or torn. You understand, Gentlemen, that such negligence on the part of your workers can only be prejudicial to your interests, by discouraging the public from [taking out] new subscriptions.
p. 197 — Strains on the Production System
tousles papiers sont tires d'Auvergne, et on n 'emploie que des caracteres de France, qui seront renouveles a pres le tirage de chaque cinquieme volume.
all the papers are drawn from Auvergne, and only type from France is used, which will be renewed after the printing of every fifth volume.
p. 199 — Strains on the Production System
Employez-vons de l 'encre de Paris' II n'en faut pas d'autre et vous adresser a Messieurs Prevost-Langlois, l'un et a l 'autre marchand d 'encre Paris, sans autre adresse.
Use Paris ink — no other kind is needed — and apply to Messieurs Prevost and Langlois, both ink merchants in Paris, at that address alone.
p. 202 — Procuring Paper
feuilles d'edition
edition sheets [i.e., the cost of producing all copies of one sheet]
p. 202 — Procuring Paper
feuille d'edition
edition sheet
p. 202 — Procuring Paper
feuille d 'edition
edition sheet
p. 204 — Procuring Paper
Ne comtez point sur nous pour des pa piers. C 'est la chose impossible.
Do not count on us for paper at all. It is an impossible thing.
p. 204 — Procuring Paper
Nous avons ete visiter tous nos marchands de papier ... mais nous n'avons pas trouve une seule rame de papier de la qualite que vous demandez. M. Duplain enleve tout.
We went to visit all our paper merchants ... but we did not find a single ream of paper of the quality you require. M. Duplain is buying up everything.
p. 204 — Procuring Paper
Ces papiers sont tres rares actuellement et augmentes par la recherche que M. Duplain en fait faire dans toutes Jes fabriques. Vous vous y prenez trop tard, n 'etant pas dans la saison.
This paper is very scarce at present and [the price] driven up by the searching that M. Duplain has done for it in all the mills. You are coming to it too late, as it is not the season.
Bookmaking
p. 217
Nous venons d'apprendre une nouvelle trop importante pour vous, Messieurs, concernant l 'Encyclopedie pour ne pas vous en donner avis. M. Cramer, libraire, vient de sortir de chez nous, nous a assure qu'ayant confronte !'edition in-quarto qui se fait ici avec la sienne in-folio, il a trouve qu 'outre les retranchements qu 'occasionnent naturellement !'omission des figures il y en a beaucoup d'autres, que cela venait sftrement de ce que les libraires avaient promis ! 'edition in-quarto en 33 volumes et que chassant davantage qu 'ils n 'avaient cru d 'abord ils se sont crus obliges de faire plus de volumes ou d 'y remedier en tronquant leur edition. Ils ont choisi le dernier parti. Vous ferez, Messieurs, le cas que vous jugerez a propos de cet avis. Nous l 'avons crude trop de consequence pour ne pas vous le marquer.
We have just learned a piece of news too important for you, Gentlemen, concerning the Encyclopédie, not to inform you of it. M. Cramer, bookseller, has just left our premises [and] assured us that, having compared the quarto edition being produced here with his own folio edition, he found that beyond the cuts naturally occasioned by the omission of the plates there are many others, [and] that this certainly stemmed from the fact that the booksellers had promised the quarto edition in 33 volumes and that, printing more than they had initially believed, they felt obliged either to make more volumes or to remedy the situation by truncating their edition. They chose the latter course. You will make of this notice, Gentlemen, whatever judgment you see fit. We thought it too consequential not to bring it to your attention.
p. 218
On nous force de gater l 'ouvrage. Depuis le 20eme volume I 'article du Dictionnaire, nous y joignons celui des Supplements, qui disent souvent la meme chose. Mais "chat echaude craint l 'eau froide." 11 est essentiel selon M. Duplain et ses associes qu 'on ne trouve aucune suppression. A vec ce systeme nous nous serions evite bien des peines. On ne voulait d 'abord que 32 volumes de 100 feuilles. 11 fallait done supprimer. L 'on m 'a fait un crime de n 'avoir point tente I 'impossible. Aujourd 'hui que I 'on donnera de 39 40 volumes, il faut autant qu 'il sera possible tout conserver ... Je sens comme vous combien cette marche est vicieuse, mais nous sommes forces de la suivre.
We are being forced to spoil the work. From the 20th volume onward, alongside the article from the Dictionary we add that from the Supplements, which often say the same thing. But "a scalded cat fears cold water." It is essential, according to M. Duplain and his associates, that no suppression be found. With this system we would have spared ourselves a great deal of trouble. At first only 32 volumes of 100 sheets were wanted. It was therefore necessary to cut. I was blamed as if it were a crime not to have attempted the impossible. Today, when [the edition] will run to 39 [or] 40 volumes, one must preserve everything as much as possible… I feel, as you do, how vicious this course is, but we are forced to follow it.
p. 218
J e vous proteste que depuis le 9eme volume, il n 'en est aucun qui n 'ait ete prelu par quatre personnes differentes, dont une est entierement occupee a verifier les citations, presque toujours defectueuses. II echappe des fautes malgre ces precautions. Mais c 'est une suite necessaire de la precipitation avec !aquelle on est oblige de travailler . . . J 'ai renvoye a la Description [des arts] de M. Bertrand dans presque tous Jes articles d 'arts et metiers, et c 'est encore une des choses qui nous a ete reproche par Jes censeurs que l 'env:e a armes rontre nous.
I assure you that from the 9th volume onward, there is not a single one that has not been read through by four different persons, one of whom is entirely occupied with verifying the citations, which are almost always defective. Errors slip through despite these precautions. But this is a necessary consequence of the haste with which one is obliged to work… I referred [readers] to M. Bertrand's Description [des arts] in almost all the articles on arts and crafts, and this is yet another of the things for which we have been reproached by the censors whom envy has armed against us.
p. 219
A mesure que notre 19eme volume 3eme edition avance, nous y remarquons un si grand nombre de fautes et de fautes si lourdes qu'il ne nous est pas possible de les digerer de [sang] froid. D 'abord ce volume ne renferme aucune correction nouvelle de ce qui se .trouvait de fautif dans les precedentes editions, en sorte que les 1,000 ecus alloues en supplement de salaire a notre abbe sont a pure perte; mais ce qui est pire encore, nous voyons des fautes nouvelles que nous ne pouvons retablir qu'a l'aide de la premiere edition folio. Voila de quoi faire epanouir la rate aux journalistes anti-Encyclopedistes. Cependant ce bel ouvrage porte en titre le nom de notre Societe. On ne manquera pas de nous en faire des reproches. 11 faudra nous justifier aux depens de qui il appartiendra.
As our 19th volume of the 3rd edition advances, we notice in it such a large number of errors, and errors so gross, that it is impossible for us to digest them in cold blood. To begin with, this volume contains not a single new correction of what was found to be faulty in the previous editions, so that the 1,000 écus allocated as a salary supplement to our abbé are pure waste; but what is worse still, we see new errors that we can only restore with the help of the first folio edition. Here is enough to make the anti-Encyclopedist journalists' spleens burst with delight. Yet this fine work bears the name of our Society on its title page. Reproaches will not fail to be directed at us. We will have to justify ourselves at the expense of whoever is responsible.
p. 221 — Recruiting Workers
Il serait bon qu'ils fussent assortis, c'est-a-dire tant de compositeurs, tant de pressiers,
It would be good if they were matched [as a set], that is to say so many compositors, so many pressmen,
p. 221 — Recruiting Workers
Nous cherchons des ouvriers par mer et parterre. Si M. Boniface, qui va furetant partout, pouvait nous procurer, enrOler et expedier diligemment 3 compositeurs et 3 pressiers, aussi jolis gar<}ons que possible, nous lui en serions vraiment fort obliges, fussent-ils meme au nombre de 4 de chaque espece. Il pourrait leur promettre a chacun 1 louis pour le voyage. Nous avons accoutume [sic] de ne le payer qu'apres un mois de residence, mais il n 'est pas necessaire de leur dire cette particularite-la. Il peut encore les assurer que s 'ils travaillent ici de suite pendant un an, et mieux encore jusqu'a la fin de l'impression de notre Encyclopedie, qui doit aller a 2 or 3 ans, nous leur allouerons tres certainement une recompense dont ils auront lieu d'etre contents.
We are seeking workers by sea and by land. If M. Boniface, who goes ferreting about everywhere, could procure for us, enlist, and diligently dispatch 3 compositors and 3 pressmen, as fine fellows as possible, we would be truly very much obliged to him, even if they numbered 4 of each kind. He could promise each of them 1 louis for the journey. We are accustomed to paying it only after a month's residence, but it is not necessary to tell them that particular detail. He can also assure them that if they work here continuously for a year, and better still until the end of the printing of our Encyclopédie, which should last 2 or 3 years, we will most certainly grant them a reward with which they will have reason to be satisfied.
p. 222 — Recruiting Workers
Il est diligent et habile, ce qu 'on dit; mais ce qu'il ya de sur, c'est qu'il est faineant et ivrogne.
He is diligent and skilled, or so they say; but what is certain is that he is lazy and a drunkard.
p. 222 — Recruiting Workers
Et par rapport a ce dernier, qu'on m'a assure etre hon ouvrier, je vous prie de ne lui donner jamais rien d'avance. Son pere m'a <lit qu'il etait un peu faineant.
And as for this last one, whom I have been assured is a good worker, I beg you never to give him anything in advance. His father told me that he was a little lazy.
p. 222 — Recruiting Workers
Il nous en a adresse une couple en si mauvais etat que nous avons ete obliges de les renvoyer.
He sent us a couple of them in such poor condition that we were obliged to send them back.
p. 222 — Recruiting Workers
Qu'y a-t-il de plus simple que de choisir 6 hons pressiers sur votre nombre et renvoyer les autres, qui refluant ailleurs nous procureront plus de pouvoir sur une race effrenee et indisciplinable dont nous ne pouvons jouir ?
What could be simpler than to choose 6 good pressmen from your number and dismiss the others, who, flowing back elsewhere, will give us more power over an unbridled and undisciplinable breed over whom we can have no [proper] hold?
p. 223 — Recruiting Workers
Ces Messieurs choisissent un cabaret qui leur sert de tripot. 11 y a dans ce tripot toujours compagnie, on y debite toutes les nouvelles de l 'imprimerie. On sait l 'et at des prix, on prend des mesures pour ne les point laisser tomber, on parle du gain excessif des maitres, et l 'on peut juger comme on les habille. 11 y a de quoi faire de bonnes copies. Aussi ne les menage-t-on pas beaucoup. On y apprend les places vacantes. 11 y a, dit-on, un ouvrage qui va commencer; il faut taut de compositeurs. On endoctrine les nouveaux venus sur l 'etat des prix, et on leur recommande surtout d'etre fideles a la societe et de defendre les prix. Quelques uns en ont un etat ecrit. En voici copie fidele.
These gentlemen choose a tavern that serves them as a gaming house. In this gaming house there is always company; all the news of the printing trade is exchanged there. The state of wages is known, measures are taken not to let them fall, the excessive profits of the masters are discussed, and one can imagine how they are dressed down. There is enough there to make good copy. Indeed, they are not spared much. Vacant positions are learned there. There is, they say, a work about to begin; so many compositors are needed. The newcomers are indoctrinated about the state of wages, and they are urged above all to be loyal to the [workers'] association and to hold the line on wages. Some of them have a written statement of this. Here is a faithful copy [of it].
p. 223 — Recruiting Workers
Premierement le gros Romain in 4°, in 8° et in 12 se paie ... 3 llivres] 10 [sous]. Le meme avec des notes et des additions ... 4 [livres] 10 [sous].
First, large Roman type in quarto, octavo, and duodecimo is paid … 3 [livres] 10 [sous]. The same with notes and additions … 4 [livres] 10 [sous].
p. 224 — Recruiting Workers
Les ouvriers sont ici d 'une rarete extreme. Tachez de vous en procurer de vos cotes.
Workers here are extremely scarce. Try to procure some from your own side.
p. 224 — Recruiting Workers
C 'est precisement sur cet appointement qu 'ils insistent, parce qu 'ils ne veulent pas quitter un endroit ou ils sont bien, si ce n 'est pour trouver mieux.
It is precisely on this salary advantage that they insist, because they do not want to leave a place where they are comfortable unless it is to find something better.
p. 224 — Recruiting Workers
Vu Pfaeler le cadet qui m 'a accompagne dans leur imprimerie, ou j 'ai trouve Christ et Brose de ceux qui nous ont quitte avec lui. II ne s 'est pu empecher de divulguer [notre] imprimerie par devant moi. Je l'ai fait taire, mais ii n 'en faut pas davantage pour engager Jes autres ne point y venir.
Saw young Pfaeler who accompanied me into their printing house, where I found Christ and Brose among those who left us with him. He could not help himself from speaking disparagingly of [our] printing house in front of me. I silenced him, but it takes no more than that to discourage the others from coming there.
p. 225 — Recruiting Workers
Deux de ceux que vous nous avez addresses nous sont arrives mais malades au point d'infecter, en sorte que nous n'avons pules occuper. Personne n 'a voulu les loger. Ils sont repartis et ont pris la route de Besan<;on pour se rendre a l 'hopital et y chercher du soulagement.
Two of those you sent us arrived but were so ill as to be infectious, so that we were unable to employ them. No one was willing to lodge them. They left again and took the road to Besançon to go to the hospital and seek relief there.
p. 225 — Recruiting Workers
un nomme La France et son compagnon dont on a ete tres content en cette ville
a man named La France and his companion, with whom people were very pleased in this city
p. 225 — Recruiting Workers
Nous craignons qu 'il ne se serve de cet argent pour aller ailleurs, ou il exigera peut-etre encore des frais de voyage,
We fear that he will use this money to go elsewhere, where he will perhaps again demand travel expenses,
p. 227 — Recruiting Workers
Je ne donne point le voyage a M. Maltete, et comme je n 'ai rien paye, je ne payerai rien,
I am not giving the travel money to M. Maltete, and since I have paid nothing, I will pay nothing,
p. 227 — Recruiting Workers
Il fait [sic] tout plein d'eloge de vous et s 'attribue a lui-meme toutes les fautes qu 'il a faites.
He [speaks] with nothing but praise of you and attributes to himself all the faults he committed.
p. 227 — Recruiting Workers
J'ai paye a M. Erb [probably the "Bergue" whom Pyre had mentioned as Jean's traveling eompanion in a letter of July 2) pour voyage 42 batz. Je les avais retires de M. Jean, venu de Paris et parti pour Yverdon.
I paid M. Erb [probably the 'Bergue' whom Pyre had mentioned as Jean's traveling companion in a letter of July 2] for travel 42 batzen. I had reclaimed them from M. Jean, who came from Paris and left for Yverdon.
p. 228 — Recruiting Workers
On ne saurait mettre sur la rue du jour au lendemain des gens qui ont femme et enfants.
One cannot put out onto the street overnight people who have a wife and children.
p. 228 — Recruiting Workers
Vous connaissez aussi bien que moi ce que c 'est que d'etre expose aux caprices des ouvriers. J 'en ai un qui est tomb e malade et un autre qui, par son inconduite, a ete oblige de s 'exiler de la ville.
You know as well as I do what it is to be exposed to the whims of workers. I have one who has fallen ill and another who, through his misconduct, has been obliged to exile himself from the city.
p. 228 — Recruiting Workers
La vente ... est totalement morte et de nouveaux correspondants-car la majeure partie [of the old ones] a fait banqueroute--ne payent rien, et les bons ne demandent plus rien ... Les magasins sont plus que remplis, et l 'on meurt de faim aupres ... Les seuls heureux sont ceux qui se seront trouves !es editeurs de 1 'Encyclopedie. Mais le temps en est passe actuellement pour Jes autres.
Sales… are completely dead and the new correspondents—for the greater part [of the old ones] have gone bankrupt—pay nothing, and the good ones no longer order anything… The warehouses are more than full, and one is dying of hunger beside them… The only fortunate ones are those who were the publishers of the Encyclopédie. But that time has now passed for the others.
p. 229 — Setting Wages
7 batz d'aumone au relieur
7 batz [given as] charity to the bookbinder
p. 229 — Setting Wages
aumone 3 batz 2 creuzer
charity 3 batz 2 creuzer
p. 229 — Setting Wages
pour aumone un ouvrier allemand 7 batz
for charity to a German worker, 7 batz
p. 229 — Setting Wages
un pauvre Allemand imprimeur 7 batz
a poor German printer, 7 batz
p. 229 — Setting Wages
La difficulte ne laisse pas que d'etre assez grande, parce que la plupart n'ont point d'argent, meme ceux qui sont assez ranges. Il s'en est presente plus de vingt, qui tons n'avaient pas un sou pour partir.
The difficulty is nonetheless quite considerable, because most of them have no money, even those who are fairly settled. More than twenty presented themselves, all of whom did not have a sou to leave with.
p. 229 — Setting Wages
C'est un bon ouvrier, qui a travaille du temps de M. Droz assez longtemps a Neuchatel, mais il vous faut dire que la vue et l'ouie commence lui manquer et que par sa viellesse il n'a plus la vitesse en composant qu'un jeune homme robuste. Mais comme vous ne lui payez que ce qu'il gagne [that is, piece rates], je vous supplie de le garder aussi longtemps, etant reduit par la grande misere ... un etat pitoyable.
He is a good worker, who worked for quite a long time in Neuchâtel in the time of M. Droz, but I must tell you that his sight and hearing are beginning to fail him and that on account of his old age he no longer has the speed in composing that a robust young man has. But since you pay him only what he earns [that is, piece rates], I beg you to keep him as long as possible, [as he has been] reduced by great poverty ... to a pitiful state.
p. 230 — Setting Wages
Cuchet imprime l'Encyclopedie. Le pauvre garçon a fait des frais immenses pour s'assortir. Il a fait faire 5 presses neuves, qui lui reviennent a 480 livres, dit-il, une fonte neuve. Il a deja fait le 7eme volume. Il fait a present le 19eme et a chez lui la copie pour le 27eme. Il croit qu'apres il sera encore a temps pour en faire un 4eme, ce que je doute, quoique je ne lui aie pas dit. Il a 9 presses dessus. Je n'ai pu savoir combien il paie les ouvriers, mais ce qu'il m'a dit, c'est qu'ayant fait des prix si bas avec M. Duplain, s'il n'a pas un 4eme volume a faire au bout de ses trois, il se trouvera avec beaucoup de presses qu'il ne pourra pas occuper, une fonte usee et point de benefice que la gloire d'avoir fait l'Encyclopedie in-quarto. Je ne sais pas quels sont ses prix. Ci-joint un echantillon de son impression, qui en general n'est pas absolument mal, mais vous remarquerez qu'il y a un cote mieux fait que l'autre. Au reste, c'est pris d'une feuille a l'aventure, sans qu'il s'en soit apperçu. J'ai ete fort bien garde chez lui. J'y ai reconnu quelques ouvriers qui ont travaille chez nous, auxquels je n'ai pas pu parler. Ses papiers me paraissent assez beaux et bien tires. Mais il ne peut rien gagner dessus.
Cuchet is printing the Encyclopédie. The poor fellow has gone to immense expense to equip himself. He has had 5 new presses made, which cost him 480 livres, he says, [and] a new font. He has already done the 7th volume. He is now doing the 19th and has at his premises the copy for the 27th. He believes that afterward he will still be in time to do a 4th [volume], which I doubt, although I did not tell him so. He has 9 presses on it. I was unable to find out how much he pays the workers, but what he told me is that having set such low prices with M. Duplain, if he does not have a 4th volume to do after his three, he will find himself with many presses he cannot keep occupied, a worn-out font, and no profit except the glory of having produced the quarto Encyclopédie. I do not know what his prices are. Enclosed is a sample of his printing, which in general is not absolutely bad, but you will notice that one side is better done than the other. Besides, it was taken from a sheet at random, without his noticing. I was very well received at his place. I recognized there several workers who worked for us, to whom I was not able to speak. His papers seem to me quite fine and well printed. But he cannot make anything on them.
p. 230 — Setting Wages
pour ne pas etre dupes de ces gens-la
so as not to be fooled by those people
p. 230 — Setting Wages
Il nous importe fort de savoir ce que l'on paie pour le 1000 de tirage et composition de chaque feuille de l'Encyclopedie chez Nouffer et Pellet. Veuillez nous l'apprendre. Il nous conviendrait de savoir en quel nombre on la tire.
It is very important for us to know what is paid per thousand [impressions] for the presswork and composition of each sheet of the Encyclopédie at Nouffer's and Pellet's. Please find this out for us. It would suit us to know what pressrun they are printing.
p. 231 — Setting Wages
J'ai revu quelques ouvriers, mais je ne sais qui les a si fort prevenus contre votre typographie. Vous avez sans doute des concurrents ennemis et jaloux; et il est, j'en conviens, fort disgracieux d'avoir a traiter avec une canaille depourvue de tout sentiment d'honneur. Cette semaine pourtant il part un compositeur entendant fort bien cette partie et le grec. Il est long [that is, lent] mais assidu, travaillant avec beaucoup de soin, ne rassemblant point aux barbouillons, qui m'avaient tous promis et qui se dedisent sans donner d'autres raisons que la mediocrite des prix. Pellet et Bassompierre, qui ont sous de fortes promesses seduit plusieurs de ces ouvriers et degarni les imprimeries des environs, ne veulent pourtant leur donner que quinze florins neuf sols de notre monnaie par feuille, le florin de 12 creuzer. Aussi une bonne partie veulent quitter, parce qu'ils demandent 17 florins la feuille. Celui qui part cette semaine en est un. Il se nomme Caisle. Il doit aussi partir deux pressiers, qui ont promis de venir me parler mais que je n'ai pas encore vu. On paie ici 4 florins le 1000 a la presse . . . Je ne perdrai pas de vue les occasions de vous adresser les mecontents de Messieurs Pellet et Bassompierre et Nouffer.
I have seen some workers again, but I do not know who has so strongly prejudiced them against your printing house. You doubtless have rival enemies and jealous competitors; and it is, I admit, very disagreeable to have to deal with a rabble devoid of all sense of honor. This week, however, a compositor is leaving who understands this branch very well, as well as Greek. He is slow [that is, slow] but diligent, working with great care, bearing no resemblance to the bunglers who had all promised me [their services] and who are backing out without giving any other reason than the meagerness of the pay. Pellet and Bassompierre, who with strong promises seduced several of these workers and stripped the surrounding printing houses [of their workers], are nonetheless willing to give them only fifteen florins nine sous of our currency per sheet, the florin being 12 creuzer. So a good number want to leave, because they are asking 17 florins per sheet. The one leaving this week is one of them. His name is Caisle. Two pressmen are also supposed to leave, who promised to come speak to me but whom I have not yet seen. Here one pays 4 florins per 1,000 at the press . . . I will not lose sight of opportunities to send you the discontented workers from Messrs. Pellet, Bassompierre, and Nouffer.
p. 231 — Setting Wages
Pellet tire pour sa part 4000 et 14 mains, Nouffer et Bassompierre autant. Voila ce que Bassompierre m'a assure et ce que m'ont confirme tous les ouvriers a qui j'en ai parle.
Pellet prints for his share 4,000 [copies] and 14 reams [of extra sheets], Nouffer and Bassompierre likewise. That is what Bassompierre assured me and what all the workers I spoke to about it confirmed.
p. 232 — Setting Wages
Vos ouvriers ont repandu plusieurs lettres dans les imprimeries de Geneve tendantes a engager les notres a se tourner de vos cotes; et pour mieux y reussir, ils leur ont donner l'espoir d'un voyage paye et de six sols par 1000 de plus qu'ils n'ont ici.
Nous avons arrete toutes les presses des principales imprimeries de Geneve, et meme elles rouleraient toutes des a present, si le besoin d'ouvriers ne nous avait pas reduit a 12. Si vous mettez une augmentation dans les prix, elle contribuera a les rendre plus rares dans un pays ou il est tres interessant qu'ils soient abondants pour la plus grande celerite des choses; parce que c'est la ou il est le plus possible d'avoir un aussi grand nombre de presses qu'on le desire. Votre augmentation de prix d'ailleurs pourrait les porter a cabaler pour l'obtenir ici. Vous jugez, Messieurs, combien une telle cabale nuirait a la celerite de l'ouvrage et a sa bonne fabrication; car si l'on ne
Your workers have circulated several letters in the printing houses of Geneva tending to induce ours to turn toward your side; and to better succeed in this, they have given them the hope of a paid journey and six sols per 1,000 more than they have here. We have set all the presses of the main printing houses of Geneva in motion, and they would all be running right now if the need for workers had not reduced us to 12. If you raise the wages, it will contribute to making workers scarcer in a country where it is very important that they be plentiful, for the greatest speed of operations; because it is there that it is most possible to have as large a number of presses as one desires. Your wage increase, moreover, could lead them to conspire to obtain it here. You will judge, gentlemen, how much such a conspiracy would harm the speed of the work and its good execution; for if one did not
p. 233 — Setting Wages
souscrivait pas leur demande, les places chez vous etant remplies, ils aimeraient mieux courir a Bale et Yverdon que de revenir ici, et nous aurions beaucoup de peine a en trouver autant qu'il nous en faudrait, la France meme etant depourvue. Il conviendrait beaucoup que votre imprimerie fut fermee a tous ouvriers venant de Geneve pour ne l'ouvrir qu'aux Allemands qui sont a votre proximite.
accede to their demand, [since] the positions at your place being filled, they would prefer to run off to Basel and Yverdon rather than come back here, and we would have great difficulty finding as many as we would need, France itself being short of them. It would be very advisable that your printing house be closed to all workers coming from Geneva, to be opened only to the Germans who are in your vicinity.
p. 233 — Setting Wages
Il est certainement tres essentiel que nous nous conformions pour les prix de cet ouvrage, vu que les ouvriers nous mettent les pieds sur la gorge (wrote Pellet). Votre prote ayant ecrit que vous payez 15 batz le mil et une gratification a la fin, voici, Messieurs ce que je paie, de meme que dans les autres imprimeries, savoir 15 florins en paquet et corrige [sic] premiere et seconde. Le prote corrige la troisieme. Le prote met en page, ayant trouve qu'il me revenait mieux compte, vu que l'on demandait 4 florins de mise en page et meme 5 florins. A la presse je paie 4 florins le mille, soit 12 batz, et a chaque feuille finie je leur donne 5 cruches, de sorte que la feuille entiere vient 97 batz et demi, le florin toujours 3 batz.
It is certainly very essential that we standardize the prices for this work, given that the workers are putting their feet on our throats [i.e., holding us at their mercy] (wrote Pellet). Your foreman having written that you pay 15 batz per thousand and a bonus at the end, here, gentlemen, is what I pay, as in the other printing houses, namely 15 florins for composition in quires and [proof]reading first and second [proofs]. The foreman corrects the third [proof]. The foreman does the imposition, having found that it worked out better for me, given that 4 florins were being asked for imposition and even 5 florins. At the press I pay 4 florins per thousand, that is 12 batz, and for each completed sheet I give them 5 cruches, so that the entire sheet comes to 97½ batz, the florin always [being] 3 batz.
p. 234 — Setting Wages
Pour satisfaire a vos desirs ... et dans l'esperance que vous vous conformiez exactement a nos prix, nous vous les donnons ci-bas ...
Pour la composition d'une feuille en paquet ff.15
Pour la mise en page [that is, imposition] 4
Pour le tirage a 4 [mille] 14 mains 32-6
Ensemble ff.51-6
Nous donnons le louis d'or neuf ff. 51 et par consequent l'ecu neuf a ff.12-9.
To satisfy your wishes ... and in the hope that you will conform exactly to our prices, we give them to you below ...
For the composition of a sheet in quires: ff.15
For imposition: 4
For the presswork at 4 [thousand] 14 reams: 32-6
Total: ff.51-6
We value the new louis d'or at ff. 51 and consequently the new écu at ff.12-9.
p. 235 — Setting Wages
feuille d'edition
edition sheet
p. 235 — Setting Wages
Composition de Genève ... 49-2
Mettage en page ... 8-2
ajoute au prix de Genève ... 1-
batz 59
Composition [rate] from Geneva ... 49-2
Imposition ... 8-2
added to the Geneva price ... 1-
batz 59
p. 235 — Setting Wages
louis d'or
louis d'or [a French gold coin]
p. 237 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
composition . . . 8 livres
presswork, at 2 livres 10 sous per thousand . . . 5
total ... 13
"etoffes" (overhead) ... 6-10
profit ... 5- 5
total cost ... 23-15
composition . . . 8 livres
presswork, at 2 livres 10 sous per thousand . . . 5
total ... 13
"overheads" (overhead) ... 6-10
profit ... 5-5
total cost ... 23-15
p. 237 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
remaniement . . . sur six paquets de l'Encyclopedie
resetting [corrections] . . . on six quires of the Encyclopédie
p. 239 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
Gaillard . . . une demie journee perdue ... 8 [batz] 3 creuzer
Gaillard . . . half a day lost . . . 8 [batz] 3 creuzer
p. 239 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
temps perdu
lost time
p. 240 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
On suppose 300 jours ouvrables dans l'annee, puisqu'on ne chome dans ces sortes de manufactures que les dimanches et fetes principales.
One assumes 300 working days in the year, since in these kinds of manufactories one only stops work on Sundays and the main feast days.
p. 240 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
une bouteille aux ouvriers ... 6 [sous]
a bottle for the workers . . . 6 [sous]
p. 240 — Pacing Work and Managing Labor
Pataud 5 jours ... 87 [batz] 2 [creuzer]
Pataud 5 days . . . 87 [batz] 2 [creuzer]
p. 241
Terme en usage parmi les compagnons-imprimeurs; ils appellent ainsi un manuscrit ou une copie imprimee formant une suite d'ouvrage considerable et capable de les entretenir longtemps dans une meme imprimerie.
Term in use among journeyman printers; they call [by this name] a manuscript or a printed copy forming a series of considerable work and capable of keeping them employed for a long time in the same printing house.
p. 242
ne pas laisser manquer les presses
not to let the presses run short [of work]
p. 242
Il nous faut 2 pressiers pour 1 compositeur.
We need 2 pressmen for every 1 compositor.
p. 245
quelques coquineries
some roguish misdeeds
p. 245
Pataux-Sale fait pour Huche, cinq marques . . . 18 [batz] 3 [creuzer].
Pataux — advance [wages] paid on behalf of Huche, five reams [of impressions] . . . 18 [batz] 3 [creuzer].
p. 246
complot odieux
odious plot
p. 246
J'entre dans le malheur d'un bourgeois qui ne peut tout faire lui-meme . . . Nous devons entre nous maitres imprimeurs nous prevenir de quelques coquins, qui sont parmi nos ouvriers.
I sympathize with the misfortune of a master [printer] who cannot do everything himself . . . We master printers must warn one another about certain scoundrels who are among our workmen.
p. 247
mauvaise compagnie
bad company
p. 247
Retenir a M. Kindelem toute sa banque.
To withhold from M. Kindelem all his week's wages.
p. 247 — Printing: Technology and the Human Element
Il y a plusieurs jours que nous avons avis de Geneve que votre volume est mal fait. Nous attribuions cela a la jalousie des ouvriers, qui de chez vous ont passe a Geneve. Mais nous avons ete bien etonnes a la reception de vos feuilles de voir que malgre qu'elles ont ete choisies, elles ont ete tirees par des ouvriers qui ne sont bons qu'a tirer de l'eau du puits et non le barreau. Nous voyons des bras enerves ou parasseux, qui distribuent sur leurs formes beaucoup d'encre pour avoir moins de peine a tirer. En un mot, ce que nous pouvons vous dire, Messieurs, c'est que si tout est comme cela notre entreprise en souffrira beaucoup. Votre prote, qui a du gout pour la composition, n'a donc jamais les yeux sur les presses. Nous ne vous dissimulerons pas que cela nous donne de grands regrets et qu'absolument nous ne donnerons aucun autre volume si la fin n'est pas mieux.
For several days we have had word from Geneva that your volume is badly made. We attributed this to the jealousy of the workmen who have passed from your shop to Geneva. But we were quite astonished upon receipt of your sheets to see that, despite the fact that they had been selected, they had been printed by workmen who are good for nothing but drawing water from a well and not [pulling] the bar [of the press]. We see arms enfeebled or lazy, which spread a great deal of ink on their formes so as to have less trouble pulling. In a word, what we can tell you, gentlemen, is that if everything is like this our enterprise will suffer greatly. Your foreman, who has a taste for composition, apparently never has his eyes on the presses. We will not conceal from you that this causes us great regret and that we will absolutely not give [you] any other volume if the end [of this one] is not better.
p. 248
GLOIRE a DIEU. Honneur au ROI. Salut aux ARMES.
GLORY to GOD. Honor to the KING. Salute to ARMS.
p. 252
Ainsi que nous l'avions prevu, Monsieur, l'examen attentif et detaille que nous venons de faire des quatre premiers volumes de l'Encyclopedie imprimes sous votre direction nous a mis meme d'y decouvrir tant de defautes de tant de sortes que nous en sommes profondement affliges et admirons toujours plus le style de votre dernier, en le comparant avec de tels chefs-d'oeuvre. Pages de beaucoup trop noires, d'autres et grand nombre blanches au point de n'etre presque pas lisibles, moines multiplies, pates, manque de registre, la premiere page lettre grise dont on ne se sert plus, titres et reglets differents, au tome 3 pagination fausse, double signature, les lettrines prises de plusieurs corps, l'algebre tres mal traite, toutes les lignes ou il y a du grec imprimees de travers etc. etc.
As we had foreseen, Monsieur, the attentive and detailed examination we have just made of the first four volumes of the Encyclopédie printed under your direction has even put us in a position to discover so many defects of so many kinds that we are deeply distressed and admire more and more the quality of your last [volume], when comparing it with such masterpieces [as the first four]. Pages far too dark, others — and a great number — white to the point of being almost unreadable, numerous monks [i.e., ink blots], pastings [i.e., smears], lack of register, the first page in grey letter which is no longer used, different titles and rules, in volume 3 false pagination, double signature, the drop capitals taken from several type sizes, the algebra very poorly handled, all the lines containing Greek printed askew, etc. etc.
p. 252
Mais ce qui nous a singulierement frappe, c'est que les caracteres ne sont point des memes que ceux dont nous nous sommes servis pour l'impression du 6eme volume, desquels nous etions convenus. Fideles a nos engagements sur ce point, nous avons prefere de differer notre travail de plusieurs mois plutot que d'y manquer en employant une fonte Philosophie toute neuve et tres ample dont nous etions pourvus. Cet article capital merite la plus grande attention de votre part, Monsieur; et s'il en resulte quelque dommage pour l'entreprise, bien plus que de nos pretendues feuilles trop noires, vous vous rapellerez, s'il vous plait, que nous vous en faisons aujourd'hui la remarque.
Quant aux defets, en voici une ample note, procedant principalement des feuilles dechires pour avoir ete l'emballement mal fait, d'autres dont le papier est devenu jaune, qui n'ont pas ete remplacees convenablement. Tout cela presente matiere a bien des reflections, mais en attendant nous ne recevons toujours point la copie promise et necessaire, et ne pouvons que vous representer encore qu'il est tres fort de vos interets de ne pas laisser chomer nos 11 presses, qui ne vous deplaise travaillent pour le moins aussi bien que beaucoup d'autres, et nous sommes d'ailleurs pourvus de fort beaux papiers . . . P.S. Les vignettes sont affreuses et mal tirees.
*But what has particularly struck us is that the typefaces are not at all the same as those we used for the printing of the 6th volume, which we had agreed upon. Faithful to our commitments on this point, we preferred to delay our work by several months rather than fail in this by using a completely new and very full Philosophy typeface with which we were supplied. This capital matter deserves your greatest attention, Monsieur; and if any damage to the enterprise results from it — far more than from our supposedly too-dark sheets — you will please recall that we are today bringing it to your attention.
As for the defects, here is a full note [of them], arising principally from sheets torn because the packing was badly done, and others whose paper has turned yellow and which have not been properly replaced. All of this gives much food for reflection, but in the meantime we still receive none of the promised and necessary copy, and can only represent to you once more that it is very much in your interest not to let our 11 presses stand idle — which, if you please, work at least as well as many others — and we are moreover supplied with very fine papers . . . P.S. The vignettes are dreadful and poorly printed.*
p. 252
Il faut en verite, Messieurs, que vous soyez aveugles pour qu'un ouvrage fait sous vos yeux sorte de vos mains avec autant d'imperfections. Votre tome 6 est abominable, et il l'est d'une maniere a ruiner la societe entiere si nous le donnons. Mais comme nous ne voulons pas qu'elle souffre de votre negligence et du peu de connaissance qu'ont les personnes a qui vous confiez la direction de votre imprimerie, nous vous prevenons qu'il est ici pour votre compte et qu'a aucun prix nous ne le prendrons. Quand votre caractere aurait servi dix ans, il ne sortirait pas aussi plein et aussi charbonne. Les ouvriers que vous avez employes n'ont cherche qu'a faire des feuilles, et pour aller plus vite et s'epargner la peine de tirer, ils
It must truly be, gentlemen, that you are blind for a work made before your very eyes to leave your hands with so many imperfections. Your volume 6 is abominable, and it is so in a manner that would ruin the entire [publishing] society if we were to distribute it. But as we do not wish [the society] to suffer from your negligence and the limited knowledge of those to whom you entrust the direction of your printing house, we inform you that it [volume 6] is here at your expense and that at no price will we accept it. Even if your type had been in use for ten years, it would not come out so full and so smudged. The workmen you employed sought only to produce sheets, and in order to go faster and spare themselves the trouble of pulling [the bar], they [fragment breaks off]
Diffusion
p. 264 — Managerial Problems and Polemics
Nous ne pouvons pas absolument en loger ni recevoir aucune feuille, a moins de nous chasser de chez nous et en meubler nos appartements.
We absolutely cannot house or receive any [more] sheets, unless we drive ourselves out of our premises and furnish our apartments with them.
p. 264 — Managerial Problems and Polemics
Nous avons bien eu l'honneur de vous observer que l'argent est ici d'une rarete affreuse, que nos libraires demandent du temps, et qu'enfin nous ne pouvons pas en faire sortir des pierres. Le train que nous menons a l'ouvrage exige une mise dehors laquelle nous ne comptions point.
We have indeed had the honor of pointing out to you that money is here in dreadful scarcity, that our booksellers are asking for time, and that in short we cannot get blood from a stone. The pace at which we are driving the work requires an outlay of cash which we had not reckoned upon.
p. 264 — Managerial Problems and Polemics
embarras dont nous sommes surcharges . . . la multiplicite des envois qui nous excedent. Il y a bientot six mois que Monsieur Duplain n'a pu mettre le pied a la rue.
difficulties with which we are overburdened ... the multiplicity of shipments which overwhelm us. It has been nearly six months since Monsieur Duplain has been able to set foot in the street.
p. 264 — Managerial Problems and Polemics
Nous nous debarrassons du detail de banque, et malgre cela nous sommes excedes, malgre 15 personnes que nous avons au moins.
We are ridding ourselves of the banking detail, and despite that we are overwhelmed, despite the at least 15 people we have.
p. 264 — Managerial Problems and Polemics
Quelques libraires que j'ai vus m'ont dit avoir recu bien des reprises des volumes pour des autres et avec cela quantite de feuilles tres mal propres avec beaucoup de defectuosite. Il me parait qu'il [Duplain] a trop peu de monde, car il n'a de commis que les deux freres Le Roy, un teneur de livres, et Le Roy l'aine est presque toujours envoy-
Several booksellers I have seen told me they have received many volumes meant for others, and along with that a quantity of sheets in very bad condition with many defects. It seems to me that he [Duplain] has too few staff, for he has as clerks only the two Le Roy brothers, a bookkeeper, and Le Roy the elder is almost always sent—
p. 265
En magasin il a deux assembleurs, trois femmes pour collationner et son domestique pour mettre de cote etc.
In the warehouse he has two collators, three women to collate and his servant to set aside [copies], etc.
p. 265
Nous vous dirons qu'il faut faire collationner avant d'envoyer, que notre monde acheve les tomes 21, 22, 23 [that is, of the first two editions], vient de finir 3 et 4 [of the third edition], qui sont partis, va se mettre sur 24, 25, 26 et apres sur 5, 6, 7, 8. Vous rendez bien peu de justice a notre travail immense, et vous calculez bien peu son etendue. Ignorez-vous qu'il faut collationner pres de 1800 rames sur chaque volume?
We will tell you that one must collate before sending, that our people [are finishing] volumes 21, 22, 23 [that is, of the first two editions], have just finished 3 and 4 [of the third edition], which have gone out, [and] are going to set to work on 24, 25, 26 and afterwards on 5, 6, 7, 8. You do very little justice to our immense labour, and you calculate very little its extent. Are you unaware that one must collate nearly 1,800 reams for each volume?
p. 265
Les libraires de cette ville qui ont pris de cette 3eme edition se recrient tres fortement de ce que M. Duplain veut leur expedier indifferemment des volumes pris du milieu du corps de l'ouvrage. Ils ne les payeront pas a 90 jours de date, parce qu'il arrivera que le souscripteur qui aura recu les deux premiers volumes ne se souciera pas [d'avoir] a present le 12eme ou 14eme sans avoir les entredeux, et le laissera sans le payer chez le libraire, qui ne sera pas moins oblige de le payer, ce qui mettra ledit libraire dans le cas de faire de fortes avances, auxquelles la moitie d'entre eux ne pourront pas suffire. Ils ont deja mille peines de retirer ou faire retirer ceux qui leur viennent par ordre, car je suis persuade d'apres ce que j'ai vu que la moitie de ce qui a paru jusqu'a present est encore a retirer du particulier. Le libraire ne l'a pas moins paye. Ils concluent de la que M. Duplain a envie dans cette marche d'aller plus vite. Or ils trouvent qu'il va deja trop vite, qu'il ferait beaucoup mieux de se presser moins et avoir plus de gout dans le choix de ses imprimeurs, car le public est tres malcontent d'une partie des volumes qu'il a deja livres.
The booksellers of this city who have taken [copies of] this 3rd edition are complaining very loudly that Mr. Duplain wants to ship them indiscriminately volumes taken from the middle of the body of the work. They will not pay for them at 90 days from date, because it will happen that the subscriber who has received the first two volumes will not care [to have] right now the 12th or 14th without having the ones in between, and will leave it unpaid at the bookseller's, who will be no less obliged to pay for it, which will put said bookseller in the position of making large advances, which half of them will not be able to manage. They already have great difficulty collecting, or having collected, those that come to them by order, for I am persuaded from what I have seen that half of what has appeared up to now has yet to be collected from private individuals. The bookseller has nonetheless paid for it. They conclude from this that Mr. Duplain is eager in this course to go faster. Now they find that he is already going too fast, that he would do much better to hurry less and to have more taste in the choice of his printers, for the public is very displeased with a portion of the volumes he has already delivered.
p. 266
Brigandage typographique d'une nouvelle espece
Typographical brigandage of a new kind
p. 266
Cette manoeuvre n'etonnera pas, quand on saura que c'est le libraire Panckoucke qui se cache sous le masque de l'imprimeur Pellet; il n'y a jamais eu de partisan, en guerre ou en finance, aussi fecond en ruses de cette espece que le libraire Panckoucke.
This manoeuvre will not surprise anyone, once it is known that it is the bookseller Panckoucke who hides himself behind the mask of the printer Pellet; there has never been a contractor, in war or in finance, as fertile in tricks of this kind as the bookseller Panckoucke.
p. 267
Auriez-vous adopte le calcul de ce fou de Linguet, qui aveugle par la haine implacable qu'il porte au pauvre Panckoucke et croyant que cette entreprise lui appartenait uniquement, s'est permis contre lui des propos les plus extravagants, dont les gens du metier se sont moques et ont bien su le lui dire?
Would you have adopted the reckoning of that madman Linguet, who, blinded by the implacable hatred he bears toward poor Panckoucke and believing that this enterprise belonged to him alone, permitted himself the most extravagant remarks against him, of which men of the trade have made fun and well knew how to tell him so?
p. 267
Outre que comme chacun le sait le caractere de cet homme fameux est de dire du mal de tout le monde, nous lui opposons en confiance un fait de notoriete publique. C'est que nous avons actuellement 6,000 exemplaires places et sommes obliges d'ouvrir un 3eme souscription pour satisfaire a de nouvelles demandes. Il serait bien etrange que parmi un si grand nombre d'amateurs aucun d'eux n'eut eu assez de bon sens pour prevoir l'objection qu'a imagine cet Aristarque moderne.
Besides the fact that, as everyone knows, the character of this famous man is to speak ill of everyone, we set against him in confidence a fact of public notoriety. It is that we currently have 6,000 copies placed and are obliged to open a 3rd subscription to satisfy new demands. It would be very strange that among such a large number of enthusiasts not one of them had had enough common sense to foresee the objection that this modern Aristarchus has imagined.
p. 267
M. Linguet nei suoi Annali no. 15 avverte il pubblico contro l'edizione dell'Enciclopedia in 4° di Ginevra e fa toccar con mano che in 29 vol. non conterra che la meta. Questa e una cosa che merita ogni seria considerazione, sopratutto perche non si sono gli editori avvaluti delle correzioni d'Yverdon, che sono buone.
[This is Italian, not French — excluded from translation]
p. 268
J'ai mande a Duplain ce qu'il fallait qu'il repondit,
I sent word to Duplain what he needed to reply,
p. 268
Il faut que sa response soit generale, sans nommer ni Linguet, ni les Annales.
His reply must be general, without naming either Linguet or the Annales.
p. 268
Nous avons pris avec nos souscripteurs un engagement solonnel et sacre de leur livrer gratis tous les tomes qui excederaient le nombre de 36.
We have made with our subscribers a solemn and sacred commitment to deliver to them free of charge all volumes exceeding the number of 36.
p. 268
C'est en vain que des personnes malintentionnees ont voulu tenter de decrier cette edition; on reconnaitra aisement qu'un motif d'animosite et une basse jalousie ont guide leurs honteuses demarches, qui ne peuvent que faire avorter leurs iniques projets.
It is in vain that ill-intentioned persons have sought to attempt to discredit this edition; one will easily recognize that a motive of animosity and base jealousy have guided their shameful conduct, which can only cause their iniquitous schemes to come to nothing.
p. 268
qu'il n'y a aucun danger a courir de la part de Linguet et qu'il s'en tiendra aux sarcasmes qu'il a laches dans son journal ... Le sieur Mallet, avec qui nous sommes lies particulierement, est parti dernierement pour aller joindre Linguet a Londres, avec lequel il s'est associe pour son journal; et il nous a donne sa parole qu'il ne paraitrait plus rien contre notre entreprise, et nous sommes tres portes a croire que s'il avait su que nous y fussions interesses, il n'aurait point fait cette incartade.
that there is no danger to be run on the part of Linguet and that he will confine himself to the sarcasms he has let loose in his journal … The said Mallet, with whom we are particularly close, recently departed to join Linguet in London, with whom he has entered into partnership for his journal; and he gave us his word that nothing more would appear against our enterprise, and we are very much inclined to believe that if he had known that we were involved in it, he would not have committed this escapade.
p. 269
Dans le desir de repondre a l'empressement de mes anciens souscripteurs, j'ai traite avec la Societe typographique de Neuchatel. En me remplacant pour cette troiseme edition, ils me laissent le temps et les soins que je me fais un devoir sacre de donner aux deux premieres.
In the desire to respond to the eagerness of my former subscribers, I have come to an arrangement with the Société typographique de Neuchâtel. By replacing me for this third edition, they leave me the time and care that I make it a sacred duty to give to the first two.
p. 270
pour enferrer de plus en plus les souscripteurs,
to ensnare the subscribers more and more,
p. 271
La notice de Pellet est une charlatanerie dont je ne crois pas que personne soit la dupe.
Pellet's notice is a piece of charlatanism of which I do not believe anyone will be the dupe.
p. 271
Apres avoir lu et examine cet avis, il nous a paru etre un moyen assez adroit d'engager les curieux a souscrire pour la 3eme edition de l'Encyclopedie dans la crainte de payer plus cher s'ils attendaient l'apparition de celle qu'on annonce.
After having read and examined this notice, it seemed to us to be a rather clever means of inducing the curious to subscribe to the 3rd edition of the Encyclopédie out of fear of paying more if they waited for the appearance of the one being announced.
p. 272 — Marketing
Il faut repandre avis sur avis et ne pas vous decourager,
One must spread notice upon notice and not become discouraged,
p. 272 — Marketing
Il ne vient plus de souscriptions, et si malgre 200 lettres que nous venons de faire partir, nous ne trouvons un debouche, nous serons necessites a une mise en magasin. Ayez s.v.p. la bonte de reiterer des annonces, de faire de nouveaux efforts, de parler dans vos gazettes.
No more subscriptions are coming in, and if despite the 200 letters we have just sent out we do not find an outlet, we will be forced into warehousing [unsold stock]. Please be so kind as to repeat announcements, make new efforts, speak [of it] in your gazettes.
p. 272 — Marketing
Nous vous envoyons ci-inclus le prospectus que vous ferez imprimer tel quel au meme nombre que la Gazette de Berne, en vous entendant avec le gazetier pour les frais de poste . . . Le meme prospectus . . . vous servira pour le nord, l'Allemagne, l'Angleterre, la Hollande et tous les autres pays ou vous voulez en envoyer. Faites-en tirer le nombre qu'il vous en faut.
We are sending you herewith the prospectus which you will have printed as is in the same number as the Gazette de Berne, coming to an agreement with the gazette editor for postal charges … The same prospectus … will serve you for the north, Germany, England, Holland and all the other countries where you wish to send them. Have printed as many copies as you need.
p. 273 — Marketing
Mon commis voyageur n'a rien fait du tout. Il sera ici dans quelques jours. Il a vu la Normandie, la Bretagne, m'a depense environ six cents livres et m'a donne des memoires pour quinze cents en totalite. On le regardait presque partout comme un espion. Les libraires de province n'aiment point ces commis voyageurs des libraires de Paris. Les Lyonnais, les Rouennais ont eu soin d'etablir des preventions de toutes especes.
My traveling salesman has accomplished nothing at all. He will be here in a few days. He covered Normandy and Brittany, spent about six hundred livres of mine and brought me back orders for fifteen hundred [livres] in total. He was regarded almost everywhere as a spy. Provincial booksellers do not like these traveling salesmen of the Paris booksellers. The Lyonnais and the Rouennais took care to establish prejudices of every kind.
p. 273 — Marketing
C'est une depense bien vue et qui peut produire un bon effet.
It is a well-considered expenditure and one that can produce a good effect.
p. 274 — Marketing
le nord
the north
p. 276 — Marketing
Nous vous remettons ci-inclus un avis a joindre tel quel dans les gazettes de Berne ou autres, si vous en connaissez, sans y rien changer.
We are sending you herewith a notice to be inserted as is in the gazettes of Berne or others, if you know of any, without changing anything in it.
p. 276 — Marketing
Encyclopedie 4° doit aux suivants, prospectus et avis inseres dans les papiers publics concernant la 3eme souscription:
a Banque [des ouvriers], composition et tirage d'avis
et de prospectus 4-10
a Journal helvetique 1778, insertion de l'avis 6-
a Profits et Pertes: Papier de poste pour dit 3-
Port et affranchissage d'avis en
a Hollande, Bale, Schaffhausen
et Berne 4-10
Droits aux 3 gazetiers de Suisse . . . 21
28-10 ... 28--10
Encyclopédie 4° owes to the following, prospectuses and notices inserted in public papers concerning the 3rd subscription:
To the Workers' Bank, composition and printing of notices and prospectuses: 4-10
To the Journal helvétique 1778, insertion of the notice: 6-
To Profits and Losses: Post paper for said [items]: 3-
Postage and franking of notices to Holland, Basel, Schaffhausen and Berne: 4-10
Fees to the 3 Swiss gazette editors: 21
28-10 … 28-10
p. 276 — Marketing
le Morning Herald, qui est le papier le plus a la mode; cela m'a coute 38 schellings.
the Morning Herald, which is the most fashionable paper; that cost me 38 shillings.
p. 280 — Booksellers
On pent souscrire chez les principaux libraires de chaque ville
One may subscribe at the principal booksellers of each city
p. 281 — Booksellers
si la remise est honnete, on ne craint point la depense pour se mettre en campagne pour tacher de se procurer de bien loin des souscripteurs.
if the discount is decent, one does not fear the expense of setting out to try to obtain subscribers from far afield.
p. 281 — Booksellers
Vons sentez, Monsieur, que le tres gros benefice des libraires les empechera de favoriser cette entreprise [the octavo],
You understand, Sir, that the very large profit of the booksellers will prevent them from favoring this enterprise [the octavo],
p. 281 — Booksellers
Et il n 'y a qu 'eux qui puissent faire le succes d 'un ouvrage de cette nature. Cette seule raison suffirait pour ne pas vous faire craindre cette concurrence.
And they are the only ones who can make a work of this kind succeed. This single reason would be sufficient to spare you from fearing this competition.
p. 281 — Booksellers
Nous avons pour maxime general de faire gagner gros a tons les libraires avec qui nous travaillons,
Our general maxim is to make all the booksellers with whom we work earn a great deal,
p. 281 — Booksellers
Personne ne vous demande-t-il de l 'Encyclopedie quarto~ Nous croyons que vous etes le seul libraire en France et meme ailleurs qui n 'y ait specule. Leur bfinefice est assure.
Is no one asking you for the quarto Encyclopédie? We believe you are the only bookseller in France and even elsewhere who has not speculated on it. Their profit is assured.
p. 282 — Booksellers
Vo us ne f eriez pas mal d 'y ajouter un placard en grosses lettres pour afficher devant ma boutique, ainsi que devaient faire tous vos correspondants.
You would do well to add a poster in large letters to put up in front of my shop, as all your correspondents should do.
p. 282 — Booksellers
En les repandant dans nos environs avec soin, je pourrai bien vous faire 24 souscriptions au lieu de 12.
By distributing them carefully in our area, I may well be able to get you 24 subscriptions instead of 12.
p. 283 — Booksellers
Comment voudriez vous que je puisse souscrire pour un exemplaire de l'Encyclopedie?
How would you have me be able to subscribe for a copy of the Encyclopédie?
p. 283 — Booksellers
Les ports et les droits m'emporteraient le profit.
The shipping costs and the duties would eat up my profit.
p. 283 — Booksellers
J 'ai le malheur d'etre dans une ville ou il n 'y a pas beaucoup de curieux.
I have the misfortune of being in a city where there are not many curious [readers].
p. 283 — Booksellers
Je suis dans l 'embarras. Lequel de mes souscripteurs prefererai-je? Ce sont tous des personnes de la premiere classe.
I am in a difficult position. Which of my subscribers shall I give priority to? They are all persons of the first rank.
p. 284 — Booksellers
Vous devez bien imaginer que dans une petite ville comme celle-ci il etait difficile sans so in et sans se deplacer de faire un nombre de souscriptions. J e vous avouerai que c 'etait dans l 'esperance de jouir du 13eme.
You must well imagine that in a small city like this one, it was difficult without effort and without going out to gather a number of subscriptions. I will confess to you that it was in the hope of enjoying the 13th [free copy].
p. 284 — Booksellers
J e ne regarde pas comme mortification de vous faire l 'aveu de mon peu de fortune. Comme pere de famille, je dois prendre garde a mes engagements et les respecter . . . Le commerce ici est totalement tombe. Nul etat ne peut fixer son debit sans troupes, et c 'est ce dont nous sommes degarnis depuis la miserable guerre qui nous ote toutes ressources . . . J e suis hors d'etat de payer: six enfants, peu de commerce ne me laissent entrevoir que beaucoup de peine.
I do not regard it as a humiliation to confess to you my limited means. As a family man, I must watch over my commitments and respect them . . . Trade here has completely collapsed. No establishment can maintain its sales without troops, and that is what we have been deprived of since the wretched war that takes away all our resources . . . I am unable to pay: six children and little trade leave me with no prospect but a great deal of hardship.
p. 285 — Booksellers
lucrative.
lucrative.
p. 285 — Booksellers
Nous devons aussi vous feliciter de votre speculation a raison du benefice qu 'il y a a faire pour vous.
We must also congratulate you on your speculation in view of the profit there is to be made from it for you.
p. 285 — Booksellers
On trouve le papier gris et inegal, le caractere use, les corrections mal faites, car l 'ouvrage fourmille de fautes d 'impression. Enfin, le discours preliminaire du premier volume est execute d 'une maniere infame, c 'est-a-dire de caracteres uses sur de tres mauvais papier etc. Si on continue de meme, cela attirera infailliblement des discussions et vraisemblablement des proces avec les souscripteurs, qui ne cessent de se plaindre et qui enfin feront eclat.
The paper is found to be grey and uneven, the typeface worn, the corrections badly done, for the work is riddled with printing errors. In short, the preliminary discourse of the first volume is executed in an infamous manner, that is to say with worn typefaces on very bad paper, etc. If one continues in the same fashion, this will inevitably attract disputes and in all likelihood lawsuits with the subscribers, who never cease to complain and who will eventually cause a scandal.
p. 286 — Booksellers
Quant a votre nouvelle edition de l 'Encyclopedie in-quarto, je n~ sais encore que vous dire. Nous avions re<_;iu des ordres du gouvernment de ne point nous meler ni de la vente, ni de la souscription de cet ouvrage. Outre cela, on parle d'une autre que le gouvernement veut favoriser, qui sera aussi in-quarto. Il s 'agit d 'avoir patience pour voir ce que tout cela deviendra.
As for your new quarto edition of the Encyclopédie, I still do not know what to tell you. We had received orders from the government not to involve ourselves either in the sale or the subscription of this work. Besides that, people are talking of another [edition] that the government wishes to favor, which will also be in-quarto. It is a matter of being patient to see what will come of all this.
p. 286 — Booksellers
J 'entrevois que cette entreprise est combinee par un fran<_;lais et qu 'il a envie d 'abandonner le commerce a pres cette operation.
I can see that this enterprise is organized by a Frenchman and that he intends to leave the trade after this operation.
p. 286 — Booksellers
L'Encyclopedie in-octavo n'a pas ete rendue, et l'on assure meme qu'elle ne le sera pas. J e pense que l 'on n 'obtiendra le privilege tacite de cet ouvrage qu'apres que celle in-quarto sera consommee.
The octavo Encyclopédie has not been released, and people even assert that it will not be. I think that the tacit privilege for this work will only be obtained after the quarto [edition] is exhausted.
p. 286 — Booksellers
Quant a I 'Encyclopedie, Ia personne pour laquelle nous voulions Ia [a copy of the folio edition] faire venir, sur Jes bruits qui courent que I 'Encyclopedie de Geneve en format in-quarto aura lieu et que le libraire Panckoucke de Paris s 'est arrange avec celui qui en a projete I 'edition, nous a dit qu 'il donnerait volontiers la preference a I 'edition in-quarto, ce qui est cause egalement que nous vous prierons de ne pas nous l 'envoyer.
As for the Encyclopédie, the person for whom we wished to order it [a copy of the folio edition], given the rumors circulating that the Encyclopédie of Geneva in quarto format will go ahead and that the bookseller Panckoucke of Paris has come to an arrangement with the one who projected the edition, has told us that he would willingly give preference to the quarto edition, which is also the reason why we will ask you not to send it to us.
p. 287 — Booksellers
J e n 'ai pu savoir leurs pensees sur l 'Encyclopedie quarto. Ils sont tres reserves, ces Messieurs. Mais ils s 'accordent a dire qu 'il n 'y a rien sous presse dans tout Lyon que quelques miseres et l 'Encyclopedie quarto.
I was unable to learn their thoughts on the quarto Encyclopédie. These gentlemen are very reserved. But they agree in saying that there is nothing in press throughout all of Lyon except a few trifles and the quarto Encyclopédie.
p. 287 — Booksellers
Elle a place 48 exemplaires de l'Encyclopedie quarto, et la meme chose est a Vienne qu'a Lyon: l 'on n 'achete plus de livre que celui-Ia.
She has placed 48 copies of the quarto Encyclopédie, and the situation in Vienne is the same as in Lyon: people buy no book other than that one.
p. 287 — Booksellers
Dans Valence c'est Aurel qui fait le plus, mais il est charge de famille et ne gagne guere . . . Il n 'y a point de libraire a Viviers. Un ambulant du Vivarais dont je n 'ai pu savoir le nom ni la demeure y apporte, comme a Montelimar, 3 ou 4 fois pendant l 'annee des livres a vendre. Orange n 'a qu 'un nomme Tou'it, perruquier de profession, mais qui vend des usages et rien d'autre. Calame!, qui est note sur l'almanach des libraires, est un marchand d'etoffes, qui autrefois a vendu des livres mais qui n 'en tient plus.
In Valence it is Aurel who does the most, but he has a large family to support and earns little . . . There is no bookseller in Viviers. An itinerant dealer from the Vivarais whose name and address I could not discover brings [books] there, as to Montélimar, 3 or 4 times a year to sell. Orange has only a man called Touit, a wigmaker by profession, but who sells [books of] common use and nothing else. Calamel, who is listed in the booksellers' almanac, is a cloth merchant who formerly sold books but no longer stocks them.
p. 288 — Booksellers
centre de la bigoterie
center of bigotry
p. 288 — Booksellers
une bien pauvre ville pour tout commerce
a very poor city for all commerce
p. 288 — Booksellers
Saumur, rien
Saumur, nothing
p. 288 — Booksellers
Chinon, encore moins
Chinon, even less
Chapter IX
p. 289
Ils n'ont jamais le temps de vous ecouter. Il semble qu'ils ont des empires a gouverner.
They never have time to listen to you. It seems as though they have empires to govern.
p. 289
Lorsque vous avez fait vos offres, l 'on vous repond que l 'on examinera le catalogue etc., vous priant de repasser. Vous repassez done 3 ou 4 fois, et il arrive que le patron ne s 'y trouve pas. Si vous le trouvez, il n' a pas eu le temps d' examiner vos propositions. 11 faut done y retourner, pourquoi~ Pour rien la plupart du temps. Tous sont sur ce ton. Il faut qu 'un etranger coure constamment depuis l 'un des bouts de la ville a l 'autre et cela dans I 'avant midi, car apres diner il est rare de trouver quelqu 'un de ces Messieurs chez lui.
When you have made your offers, one answers that one will examine the catalogue etc., asking you to call again. You call again therefore 3 or 4 times, and it happens that the proprietor is not there. If you find him, he has not had time to examine your proposals. One must therefore go back — why? For nothing most of the time. They are all in this manner. A stranger must run constantly from one end of the city to the other, and that [only] in the morning, for after dinner it is rare to find any of these gentlemen at home.
p. 289
Chacun me demande les memoires [that is, Confessions] de J.-J. Rousseau. On croit fermement qu'ils existent, non a Paris mais peut-etre en Hollande. Ce serait un livre a faire 3,000 si on l 'avait dans la primeur . . . On est impatient partout de savoir des nouvelles de cet auteur. Peut-etre, et cela est sur, qu 'une nouvelle edition augmentee de ses oeuvres se vendrait bien.
Everyone asks me for the memoirs [that is, Confessions] of J.-J. Rousseau. It is firmly believed that they exist, not in Paris but perhaps in Holland. It would be a book to sell 3,000 [copies] if one had it fresh off the press … People are impatient everywhere to hear news of this author. Perhaps — and this is certain — a new enlarged edition of his works would sell well.
p. 289
Je ne neglige pas non plus le debit des livres que je ne saurais lire jamais, et c 'est uniquement parce qu'il faut vivre avec la multitude et parce que le meilleur livre pour un marchand de livres est celui qui se vend.
I do not neglect the sale of books that I could never read either, and it is solely because one must live with the crowd and because the best book for a bookseller is the one that sells.
p. 289
Aries. Gaudion vaut de l'or, mais c'est un singulier personnage ... Quand je lui ai parle de la Bible et de l'Encyclopedie, il m'a repondu qu'il etait trop bon Catho-
Arles. Gaudion is worth his weight in gold, but he is a singular character … When I spoke to him about the Bible and the Encyclopédie, he replied that he was too good a Catho[lic —]
p. 290
lique pour chercher a repandre deux livres aussi impies, que toutes les encyclopedies lui ont bien ete offertes, mais qu'il se gardera bien d 'en placer.
[—lic] to seek to spread two books so impious, that all the encyclopédies had indeed been offered to him, but that he would take good care not to place any.
p. 290 — Prices and Consumers
Le format in-folio sera pour les grands seigneurs et les bibliotheques, tandis que l 'in-quarto sera a la portee des gens de lettres et des amateurs dont la fortune est moins considerable.
The folio format will be for the great lords and the libraries, while the quarto will be within the reach of men of letters and enthusiasts whose fortune is less considerable.
p. 291 — Prices and Consumers
vues economiques
economic considerations
p. 293 — Prices and Consumers
un des souscripteurs zeles
one of the zealous subscribers
p. 293 — Prices and Consumers
Le nombre des litterateurs pauvres surpasse de beaucoup celui des lecteurs opulents. Je suis charme, en mon particulier, que cet ouvrage, ci-devant trop cher, n 'excede pas les facultes des demi-indulgents tels que moi. J e voudrais que la porte des sciences, des arts, des verites utiles fut ouverte jour et nuit a tous les humains qui savent lire.
The number of poor writers far exceeds that of wealthy readers. I am delighted, for my own part, that this work, formerly too expensive, does not exceed the means of the half-comfortable such as myself. I would wish that the door to the sciences, the arts, [and] useful truths were open day and night to all human beings who can read.
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
C 'est un succes incroyable.
It is an incredible success.
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
repandu partout
spread everywhere
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
bien repandu
widely spread
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
Il n 'est pas d 'ouvrage si universellement repandu
There is no work so universally widespread
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
dont nos rues sont pavees
with which our streets are paved
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
Notre ville en est pavee.
Our city is paved with them.
p. 294 — Prices and Consumers
J 'en plagai 182 exemplaires [of the quarto] dans trois semaines de temps. J e me trouve souscripteur de 104 exemplaires de cette meme Encyclopedic qui s'imprime a Lausanne en format in-octavo; et si on n 'en avait annonce deux autres in-octavo et une in-folio--savoir une que les libraires de Toulouse font imprimer a Nimes chez M. Gaude et les deux autres s 'imprimant a Liege sous le titre d 'Amsterdam-il est tres assure que j 'en aurais place au moins 400 de celle de Lausanne.
I placed 182 copies [of the quarto] in three weeks' time. I find myself a subscriber to 104 copies of this same Encyclopédie being printed in Lausanne in octavo format; and if two other octavos and one folio had not been announced — namely one that the booksellers of Toulouse are having printed in Nîmes at M. Gaude's and the other two being printed in Liège under the title of Amsterdam — it is very certain that I would have placed at least 400 copies of the Lausanne one.
p. 295 — Prices and Consumers
Si nous en croyons quelques amis, l 'entreprise, quoique ridicule, ne laissera pas que de reussir, tant le bon marche a d'attrait pour le plus grand nombre, c 'est-a-dire pour les sots, qui le forment toujours,
If we are to believe some friends, the enterprise, though ridiculous, will nonetheless succeed, so much does cheapness attract the greatest number — that is to say, the fools, who always make it up.
p. 295 — Prices and Consumers
a cause du bas prix et du gout constant du public pour cet ouvrage.
because of the low price and the public's constant taste for this work.
p. 295 — The Sales Pattern
Grand public
The general public
p. 297 — The Sales Pattern
PariR regorge des precedentes editions.
Paris is glutted with the previous editions.
p. 297 — The Sales Pattern
Si vous et M. Panckoucke vous donniez autant de mouvements que nous, vous reconnaitriez aisement que ce livre est encore le meilleur des livres et se vendra jusqu 'au dernier . . . Mais M. Panckoucke ne se donne pas de mouvements.
If you and M. Panckoucke bestirred yourselves as much as we do, you would easily recognize that this book is still the best of books and will sell to the last copy … But M. Panckoucke does not bestir himself.
p. 297 — The Sales Pattern
Votre edition est deja si decriee que je doute tres fort que je parvienne a placer les 500 exemplaires. Il parait que c 'est un cri general ... J e presume bien que j 'en pourrai placer ici quelques cents, mais l 'edition n 'est pas estimee, et on aime ici la grande correction.
Your edition is already so discredited that I very much doubt I will manage to place the 500 copies. It appears that it is a general outcry … I do presume that I will be able to place a few hundred here, but the edition is not esteemed, and people here like great correctness.
p. 299 — The Sales Pattern
Maggiolo line
[Note: this is an English-language proper name/concept, not a French passage requiring translation]
p. 313
aiment mieux apprendre a leurs enfants que 5 et 4 font 9 otez 2 reste 7 que de leur apprendre faire le bel esprit.
prefer to teach their children that 5 and 4 make 9, take away 2, leaves 7, rather than to teach them to be witty.
p. 313
Cependant j 'ai de mes amis qui ne dedaignent pas les lettres.
Nevertheless, I have some friends who do not disdain literature.
p. 313
J'en ai pourvu tous mes amis.
I have supplied all my friends with [copies of] it.
p. 313
contre oil on s 'occupe trop gagner de l 'argent pour chercher acquerir de l 'csprit.
[a region] where people are too busy making money to seek to acquire refinement of mind.
p. 313
gentilhomme
nobleman
p. 313
capitaine reforme
retired captain
p. 313
lieutenant des marechaux de France
lieutenant of the marshals of France
p. 313
chevalier de Malte
knight of Malta
p. 313
chanoine de la Madeleine
canon of the Madeleine [church]
p. 313
procureur du roi
king's attorney
p. 313
tous de la premiere classe
all of the first rank
p. 313
officier du regiment de Bresse
officer of the regiment of Bresse
p. 313
commis des guerres
war commissary clerk
p. 313
le cure de Cherier
the parish priest of Cherier
p. 313
Dusers, chevalier de Saint-Louis
Dusers, knight of Saint-Louis
p. 313
Guiget abbe de la Croix Rousse Lyon
Guiget, abbot of La Croix Rousse, Lyon
p. 313
le comte d 'Orsey Paris
the comte d'Orsey, Paris
p. 313
lti comte de Neuilly Versailles
the comte de Neuilly, Versailles
p. 313
Giraud cure Vichy
Giraud, parish priest [of] Vichy
p. 314
par le desir ardent que je vous connais aussi pour contribuer a la propagation des sciences et pour repandre un livre qui en est le depot.
out of the ardent desire that I know you also have to contribute to the propagation of the sciences and to spread a book which is their repository.
p. 314
le spectacle delicieux de la liberte et de cette fierte noble qu 'elle inspire a tous les hommes, qu 'elle egalise.
the delightful spectacle of liberty and of that noble pride which it inspires in all men, which it renders equal.
p. 314
un simple particulier qui tient un nombre de jeunes gens Protestants en pension dont je desirerais de faire des citoyens utiles et vertueux
a simple private individual who keeps a number of young Protestant boarders whom I would wish to make into useful and virtuous citizens
p. 315
ce sont ces sortes d 'ouvrages dont j 'ai le plus de debit.
it is works of this kind that I sell the most of.
p. 315
N'avez-vous point de bibliotheque? Pour quatre sols vous vous enfoncez dans un cabinet litteraire, et la, pendant une apres-dinee entiere vous lisez depuis la massive Encyclopedie jusqu 'aux feuilles volantes.
Do you have no library? For four sous you sink into a reading room, and there, for an entire afternoon, you read from the massive Encyclopédie all the way to the fly-sheets.
p. 317 — Diffusion Outside France
Notre etablissement n'est presque fonde que sur de livres d'assortiment, le caractere universe! de la nation et d'un pays qui a ete envahi pendant des siecles entiers par des guerres cruelles et sanglantes, n 'etant pas encore assez pres du dernier degre de culture pour produire des auteurs qui puissent garantir les libraires des frais d 'impression . . . L 'Encyclopedie de laquelle vous nous faites une exacte description n 'est pas celle-ci dont la Societe de Berne nous a fourni quelques tomes, et nous ne pouvons pas encore donner commissions de cet ouvrage. Cependant, nous en esperons donner dans peu de temps, l'ouvrage n 'etant encore que peu connu chez nous, surtout quand la liberte de penser et d'ecrire qui a ete rendue a notre heureux royaume par notre auguste souverain, se sera repandue dans les individus.
Our establishment is founded almost entirely on assorted books, the general character of the nation and of a country that has been invaded for entire centuries by cruel and bloody wars [meaning it is] not yet close enough to the highest degree of culture to produce authors who can guarantee booksellers against the costs of printing . . . The Encyclopédie of which you give us an exact description is not the one of which the Bern Society has furnished us some volumes, and we cannot yet place an order for this work. Nevertheless, we hope to do so in a short time, the work being as yet little known among us, especially [once] the freedom to think and to write, which has been restored to our happy kingdom by our august sovereign, shall have spread among individuals.
p. 317 — Diffusion Outside France
un des premiers seigneurs de notre pays
one of the leading noblemen of our country
p. 319 — Diffusion Outside France
nouveautes de la derniere fraicheur, surtout aussi dans le genre libre et gaillard, figures indecentes.
the very latest novelties, especially in the licentious and bawdy genre, with indecent illustrations.
p. 319 — Diffusion Outside France
Nous ne vendons guere qu 'en hiver, pour lequel nous nous preparons seulement l 'ete.
We sell hardly anything except in winter, for which we prepare only in the summer.
p. 320 — Diffusion Outside France
tous les lecteurs de ce pays-ci.
all the readers of this country.
p. 320 — Diffusion Outside France
Elle attirera les seigneurs polonais.
It [the Diet] will attract the Polish noblemen.
p. 320 — Diffusion Outside France
connu et bien vu de tout ce qu 'il y a de mieux dans cette ville
known and well regarded by all the best people in this city
p. 320 — Diffusion Outside France
J'ouvre le premier du mois prochain un cabinet litteraire pour lequel la plupart des seigneurs de cette ville se sont abonnes. Je profiterai des occasions de leurs visites pour trouver des souscripteurs pour votre Encyclopedic dont le prospectus promet de tres grands avantages. Mais pour y reussir d 'autant mieux, il faudrait que vous eussiez la complaisance de m 'en faire passer au moins 3 exemplaires a mesure que l 'ouvrage sortira de presse. J 'en garderai un pour mon cabinet
I am opening on the first of next month a reading room for which most of the noblemen of this city have subscribed. I shall take advantage of the occasions of their visits to find subscribers for your Encyclopédie, whose prospectus promises very great advantages. But in order to succeed all the better, it would be necessary for you to be so kind as to send me at least 3 copies as the work comes off the press. I shall keep one for my reading room
p. 321 — Diffusion Outside France
litteraire et trouverai aisement a placer les 2 autres. Par ce moyen j 'en vendrai a coup sftr beaucoup, attendu que lorsqu 'un seigneur a quelque ouvrage nouveau, les autres veulent aussitot l 'avoir aussi. Mais comme celui-ci est un peu couteux, je ne vous en demanderai, Messieurs, qu'a mesure que j 'en recevrai la commission; et je vous previens que je ne trouverai a en placer beaucoup que lorsqu 'une fois j 'en aurai un exemplaire sur les lieux.
and will easily find placements for the other 2. By this means I shall certainly sell many, given that when a nobleman has some new work, the others immediately want to have it too. But as this one is a little expensive, I shall only ask you for [copies], gentlemen, as I receive commissions for them; and I warn you that I shall only find many placements once I have a copy on the spot.
p. 321 — Diffusion Outside France
II n 'y a rien a faire avec des grands ouvrages dans ce pays-ci.
There is nothing to be done with large works in this country.
p. 321 — Diffusion Outside France
que des choses amusantes et interessantes, surtout pour les dames, et tout au plus 4 ou 6 exemplaires, peu d 'ouvrages profonds et serieux,
only amusing and interesting things, especially for the ladies, and at most 4 or 6 copies, few profound and serious works,
p. 321 — Diffusion Outside France
Les grands seigneurs qui entendent le frarn;ais ne se soucient guere de ces sortes d 'ouvrages.
The great noblemen who understand French care little for works of this kind.
p. 322 — Diffusion Outside France
Les altercations que j 'ai eues avec mes abonnes pour votre edition de l' Encyclopedie et leur mecontentement de devoir payer 4 volumes de plus que dans l 'edition de Pellet [ Gerle was confused on this point] sont alles si loin qu'on a voulu me rendre l'ouvrage entier ou me forcer de perdre ees 4 volumes moi-meme.
The disputes I had with my subscribers over your edition of the Encyclopédie and their discontent at having to pay for 4 more volumes than in Pellet's edition [Gerle was confused on this point] went so far that they wanted to return the entire work to me or force me to absorb the cost of those 4 volumes myself.
p. 322 — Diffusion Outside France
Mais je doute que je puisse placer de l'Encyclopedie quarto. L'edition octavo a ete annoncee dans tous les coins en Allemagne.
But I doubt that I can place any quarto Encyclopédie. The octavo edition has been announced in every corner of Germany.
p. 322 — Diffusion Outside France
Cette entreprise [the quarto] ::mrait ete excellente, mais elle scra gatce par deux differentes editions. La librairie en Suisse vient [sic] un vrai brigandage.
This enterprise [the quarto] would have been excellent, but it will be spoiled by two different editions. The book trade in Switzerland is becoming a veritable act of piracy.
p. 323 — Diffusion Outside France
ap res qu 'il ya deja tant milles des exemplaires dans le monde.
after there are already so many thousands of copies in the world.
p. 323 — Diffusion Outside France
L'on a peine de croire comme depuis I 'absence de la cour la lecture fran<;)aise a f ait place a I 'allemande.
One can scarcely believe how much, since the court's departure, French reading has given way to German.
p. 323 — Diffusion Outside France
Les libraires allemands ne voient qu 'avec un oeil jaloux la preference que les gens du bon ton donnent a la litterature fran~aise sur la litterature allemande. De la ils envisagent les ouvrages fran~ais comme une branche de commerce etranger, qui nuit au debit de leurs productions nationales. Cela est si vrai que lorsque'ils voient un ouvrage fran~ais un peu avantageusement annonce, ils se hatent de le faire traduire en allemand, pour affaiblir le debit de l 'original.
German booksellers look with a jealous eye on the preference that fashionable people give to French literature over German literature. From this they regard French works as a branch of foreign trade, which harms the sale of their national productions. This is so true that when they see a French work announced with some advantage, they hasten to have it translated into German, in order to undermine the sales of the original.
p. 324 — Diffusion Outside France
J'ai vu ... M. Warrentrap et Venner, qui ont fait l'entreprise de l 'Encyclopedie en allemand dont j 'ai vu le premier volume sur du papier triis mince et un tas de manuscrits pour la suite, a laquelle travaillent, dit-il, une trentaine de savants. Je crois que ce sera un meilleur ouvrage que l'Encyclopedie fran~aise. Les Allemands sont plus profonds. Mais ce sera les Callendes Grecques, et elle ne fera pas de tort a la notre. Plusieurs libraires m 'ont assure qu 'elle ne se continue pas.
I saw ... Messrs. Warrentrap and Venner, who have undertaken the German Encyclopédie, of which I saw the first volume on very thin paper and a pile of manuscripts for the continuation, on which, he says, some thirty scholars are working. I believe it will be a better work than the French Encyclopédie. The Germans are more profound. But it will be the Greek Calends [i.e., never], and it will not harm ours. Several booksellers assured me that it is not being continued.
p. 324 — Diffusion Outside France
cours du no rd.
courts of the north.
p. 324 — Diffusion Outside France
princes souverains
sovereign princes
p. 324 — Diffusion Outside France
seigneurs suedois
Swedish noblemen
p. 324 — Diffusion Outside France
J'aimerais bien que VOUS prissiez de plus beau papier pour VOS editions . . . C'est en partie ce qui fait vendre; car comme je ne fournis
I would very much like you to use finer paper for your editions . . . That is partly what makes them sell; for as I only supply
p. 325
absolument que les souverains du nord et les plus grands seigneurs chalands . . . vous sentez bien, Messieurs, qu 'il ne m 'est pas propos d 'avoir des editions peu riantes. Ne pourriez-vous pas tirer du papier de Perigord ?
absolutely [that] the sovereigns of the north and the greatest lord customers … you understand well, gentlemen, that it is not appropriate for me to have editions that are not pleasing. Could you not obtain paper from Périgord?
p. 325
Les grands et volumineux ouvrages etant du debit le plus ingrat dans les pays du nord, nous ne pouvons pas, Messieurs, nous charger de l 'Encyclopedie in-quarto . . . Nous avons deux exemplaires de celle d 'Yverdon, qui nous sont fort charge.
Large and voluminous works being the most thankless to sell in the northern countries, we cannot, gentlemen, take on the quarto Encyclopédie … We have two copies of the Yverdon edition, which are a great burden to us.
p. 325
tres grand seigneur tres riche
very great and very rich lord
p. 325
Nous f erons tout notre possible pour faire connaitre votre Encyclopedie: mais tant que la guerre et les affa ires politiques fixeront les esprits, il n'y a guere d'apparence qu'on en vende beaucoup; et en general les ouvrages d 'aussi longue haleine sont peu recherches a present.
We will do everything in our power to make your Encyclopédie known: but as long as the war and political affairs occupy people's minds, there is little prospect of selling many copies; and in general works of such length are little sought after at present.
p. 325
J usques ici je n 'ai que des esperances, car on aime tres peu souscrire ici et tres peu ou point donner des avances, pas meme un sol. Le jeu et les plaisirs vont avant tout.
Up to now I have only hopes, for people here are very reluctant to subscribe and very reluctant or not at all willing to give advances, not even a sou. Gaming and pleasures come before everything.
p. 325
Ce n 'est pas ma faute si je n 'ai pas eu des souscriptions pour votre edition de 1' Encyclopedie. C 'est assez annoncee, mais ici tout va lentement et l 'on veut voir avant que de se resoudre a acheter. Aussi il est inutile de proposer des souscriptions. Je comptais pourtant bien d'en avoir quelques-unes, mais !'edition in-octavo est venue la traverser.
It is not my fault if I have not obtained subscriptions for your edition of the Encyclopédie. It has been announced sufficiently, but here everything goes slowly and people want to see [the work] before resolving to buy. Therefore it is useless to propose subscriptions. I had indeed counted on having a few, but the octavo edition came and thwarted it.
p. 326
J e vous reitere au reste, Messieurs, que le zele pour la litterature se refroidit tous les jours, que les esprits anglais se degenerent, et que nos seigneurs aiment mieux acheter 20 billets d'opera a un Vestris, a un N overre, une Allegrante que de depenser 20 guinees en livres.
I reiterate to you, moreover, gentlemen, that zeal for literature cools every day, that English minds are degenerating, and that our lords prefer to buy 20 opera tickets for a Vestris, a Noverre, an Allegrante than to spend 20 guineas on books.
p. 326
Ils [Romberg freres] ont obtenu un passeport des deux nations, et il n 'y a pas de risque de tout.
They [the Romberg brothers] have obtained a passport from both nations, and there is no risk at all.
p. 327
Mme. Moredon, qui roule carosse en ne vendant que breviaires.
Mme. Moredon, who rides about in a carriage selling nothing but breviaries.
p. 327
Quant a votre Encyclopedie abregee [a backhanded reference to Laserre 's cuts] in-quarto, vous n 'ignorez point que je suis interesse a 1' Encyclopedie in-quarto d 'Yverdon, et comme elle est toujours tres accueillie, que je la crois preferable a toute autre, je ne me chargerai d 'aucune avant que le peu d 'exemplaires qui en restent, dont mon cher pere est seul possesseur, soient places et que je n 'en pourrai plus acquerir.
As for your abridged quarto Encyclopédie [a backhanded reference to Laserre's cuts], you are not unaware that I have an interest in the quarto Encyclopédie of Yverdon, and since it is always very well received, and I believe it preferable to any other, I will not take on any [of yours] before the few copies that remain, of which my dear father is the sole possessor, are placed and I can no longer obtain any.
p. 328
embarrasses de l 'edition d 'Yverdon, de l'in-folio, et meme de l 'in-octavo.
burdened with the Yverdon edition, the folio, and even the octavo.
p. 328
le public se lasse enfin de toutes ces duperies.
the public is at last growing tired of all these swindles.
p. 328
vu que le public est inonde d 'autres editions et que ce livre se vend aujourd 'hui a moitie prix.
given that the public is flooded with other editions and that this book is selling today at half price.
p. 328
J 'ai trouve que les amateurs avaient ou l 'edition de Paris ou celle d'Yverdon et que dans une ville de commerce ces ouvrages ne sont pas d'un gout general et ainsi d'un debit fort borne.
I found that the enthusiasts had either the Paris edition or the Yverdon one, and that in a commercial city these works are not of general appeal and thus of very limited sale.
p. 328
Les provinces sont tellement farcies d 'Encyclopedies que les libraires non plus que les particuliers ne veulent en entendre parler,
The provinces are so stuffed with Encyclopédies that neither booksellers nor private individuals want to hear about them,
p. 328
A chaque vente de livres ou il s 'en trouvent, les prix declinent. La Societe typographique de Berne m 'a encore envoye des prospectus de sa seconde edition. J e les ai repandus sans le moindre succes.
At every book sale where they turn up, the prices fall. The Société typographique de Berne has again sent me prospectuses for its second edition. I have distributed them without the slightest success.
p. 329
car les Anglais ne respectent aucun pavillon et prennent tout.
for the English respect no flag and seize everything.
p. 329
Comme ici depuis la reforme de l 'Universite de Coi:mbre ainsi que l 'ouverture d 'nne Academie des sciences et des arts en cette ville les Portugais commencent d 'avoir un peu plus de gout pour la lecture des bons livres, tant Latins que franc;ais et autres langues, c 'est ce qui nous engage de procurer d 'etablir des correspondances dans toutes Jes villes principales de I 'Europe, par cet moyen pour etre mieux assortis.
As here, since the reform of the University of Coimbra as well as the opening of an Academy of sciences and arts in this city, the Portuguese are beginning to have a little more taste for reading good books, both Latin and French and other languages, it is this which prompts us to endeavour to establish correspondences in all the principal cities of Europe, by this means in order to be better stocked.
p. 330
~a est une affaire si delicate dans ce pays-ci que 'de parler d'Encyclopedie par rapport a notre Inquisition qu 'il m 'a fallu une permission dudit tribunal pour pouvoir me souscrire a 3 exemplaires.
It is such a delicate matter in this country to speak of the Encyclopédie with regard to our Inquisition that I had to obtain a permit from the said tribunal in order to subscribe for 3 copies.
p. 330
convenables pour un pays si delicat comme le notre.
suitable for a country as delicate as ours.
p. 330
Dans ce pays il faut avoir de grands soins sur les livres etrangers par rapport a notre Inquisition.
In this country one must take great care with foreign books on account of our Inquisition.
p. 330
L'on a donne dernierement un ordre a tousles ports de mer de ne pas les laisser entrer. Voyez si nous sommes dans un pays bien delicat.
An order was recently given to all the seaports not to let them enter. You can see what a very delicate country we are in.
p. 330
Quant aux ouvrages qui seraient du gout de ce pays, ils doivent etre si epures que la moindre proposition Un peu equivoque OU philosophique serait arretee par le Saint Office. Voifa OU en est reduit la litterature de ce pays.
As for works that would suit this country, they must be so purified that the slightest proposition that is a little ambiguous or philosophical would be stopped by the Holy Office. There you see to what literature in this country has been reduced.
p. 330
Comme I 'Inquisition en a prohibe partie, au sont tous les articles qui coneernent la religion, nous ne pouvons les vendre sans permission, et dans ce cas, je vous la demanderai.
As the Inquisition has prohibited part of it, where are all the articles concerning religion, we cannot sell them without permission, and in that case I will request it from you.
p. 330
ne pouvant etre mis en usage par l 'arret fulminant de I 'Inquisition, aussi bete que mechant.
not being able to be put to use because of the thundering decree of the Inquisition, as stupid as it is malicious.
p. 331
Par ce qui est de la nouvelle Encyalopedie ... nos censeurs ne veulent pas m 'en permettre I 'introduction; ils me font di:fficulte sur tout.
As for the new Encyclopédie … our censors do not want to permit me to bring it in; they make difficulties about everything.
p. 331
Nell' Enciclopedia franeesc d sono moltissime eose inette, inutile e ma! digerite che si vorrebbero sopprimere o riformare.
In the French Encyclopédie there are very many inept, useless, and poorly digested things that one would want to suppress or reform.
p. 331
Nell 'edizione di Livorno ci sono molte cose che meritano di essere adattate, fra l 'altro un bell'artirolo di Caserta ehc fu fatto in Napoli.
In the Leghorn edition there are many things that deserve to be adapted, among others a fine article on Caserta that was written in Naples.
p. 333
Non mi conviene assolutamente caricarmi ne meno d 'una copia dell' Enciclopedia in-quarto, poiche il paese nostro e gia pieno, oltre di che quella di Losanna essendo di minore spesa molti si sono appigliati a quella.
It does not suit me at all to take on even one copy of the quarto Encyclopédie, since our country is already full [of them], and besides, the Lausanne one being less expensive many people have opted for that one.
p. 334
Ce pays-ci est rempli d 'Encyclopedies des reimpressions de Lucques et de Livourne; les gens s 'en tiennent la,
This country is filled with Encyclopédies from the reprints of Lucca and Leghorn; people stick with those,
p. 334
Pour ce qui est du manifeste de l 'Encyclopedie, M. Duplain de Lyon me l 'a participe [sic] il y a plus de deux mois. Lei on l 'a a tout prix, vu l 'Mition de Lucques et la reimpression de Livourne, ce qui a rempli l 'ltalie.
As for the prospectus of the Encyclopédie, M. Duplain of Lyon communicated it to me more than two months ago. Here one has it at any price, given the Lucca edition and the Leghorn reprint, which have filled Italy.
p. 334
ceux qui lisent en frarn;ais dans ce pays sont fort rares, et ils n 'aiment ou ne peuvent faire de la depense.
those who read in French in this country are very rare, and they do not like or are not able to spend money.
p. 334
Vi devo per allora avvertire che nella citta di Siena stata posta sotto i torchi la traduzione italiana dell' Enciclopedia e questa fara un poco d 'incaglio alla vostra.
I must warn you that in the city of Siena the Italian translation of the Encyclopédie has been put to press and this will pose a little obstacle to yours.
p. 334
Il procedere di MM. Duplain et Comp. ci ha disgustati all 'ultimo grado,
The conduct of MM. Duplain et Comp. has disgusted us in the highest degree,
p. 337
Tout le monde lit à Paris ... On lit en voiture à la promenade, au théâtre dans les entractes, au café, au bain. Dans les boutiques, femmes, enfants, ouvriers, apprentis lisent; le dimanche, les gens qui s'associent à la porte de leur maison lisent, les laquais lisent derrière les voitures, les cochers lisent sur leurs sièges, les soldats lisent au poste et les commissaires à leur station.
Everyone reads in Paris ... People read in carriages on outings, at the theatre during intermissions, at the café, at the baths. In the shops, women, children, workers, apprentices read; on Sundays, people gathered at the door of their houses read, footmen read behind the carriages, coachmen read on their seats, soldiers read at their posts and commissioners at their stations.
p. 338
Je prevois que l'Encyclopedie de Geneve sera un livre bien ennuyeux, vu que voici deja pres de cinq mois suivant la promesse que m'avez faite de son apparition, temps depuis lequel il ennuie deja son acquereur, qui n'en a encore vu aucune feuille. Que ne l'ennuiera-t-il pas quand il possedera tout ce fatras de livre, qui apparamment rencherira par la sagacite de son contenu sur le bel ouvrage d'Yverdon, que nos montagnards reverent au point de le laisser tranquille et en repos sur le tabelar [sic], ou ils l'ont pose des son apparition.
I foresee that the Geneva Encyclopédie will be a very tedious book, given that it is now nearly five months since the promise you made me of its appearance, a period during which it has already bored its purchaser, who has not yet seen a single sheet of it. How much more will it bore him when he possesses the whole jumble of a book, which will apparently surpass in the sagacity of its content the fine work of Yverdon, which our mountain-dwellers revere to the point of leaving it undisturbed and at rest on the shelf [sic] where they placed it from its first appearance.
p. 338
l'Encyclopedie sera toujours le premier livre de toute bibliotheque ou cabinet
the Encyclopédie will always be the foremost book in any library or study
p. 338
La faveur du public est sans exemple. Des gens qui ne savent pas lire ont ici souscrit.
Public favour is without precedent. People who cannot read have subscribed here.
p. 338
Je n'y ai pas trouve les reflexions sur les proprietes des plantes qui terminent le dernier paragraphe du Dictionnaire. Cependant ces reflexions sont philosophiques et interessantes.
I did not find there the reflections on the properties of plants that conclude the last paragraph of the Dictionary. Yet these reflections are philosophical and interesting.
p. 339
philosophiques
philosophical
p. 339
divers articles de theologie traites trop dans le gout Sorbonnique, sans doute pour favoriser d'autant mieux sa circulation en France, mais ces entraves à la liberté de penser ne plaisent pas à tous les lecteurs.
various theological articles treated too much in the Sorbonne manner, no doubt the better to facilitate its circulation in France, but these fetters on freedom of thought do not please all readers.
p. 339
morceaux philosophiques
philosophical passages
p. 339
L'editeur ne s'est pas conformé aux diverses façons de penser des lecteurs,
The editor did not conform to the various ways of thinking of the readers,
p. 340
Mon pere et mon grand-pere avaient l'Encyclopedie in-folio de Diderot et d'Alembert, c'est ou plutot c'etait un ouvrage de sept à huit cents francs. Il faut une terrible influence pour engager un provincial à mettre un tel capital en livres, d'où je conclus, aujourd'hui, qu'il fallait qu'avant ma naissance mon père et mon grand-père eussent été tout-à-fait du parti philosophique. Mon père ne me voyait feuilleter l'Encyclopedie qu'avec chagrin. J'avais la plus entière confiance en ce livre à cause de l'éloignement de mon père et de la haine décidée qu'il inspirait aux p[rêtres] qui fréquentaient à la maison. Le grand vicaire et chanoine Rey, grande figure de papier mâché, haut de cinq p[ieds] dix pouces, faisait une singulière grimace en prononçant de travers les noms de Diderot et de d'Alembert. Cette grimace me donnait une jouissance intime et profonde.
My father and my grandfather had the folio Encyclopédie of Diderot and d'Alembert, it is or rather was a work costing seven to eight hundred francs. It takes a tremendous influence to induce a provincial to put such a capital sum into books, from which I conclude, today, that before my birth my father and my grandfather must have been entirely of the philosophical party. My father could not see me leafing through the Encyclopédie without distress. I had the most complete confidence in that book because of my father's aversion to it and the decided hatred it inspired in the p[riests] who frequented the house. The vicar-general and canon Rey, a grand figure of papier-mâché, five f[eet] ten inches tall, made a singular grimace when mispronouncing the names of Diderot and d'Alembert. That grimace gave me an intimate and profound pleasure.
p. 340
Un bon pretre m'avait prie de vous demander au dernier rabais possible votre Encyclopedie de Geneve.
A good priest had asked me to request from you your Geneva Encyclopédie at the lowest possible discount.
p. 341 — Settling Accounts
la plus belle [entreprise] qui ait ete faite en librairie
the finest [venture] that has ever been undertaken in the book trade
p. 342 — Settling Accounts
Je vais vous faire une belle affaire, mon cher ami, mais c'est à condition que personne n'en saura rien, pas même Panckoucke, notre ami commun. Cherchez un ou deux colporteurs qui ayent la confiance du public, et chargez-les de recevoir des souscriptions de l'Encyclopedie de Pellet dont je vous envoie le prospectus. Partagez avec eux le bénéfice. Vous voyez qu'en plaçant 13, vous gagneriez plus de 1400 livres. Vous annoncerez, ou pour mieux dire vos gens annonceront, que les 4
I am going to offer you a fine piece of business, my dear friend, but on condition that no one will know anything about it, not even Panckoucke, our mutual friend. Find one or two pedlars who have the public's trust, and charge them with taking subscriptions for the Encyclopédie by Pellet, of which I am sending you the prospectus. Share the profit with them. You can see that by placing 13 [sets], you would earn more than 1,400 livres. You will announce, or rather your people will announce, that the first 4
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
premiers volumes sont en vente à Geneve. Vous ne parlerez du tout point de moi ... Je me charge de l'entrée à Paris. Brûlez ma lettre.
first volumes are on sale in Geneva. You will not mention me at all ... I will take charge of [getting them] into Paris. Burn my letter.
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
la vilaine ame de Duplain.
the vile soul of Duplain.
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
Il ne perira pas. Mais il m'en a l'obligation.
He will not be ruined. But he owes me for it.
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
Vous pouvez, Messieurs, juger de la vilaine ame de Duplain par la lettre ci-jointe. Il etait bien convenu qu'en nous chargeant de ces 500 il ne ferait plus aucune negociation à Paris. Vous voyez comme il tient parole ... Il faut de votre côté ecrire partout pour en placer en province. Nous n'avons pas de temps à perdre ... Ne parlez point à Duplain de la lettre ci-dessus. Tout cela servira dans l'occasion. Une brouillerie actuelle ne servirait qu'à nous nuire.
You can, gentlemen, judge the vile soul of Duplain by the enclosed letter. It was clearly agreed that in taking charge of these 500 [sets] he would conduct no further negotiations in Paris. You see how he keeps his word ... On your side you must write everywhere to place [sets] in the provinces. We have no time to lose ... Say nothing to Duplain about the above letter. All of this will be of use when the occasion arises. A quarrel at this point would only harm us.
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
Vous ne sauriez croire encore combien les affaires de Batilliot m'ont tourmenté.
You cannot imagine how greatly Batilliot's affairs have troubled me.
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
Batilliot vient d'éprouver une faillite énorme, mais il s'en tirera. Nous nous mettons 5 à 6, et nous le cautionnons. C'est un brave homme qu'il nous importe de conserver.
Batilliot has just suffered an enormous bankruptcy, but he will get through it. Five or six of us are joining together and standing surety for him. He is an honest man whom it is important for us to keep.
p. 343 — Settling Accounts
Nous vous dirons sous le plus grand secret et par attachement pour vous que les sieurs Milon de la Fosse, banquiers à Paris, manquent, que Batilliot y est pour une somme énorme. Nous craignons bien le contrecoup pour notre ami Panckoucke, et comme nous savons que vous négociez avec Batilliot, nous vous en disons deux mots.
We will tell you in the strictest secrecy and out of attachment to you that the Messrs Milon de la Fosse, bankers in Paris, are failing, and that Batilliot is involved for an enormous sum. We greatly fear the repercussions for our friend Panckoucke, and since we know that you are doing business with Batilliot, we mention it to you briefly.
p. 344 — Settling Accounts
Comment, Messieurs, vous nous exposerez à perdre dans un instant et notre fortune et une riche speculation en imprimant un volume exécrablement mal, et il ne nous sera pas permis de nous plaindre? Si nous l'avons fait en termes trop amers, c'est que réellement nous étions grevés, et qu'il faut à un coeur surchargé un épanchement. Nous travaillons jour et nuit pour la réussite de l'affaire, et il semble, Messieurs, que vous fassiez tout ce que vous pouvez pour la détruire.
What, gentlemen, you will expose us to losing in an instant both our fortune and a rich speculation by printing a volume execrably badly, and we will not be permitted to complain? If we did so in terms that were too bitter, it is because we were genuinely aggrieved, and an overburdened heart needs an outlet. We work day and night for the success of the affair, and it seems, gentlemen, that you do everything you can to destroy it.
p. 344 — Settling Accounts
Nous devons prendre nos précautions par rapport à Duplain de manière qu'il ne puisse pas même soupçonner qu'on se défie de lui.
We must take our precautions with regard to Duplain in such a way that he cannot even suspect that one distrusts him.
p. 344 — Settling Accounts
Il faut cacher jusqu'à nos soupçons,
We must conceal even our suspicions,
p. 345 — Settling Accounts
Duplain fera usage de toute l'activité de son âme pour augmenter les frais, mais il ne divertira pas les fonds.
Duplain will make use of all the energy of his soul to inflate the costs, but he will not divert the funds.
p. 345 — Settling Accounts
Nous avons affaire à un homme très fin et très avide, qui ne mandera [sic] pas mieux de nous surprendre.
We are dealing with a very shrewd and very greedy man, who will ask nothing better than to catch us off guard.
p. 345 — Settling Accounts
Il faut l'y contraindre, l'y forcer,
He must be compelled, forced into it,
p. 346 — Settling Accounts
On ne peut pas nous imposer sur la vente. Les planches sont notre sûreté.
They cannot deceive us about the sales. The plates are our security.
p. 346 — Settling Accounts
Enfin, nous vous avouerons que c'est la dernière affaire que nous aurons avec lui.
In short, we will confess to you that this is the last business we will have with him.
p. 346 — Settling Accounts
Entendons-nous, concilions-nous, et ne nous détruisons pas.
Let us come to an understanding, let us reconcile ourselves, and let us not destroy one another.
p. 346 — Settling Accounts
Je crois qu'il sera bien important de ne rien laisser apercevoir à Lyon. Il faut voir le compte, l'examiner de sang froid, et faire ensuite nos observations. Je voudrais que ce fût le plus calme d'entre vous qui vînt à Lyon, ou bien il faudrait que vous y vinssiez deux.
I believe it will be very important not to let anything be perceived in Lyons. One must look at the account, examine it with a cool head, and then make our observations. I would like it to be the calmest among you who came to Lyons, or else you should go there as two.
p. 346 — Settling Accounts
une grande auberge sur le quai de la Saone où l'on est fort bien
a large inn on the quay of the Saône where one is very comfortable
p. 346 — Settling Accounts
Si vous arrivez avant moi à Lyon, je vous prie, Messieurs, de ne rien entamer que de concert. Nous avons forte partie, et soyez sûrs qu'on cherchera de toutes les manières à nous surprendre.
If you arrive in Lyons before me, I beg you, gentlemen, to undertake nothing except in concert. We have a strong hand, and be assured that they will seek in every way to catch us off guard.
p. 347 — Settling Accounts
Nous venons de perdre le professeur Bertrand, notre gendre et associé, décédé hier matin des suites d'une fièvre bilieuse dont tous les secours de l'art n'ont pu le délivrer. Il vous sera facile de vous peindre l'amertume de notre situation dans ce moment. Daignez la partager et nous continuer votre amitié.
We have just lost Professor Bertrand, our son-in-law and associate, who died yesterday morning as a result of a bilious fever from which all the resources of medicine could not deliver him. It will be easy for you to imagine the bitterness of our situation at this moment. Deign to share it and to continue your friendship toward us.
p. 347 — Settling Accounts
Il est affreux d'être moissonné si jeune. Je sais tout ce qu'une telle perte doit vous causer d'embarras, d'amertumes.
It is dreadful to be cut down so young. I know all the distress and bitterness that such a loss must cause you.
p. 347 — Settling Accounts
Quelque fâcheux que soit toujours un événement de ce genre dans nos circonstances, nous ne laisserons que de suivre nos affaires selon le plan qui nous a dirigés jusqu'ici.
However distressing an event of this kind must always be in our circumstances, we will nonetheless continue to pursue our affairs according to the plan that has guided us until now.
p. 348 — A Preliminary Reglement de Comptes
Messieurs Veuve d'Antoine Merlino et fils, seigneurs suzerains d'un million d'écus romains, et je suis encore leur caution vis-à-vis de vous avec trois immeubles considérables que la vente de mon fonds m'a mis dans le cas d'acquérir. Ainsi dormez bien sur les deux oreilles.
Messrs the Widow of Antoine Merlino and Son, suzerain lords of a million Roman crowns, and I am furthermore their guarantor toward you, backed by three considerable properties that the sale of my stock has put me in a position to acquire. So sleep easy on both ears.
p. 348 — A Preliminary Reglement de Comptes
Je n'ai point d'inquiétude pour les fonds. Mais je crois nécessaire, indispensable, quoiqu'en dise Duplain, de nous rendre à Lyon pour avoir un compte. Il ne faut pas se fier à toutes ses belles promesses.
I have no anxiety about the funds. But I believe it necessary, indispensable, whatever Duplain may say, for us to go to Lyons in order to obtain an account. One must not trust all his fine promises.
p. 348 — A Preliminary Reglement de Comptes
compte ... tout dressé ... pour l'examen et la vérification.
account ... fully drawn up ... for examination and verification.
p. 348 — A Preliminary Reglement de Comptes
voir clair
see clearly
Chapter IX.
p. 301
Je vous prie ... de me faire passer . . . ce Dictionnaire encyclopedique dont vous m'avez parle et relie proprement en veau; y joindre s.v.p. quelques sermons des meilleurs pour lire dans nos heures de devotion le dimanche en famille.
I beg you ... to send me ... this Encyclopaedic Dictionary of which you spoke to me, bound neatly in calf; [please] add, if you please, some of the best sermons for reading during our hours of devotion on Sunday as a family.
p. 301
qui ne laisse rien entrer dans nos magasins de ce qui est susceptible d'etre arrete. Comme cette Bible (n'est) pas toleree par le fanatique [sic], qui compose cette nouvelle inquisition, on ne manquera pas ile faire un proces verbal et de m 'interdire pour toujours, si je n 'avais la sage precaution de l 'eviter.
which lets nothing enter our shops that is liable to be seized. Since this Bible is not tolerated by the fanatic [sic] who makes up this new inquisition, they will not fail to draw up a formal report and ban me for ever, if I had not had the wise precaution of avoiding it.
p. 305 — Subscribers, A Case Study
Ce livre avait beaucoup de succes en bien des pays, mais il ne me parait pas qu'il prenne ici.
This book has had a great deal of success in many places, but it does not seem to me that it is catching on here.
p. 305 — Subscribers, A Case Study
une ville . . . ou les idees philosophiques avaient relativement peu penetre, l 'attachement aux traditions etait fortement enracine
a town ... where philosophical ideas had penetrated relatively little, [and] attachment to traditions was deeply rooted
p. 305 — Subscribers, A Case Study
27 exemplaires sont bien suffisant pour Besancon, meme en me donnant tout le mouvement possible.
27 copies are quite sufficient for Besançon, even making every effort possible.
p. 306 — Subscribers, A Case Study
le feu de l'Encyclopedie sera passe.
the fever [lit. fire] of the Encyclopédie will have passed.
p. 306 — Subscribers, A Case Study
Il est vrai que si l 'on eut ete assez adroit pour ne faire aucune suppression a la premiere edition, j'en aurais place 600, et je n'aurais supporte aucuns reproches, au lieu que je n 'en ai place que 300 dont je reçois des reproches continuels. C 'est un fait vrai.
It is true that if one had been clever enough to make no cuts to the first edition, I would have placed 600, and I would have endured no reproaches, whereas I have placed only 300, for which I receive continual reproaches. That is a true fact.
p. 306 — Subscribers, A Case Study
Ayant farci ma petite province de 390 exemplaires de votre Encyclopedie in-quarto . . . il n 'est plus possible de trouver a place aucune. Vous devez etre bien content,
Having stuffed my little province with 390 copies of your Encyclopédie in quarto ... it is no longer possible to place any [more]. You must be very pleased,
p. 306 — Subscribers, A Case Study
des civilites palpables
tangible civilities [i.e., substantial gifts]
p. 306 — Subscribers, A Case Study
Ne croyez pas, je vous prie, que je fais ici une grande consommation de livres. Je vous jure qu'apres l 'Histoire universelle, l 'Histoire ecclesiastique, celle de l 'Eglise gallicane, la Bible de Vance, l 'Encyclopedie et le Rousseau, le reste me laisse dans une vacance depuis deux ans.
Do not believe, I beg you, that I have a large consumption of books here. I swear to you that after the Universal History, the Ecclesiastical History, that of the Gallican Church, the Bible of Vance, the Encyclopédie and the Rousseau, the rest has left me idle for two years.
p. 307 — Subscribers, A Case Study
Cette noblesse de robe tient le 'haut du pave,' en l 'absence d 'une noblesse d 'epee numeriquement peu importante et d 'une bourgeoisie presque inexistante
This nobility of the robe holds the 'upper hand,' in the absence of a nobility of the sword [that is] numerically of little importance and a bourgeoisie that is almost non-existent
p. 311 — Subscribers, A Case Study
feu de l 'Encyclopedie
fever [lit. fire] of the Encyclopédie
p. 312 — Diffusion in France
Les negociants ne pensent guere a la litterature.
Merchants hardly think about literature.
p. 312 — Diffusion in France
Je ne doute point, Monsieur, que vous ne trouviez dans le reste de la France de quoi vous dedommager amplement du peu de gout qui regne dans notre ville pour la litterature. Nous commençons seulement sortir de cette Iethargie qui a enchaine l'Europe pendant plusieurs siecles. Notre climat ou plutot notre sol n 'est point fecond en gens studieux; et il y a cinquante ans on n 'aurait pas trouve une seule bibliotheque passable dans tout Lille.
I have no doubt, Monsieur, that you will find in the rest of France enough to compensate you amply for the little taste that prevails in our town for literature. We are only beginning to emerge from that lethargy which has enchained Europe for several centuries. Our climate, or rather our soil, is not fertile in studious people; and fifty years ago one would not have found a single decent library in all of Lille.
p. 312 — Diffusion in France
Notre ville n 'offre point d 'amateurs de litterature. Les libraires n 'y font rien . . . et je dirai a la honte de nos citoyens que l'esprit de vendre des draps et d'amasser est le seul qui les decore. Vous ne croiriez pas, Monsieur, qu'on dedaigne meme les talents et que l'on neglige d'en donner dans l'education des enfants. Les arts agreables leur semblent une chose inutile.
Our town offers no lovers of literature. The booksellers do nothing there ... and I will say, to the shame of our citizens, that the spirit of selling cloth and accumulating [wealth] is the only one that distinguishes them. You would not believe, Monsieur, that people even disdain talents and neglect to cultivate them in the education of children. The agreeable arts seem to them a useless thing.
p. 312 — Diffusion in France
Je ne prevois pas que vous puissiez les [the quartos] vendre ici, les ayant proposes a tout le monde ici, et personne jusqu 'ici n 'en est venu chercher un exemplaire. Ils sont plus avides de commerce que de lectures, et l'education y est absolument negligee ... Vous ne trouverez pas le debit de vos livres ici. MM. les nobles ne sont pas riches, et les negociants
I do not foresee that you will be able to sell them [the quartos] here, having proposed them to everyone here, and no one so far has come to fetch a copy. They are more eager for commerce than for reading, and education is absolutely neglected there ... You will not find a market for your books here. The nobles are not rich, and the merchants [the passage continues on the next page]
Appendix A. XV). The associates all agreed that the first two
p. 350
desirant obliger Messieurs de la Societe typographique
wishing to oblige the gentlemen of the Typographical Society
p. 351
notre homme de Lyon
our man from Lyon
p. 352
registre ... que nous relevames furtivement et sans qu 'il s 'en doutat il y a un an
register ... which we copied secretly and without his suspecting it a year ago
p. 353 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
troisieme edition, a Geneve
third edition, [printed] at Geneva
p. 354 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
Chacun sait que toutes les fois qu 'on travaille dans une imprimerie, il se trouve toujours plusieurs feuilles de papier ou defectueuses ou que les ouviers salissent, gatent, et dechirent, sans parler de celles qui servent pour !es epreuves. C 'est la raison pour laquelle celui qui fournit le papier en ajoute toujours un certain nombre en sus de ce qu 'il faut, et ce surplus se nomme chapelet ou chaperon. Lei la Societe invoque en toute confiance l 'usage generalement re~u dans tous !es lieux oil. l 'on fait rouler des presses et supplie Messieurs les arbitres de faire declarer sur le cas tel libraire de cette ville qu 'ils jugeront a propos d 'appeler. II n 'y a de difference que dans le nombre de feuilles a ainsi ajoutees pour chaperon. Quelquefois ii va une main par rame; le moins est ·une main pour deux rames.
Everyone knows that every time work is done in a printing shop, there are always several sheets of paper that are either defective or that the workers dirty, spoil, and tear, not to mention those that serve for proofs. That is the reason why whoever supplies the paper always adds a certain number over and above what is needed, and this surplus is called the chapelet or chaperon. Here the Society invokes with full confidence the usage generally received in all places where presses are run, and entreats the gentlemen arbitrators to have such a bookseller of this city as they see fit to call upon declare on the matter. The only difference is in the number of sheets thus added as chaperon. Sometimes it amounts to one quire per ream; the minimum is one quire for two reams.
p. 356 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
Nous sommes ici accables de livres, sans cesse dans la crainte de quelque delation au clerge et dans l 'huile bouillanfa>. ous seuls, Messieurs, causez nos peines.
We are here overwhelmed with books, constantly in fear of some denunciation to the clergy and [in boiling oil]. You alone, gentlemen, are the cause of our troubles.
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
superieure a l 'autre pour I 'execution, la correction etc.
superior to the other in execution, correction, etc.
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
notre bon abbe
our good abbé
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
fourmille de fautes innombrables et tres grossieres que l 'on reprochait avec tant de raison a I 'in-folio et qu 'un homme doue de bon sens n 'aurait jamais laisse passer s 'il avait lu avec attention
teems with countless and very gross errors that were so justly criticized in the folio edition and that a man endowed with good sense would never have allowed to pass had he read with attention
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
son bon ami l 'homme de l 'Eglise
his good friend the man of the Church
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
faux calcul par un animal de prate
false calculation by a brute of a foreman
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
la crise des volumes excedant le nombre 29
the crisis of the volumes exceeding the number 29
p. 357 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
une grosseur monstrueuse
a monstrous size
p. 358 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
D'ailleurs nous ne sommes point d'humeur de faire des avances, ayant besoin [de] nos fonds; et quant a ce que vous nous marquez sur le benefice que nous pouvons avoir sur I 'impression, vous en avez vous, Messieurs, un bien plus considerable sur la quantite de volumes que nous savons que vous avez fait imprimer au dessous du prix stipule.
Besides, we are not inclined to make advances, having need of our funds; and as for what you indicate to us regarding the profit we may have on the printing, you have yourselves, gentlemen, a considerably larger one on the quantity of volumes that we know you have had printed below the stipulated price.
p. 360 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
Les plaintes sont tres multipliees
The complaints are very numerous
p. 360 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
J 'ai une peur horrible que tout cela ne finisse par des proces.
I have a horrible fear that all this will end in lawsuits.
p. 360 — The Feud Between Duplain and the STN
Generalement vous agissez a notre egard avec une rigueur etonnante. Selon vos pretentious le fruit de tout notre travail serait reduit a rien ... Nous vous supplions de nous traiter comme les derniers de vos imprimeurs.
Generally you act toward us with astonishing harshness. According to your claims, the fruit of all our labor would be reduced to nothing ... We beseech you to treat us like the least of your printers.
p. 361
toutes les ressources soient epuisees en France
all the resources [would be] exhausted in France
p. 361
la province est rassassiee, ce que nous avons appris par un de nos commis, qui est de retour d'un voyage qu'il a fait dans les provinces meridionales de France, ou il n'en a place qu'une couple.
the provinces are satiated, which we learned from one of our clerks, who has returned from a journey he made in the southern provinces of France, where he placed only a couple [of subscriptions].
p. 361
l'equivalent d'un prospectus
the equivalent of a prospectus
p. 362
C'est un homme avide que ce M. Duplain et qui aime l'argent avec fureur.
This Mr. Duplain is a greedy man who loves money with a fury.
p. 362
De quelque maniere que vous traitiez, il faut
Whatever terms you negotiate, it is necessary [that]
p. 363
que Duplain reste interesse pour une part et l'obliger surtout a agir personnellement pour placer l'edition. Duplain brule de se retirer, et son activite nous est necessaire. Je vous prie de ne pas me compromettre. Duplain ne me pardonnerait de la vie de vous avoir donne un avis qui croise ses interets.
that Duplain remain invested for a share and above all oblige him to act personally to place the edition. Duplain is burning to withdraw, and his activity is necessary to us. I beg you not to compromise me. Duplain would never forgive me as long as he lived for having given you advice that crosses his interests.
p. 363
fautif tous egards
faulty in every respect
p. 364
Vous nous avez conseille tres sagement de dissimuler jusqu'au bout avec lui et de ne pas marquer notre juste mecontentement. En verite la chose devient de jour en jour plus difficile,
You advised us very wisely to dissemble with him to the end and not to show our just dissatisfaction. In truth the matter becomes more difficult day by day,
p. 364
griefs contre Duplain
grievances against Duplain
p. 364
avidite sans bornes
boundless greed
p. 365
Au nom de l'amitie, ne me compromettez jamais. Nous avons, malgre les plaintes que nous pourrions faire, nous concilier jusqu'a ce que tous les comptes soient rendus.
In the name of friendship, never compromise me. We must, despite the complaints we could make, reconcile ourselves until all the accounts have been rendered.
p. 365 — 480. Panckoucke then came around to the STN's opinion.
Il reste de la troisieme edition un nombre de 480 exemplaires, et nous voyons avec peine qu'il ne s'en vend plus. Nous croyons pour l'avantage de tous les interesses qu'il convient de se partager ce nombre, parce que chacun ayant ses moyens, il sera plutOt epuise.
There remain from the third edition a number of 480 copies, and we see with regret that no more are being sold. We believe, for the benefit of all those involved, that it is appropriate to divide up this number, because each person having his own means, [the stock] will be exhausted sooner.
p. 365 — 480. Panckoucke then came around to the STN's opinion.
a titre d'epouvantail
as a scarecrow [i.e., as a deterrent]
p. 365 — 480. Panckoucke then came around to the STN's opinion.
Nous sommes de votre avis de garder des menagements jusqu'a la clOture, et nous ne vous compromettrons jamais.
We are of your opinion to maintain discretion until the closing [of accounts], and we will never compromise you.
p. 365 — 480. Panckoucke then came around to the STN's opinion.
queue
tail end [i.e., remainder]
p. 368 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
assortiment de bons ouvriers
a set of good workers
p. 368 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
nos presses oisives
our idle presses
p. 370 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
a sa disposition
at his disposal
p. 370 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
un nomme M. Perrin, commissionnaire de Strasbourg, qui a une maison a Lyon, une a je crois Paris, et enfin un homme excessivement riche dont je vous reponds.
a certain Mr. Perrin, a commission agent from Strasbourg, who has an establishment in Lyon, one in Paris I believe, and in short an exceedingly wealthy man for whom I vouch.
p. 370 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
Je vous serai oblige de vous en faire informer par M. d'Arnal, sous main, si ce M. Perrin n'existe pas, si meme ce n'est qu'un prete-nom. C'est une friponnerie de Duplain que nous ne devons pas souffrir, parce que nous n'avons consenti la vente de ces exemplaires que parce qu'il nous a assure qu'on n'en vendait plus du tout et que meme il nous a menace si nous ne voulions pas consentir a cette vente qu'il etait determine a vendre a ce prix ses exemplaires. Priez M. d'Arnal de prendre les informations les plus secretes. Nous ne devons pas souffrir d'etre la dupe du tres avide Duplain.
I would be obliged to you if you would have Mr. d'Arnal discreetly find out whether this Mr. Perrin does not exist, whether he is merely a front man. This is a piece of roguery by Duplain that we must not tolerate, because we only consented to the sale of these copies because he assured us that none were being sold at all and even threatened us that if we did not consent to this sale he was determined to sell his own copies at that price. Please ask Mr. d'Arnal to make the most secret inquiries. We must not allow ourselves to be duped by the very greedy Duplain.
p. 370 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
Si les informations de M. d'Arnal sont conformes a mes soupçons, il faut les tenir tres secretes, laisser aller M. Duplain en avant, etc.
If Mr. d'Arnal's information conforms to my suspicions, they must be kept very secret, let Mr. Duplain proceed, etc.
p. 370 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
J'ai demande a Duplain le nom de l'acquereur de l'Encyclopedie. Il m'a nomme un certain Perrin. Je crains bien encore que ce soit un tour qu'il nous joue et qu'il ne soit lui-meme l'acquereur sous le nom de ce Perrin. Quoiqu'il puisse en etre, il faut user jusqu'au bout de tous les menagements possibles. Il faudra bien que ce Perrin se fasse connaitre, sa demeure, sa qualite. Je desire que mes soupçons ne soient pas fondes.
I asked Duplain the name of the purchaser of the Encyclopédie. He named a certain Perrin. I strongly fear that this is a trick he is playing on us and that he himself is the purchaser under the name of this Perrin. Whatever may be the case, one must employ to the end all possible discretion. This Perrin will have to make himself known — his address, his status. I hope that my suspicions are not well-founded.
p. 371 — 46. Duplain to STN, Sept. 2, 1779.
Plus nous examinons l'affaire de la vente ... et plus nous y decouvrons d'obscurites, de contradictions meme,
The more we examine the matter of the sale … the more we discover obscurities, even contradictions,
p. 372 — 55. D'Arnal to STN, Sept. 28, 1779.
et de procedes suspects.
and suspicious conduct.
p. 372 — 55. D'Arnal to STN, Sept. 28, 1779.
Vous nous chargez, Messieurs, d'une commission bien difficile a executer. Comment sans se compromettre pouyoir questioner, interroger, surtout etant connus pour ayoir des relations ayec yous? Vous sentez, Messieurs, que nous sommes par cela meme tres suspects a ceux qui pourraient nous donner quelques eclaircissements. Cependant, nous ayons engage un ami, qui est fort lie ayec M. Perrin, a nous preter son ministere pour sonder ledit sieur. 11 usera de toute l'adresse possible pour tacher d'arracher audit sieur son secret, et s'il n'y reussit pas, personne ne pourra se flatter de reussir. Mais ledit Perrin etant chargeur de M. D xxx, est par cette raison tres interesse a le menager. 11 est fort a craindre qu'il ne se determine pas aisement a le trahir ... Des que notre espion aura fait quelque decouYerte, nous nous haterons de yous en instruire.
You are charging us, Gentlemen, with a commission very difficult to carry out. How, without compromising oneself, [could one] question, interrogate, especially being known to have relations with you? You understand, Gentlemen, that we are for that very reason very suspect to those who might give us some clarification. Nevertheless, we have engaged a friend, who is closely connected with Mr. Perrin, to lend us his services to sound out the said gentleman. He will use every possible skill to try to wrest from the said gentleman his secret, and if he does not succeed in it, no one will be able to flatter himself that he can succeed. But the said Perrin being a shipping agent for Mr. D[uplain], is for that reason very interested in treating him carefully. It is very much to be feared that he will not easily resolve to betray him … As soon as our spy has made some discovery, we will hasten to inform you of it.
p. 373
Je suis persuade que Pellet n'est que le prete-nom de Duplain, et que ce Perrin n'est qu'un homme de paille ou un prete-nom comme Pellet. Enfin, ne dites rien, et laissez-le agir. Si cette vente n'est pas reelle, il faudra bien qu'il nous tienne compte.
I am convinced that Pellet is only a front man for Duplain, and that this Perrin is nothing but a straw man or a front man like Pellet. In short, say nothing, and let him act. If this sale is not real, he will certainly have to account to us [for it].
p. 374 — Settling Accounts
6589 places divers
6,589 [sets] placed [with] various [subscribers]
p. 374 — Settling Accounts
500 remis M. Panckoucke
500 handed over to M. Panckoucke
p. 374 — Settling Accounts
500 moi [Duplain]
500 [for] me [Duplain]
p. 374 — Settling Accounts
422 vendus suivant la derniere convention 156 livres [to Perrin]
422 sold according to the last agreement [at] 156 livres [to Perrin]
p. 374 — Settling Accounts
Je craignais bien que les gachis enormes qu'on a faits dans mes magasins, dans les envois, necessites par la promptitude de l'operation, qui a oblige d'employer de toutes sortes de personnes, ne nous eussent prive de bien d'exemplaires, et ne nous eussent pas mis dans le cas de faire une nouvelle recolte que voici. Comme le tome 36 va finir, je vais faire ranger
I was indeed afraid that the enormous waste that was created in my warehouses, in the shipments, made necessary by the speed of the operation, which obliged [us] to employ all sorts of people, had deprived us of a great many copies, and had put us in a position to make a new harvest, which is as follows. As volume 36 is coming to an end, I am going to have [things] sorted out
p. 375 — Settling Accounts
les defets, et ce qui va vous surprendre, c'est que j'ai deux magasins remplis. Il est donc question de savoir si la compagnie veut suivre mon avis, qui est de refaire les feuilles qui completeront les exemplaires; et je crois qu'avec une tres modique depense nous ferons 100, peut-etre 130, peut-etre plus encore d'exemplaires ... Quant a moi, Messieurs, mon avis est qu'on travaille sur le champ aux defets, qu'on refasse les feuilles qui produiront avec un gros avantage des exemplaires complets, et qu'on vende 156 livres les exemplaires revenants nets de l'operation, si M. Perrin, qui a achete les autres, le veut.
the defective sheets, and what will surprise you is that I have two warehouses full. The question therefore is whether the company wishes to follow my advice, which is to reprint the sheets that will complete the copies; and I believe that with a very modest expenditure we will produce 100, perhaps 130, perhaps even more copies ... As for me, gentlemen, my opinion is that work should begin immediately on the defective sheets, that the sheets which will, at great advantage, produce complete copies should be reprinted, and that the copies coming out net from the operation should be sold at 156 livres, if M. Perrin, who bought the others, is willing.
p. 375 — Settling Accounts
J'ai reçu le calcul en gros des exemplaires envoyes par M. Duplain. Les planches sont le thermometre de la vente. On les tire a 8,600. En supposant exact le calcul que nous avons fait a Lyon de 8,309 et en y joignant 130 ou 150 provenant des defets, nous nous rapprocherions beaucoup du nombre exact, mais nous serions bien eloignes du calcul de M. D. Tout cela ne peut se verifier que sur les lieux.
I have received the rough calculation of the copies sent by M. Duplain. The plates are the thermometer of the sales. They are printed at 8,600. Assuming the calculation we made at Lyon of 8,309 is accurate, and adding to it 130 or 150 [sets] coming from the defective sheets, we would come very close to the exact number, but we would be far removed from M. D.'s calculation. All of this can only be verified on the spot.
p. 376 — Settling Accounts
Nous observons qu'en general nous sommes constamment sur la defense et uniquement occupes a parer les bottes qu'il plaira de nous porter. Cette position n'est rien moins que la plus avantageuse. N'aurons-nous point en main de quoi agir un peu offensivement contre lui ?
We observe that in general we are constantly on the defensive and solely occupied with parrying the thrusts that he sees fit to direct at us. This position is anything but the most advantageous. Will we not have in hand something with which to act a little offensively against him?
p. 376 — Settling Accounts
on ne peut rien de plus cruel que leurs procedes a notre egard.
nothing could be more cruel than their conduct toward us.
p. 376 — Settling Accounts
qu'enfin il n'avait rien a demeler avec vous, Messieurs, et que c'etait par pure complaisance qu'il repondait aux lettres que vous lui ecrivez.
that in short he had nothing to do with you, gentlemen, and that it was out of pure courtesy that he replied to the letters you write to him.
p. 376 — Settling Accounts
Je suis bien persuade que ce Perrin n'est qu'un homme imaginaire ou tout au moins un prete-nom. D. est avide et ne se pique d'aucune delicatesse. Il faut bien se laisser vendre les exemplaires, et puis nous lui demanderons compte, la vente a Perrin n'ayant pas eu lieu ... Faites en sorte que Duplain ne soupçonne rien.
I am fully convinced that this Perrin is nothing but an imaginary person or at the very least a front man. D. is greedy and prides himself on no delicacy whatsoever. We must let the copies be sold, and then we will call him to account, the sale to Perrin not having taken place ... Make sure that Duplain suspects nothing.
p. 376 — Settling Accounts
Tout concourt a appuyer vos conjectures quant a notre associe touchant le veritable acquereur des exemplaires vendus en dernier lieu, et nous avons lieu d'esperer que nos amis de Lyon decouvriront encore quelque chose a ce sujet. Mais quoiqu'il en soit, nous ne pourrons manquer d'en savoir le vrai lors de la reddition [sic] des comptes ... Nous ne sonnerons mot jusqu'a l'epoque fatale, qui heureusement n'est pas eloignee.
Everything concurs in supporting your conjectures regarding our associate concerning the true buyer of the copies sold most recently, and we have reason to hope that our friends in Lyon will discover something more on this subject. But whatever the case may be, we shall not fail to learn the truth at the time of the rendering of accounts ... We will not breathe a word until the fateful moment, which fortunately is not far off.
p. 376 — Settling Accounts
Je pense toujours que ce Perrin est un homme de paille. Duplain nous joue. Je ne serai point dupe de sa cupidite.
I still think that this Perrin is a straw man. Duplain is playing us. I will not be duped by his greed.
p. 377 — The Anatomy of a Swindle
les chiffons de Duplain.
Duplain's scraps [of paper].
p. 377 — The Anatomy of a Swindle
reglement de comptes
settlement of accounts
p. 378 — Settling Accounts
4 ... Bergeret de Bordeaux 58 souscriptions,''
4 ... Bergeret of Bordeaux 58 subscriptions
p. 378 — Settling Accounts
Veuve Brun de Nantes 4 souscriptions ... 1,
Widow Brun of Nantes 4 subscriptions ... 1
p. 379 — Settling Accounts
le registre des souscriptions ... que nous relevames furtivement et sans qu'il [Duplain] s'en doutat il y a un an.
the subscription register ... which we copied furtively and without his [Duplain's] suspecting it a year ago.
p. 379 — Settling Accounts
Souscriptions dans le premier registre qui ne sont point dans le dernier.
Subscriptions in the first register that are not in the last [one].
p. 380 — Settling Accounts
130 ... 130 pour 120 souscriptions,''
130 ... 130 [sets] for 120 subscriptions
p. 380 — Settling Accounts
homrne de paille
straw man
p. 380 — Settling Accounts
Il [Duplain] vient de me mander que desirant m'eviter un proces, il a engage Perrin a me retroceder les 160 exemplaires de mes Encyclopedies, qu'il voulait a Paris a 156 livres sans port. J'ai accepte cette retrocession, qui me confirme de plus en plus que tout cela n'est qu'un jeu et que Perrin n'est qu'un prete-nom. Je suis bien sur qu'il n'y a eu aucune procedure et qu'il n'a pu y en avoir.
He [Duplain] has just written to inform me that, wishing to spare me a lawsuit, he has persuaded Perrin to transfer back to me the 160 copies of my Encyclopédies, which he wanted [delivered] in Paris at 156 livres without carriage. I have accepted this transfer, which confirms me more and more that all of this is nothing but a game and that Perrin is nothing but a front man. I am quite sure that there was no legal proceeding and that there could not have been one.
p. 380 — Settling Accounts
Vous avez tort, mon bon ami, de ne pas croire au proces que vous faisait a juste titre le sieur Perrin.
You are wrong, my good friend, not to believe in the lawsuit that the sieur Perrin was rightly bringing against you.
p. 381 — Settling Accounts
Il a fallu ecrire plusieurs lettres de Lyon pour nous assurer par des lettres des souscripteurs de la faussete des registres.
It was necessary to write several letters from Lyon to assure ourselves, by means of letters from the subscribers, of the falsity of the registers.
p. 381 — Settling Accounts
Audambron de Salasy & Jossinet 535 souscriptions pour 494.
Audambron of Salasy & Jossinet 535 subscriptions for 494.
p. 381 — Settling Accounts
535 pour 535,
535 for 535
p. 382 — Settling Accounts
le reste de l'edition, qui est surement vendu.
the remainder of the edition, which has certainly been sold.
p. 382 — Settling Accounts
nous Pel savons et sommes en etat de le prouver
we know it and are in a position to prove it
p. 382 — Settling Accounts
Tableau de ce qui devrait nous revenir de l'entreprise.
Table of what should come back to us from the enterprise.
p. 383 — Settling Accounts
pour fournir aux imperfections des deux editions premieres.
to supply [sheets] for the imperfections of the first two editions.
p. 383 — Settling Accounts
montant de l'edition
total [pressrun] of the edition
p. 383 — Settling Accounts
Il me dit qu'il y a environ 1500 livres a gagner pour lui de faire imprimer ici plutot que chez nous.
He told me that there are approximately 1,500 livres to be made for him by having [it] printed here rather than at our establishment.
p. 384 — Settling Accounts
connivance punissable
punishable connivance
p. 384 — Settling Accounts
ce qui faisait son compte comme imprimeur mais non point celui de l'entreprise.
which served his purposes as a printer but by no means those of the enterprise.
p. 384 — Settling Accounts
Compte general du cont de chaque volume,
General account of the cost of each volume
p. 384 — Settling Accounts
1,361,385 [Duplain's reported costs, in livres]
1,234,296 depense reelle
127,089 trop porte
1,361,385 [Duplain's reported costs, in livres] / 1,234,296 actual expenditure / 127,089 overcharged
p. 384 — Settling Accounts
Dernieres observations a l'article des 13me et 2 livres 10 sous par exemplaire
Final observations on the article concerning the 13th [free copy] and 2 livres 10 sous per copy
Settling Accounts
p. 385
depense . . . infiniment plus considerable
expenditure . . . infinitely more considerable
p. 385
N'avoir pas pris la plume pour chiffrer nous coutera bien cher
Not having taken up the pen to calculate [the figures] will cost us dearly
p. 385
sacrifices horribles, tels que de lui allouer 60,000 livres pour menus frais
horrible sacrifices, such as allowing him 60,000 livres for miscellaneous expenses
p. 386
Note des debiteurs que M. Duplain reconnais insolvables ou chicaneurs
List of debtors whom M. Duplain acknowledges as insolvent or litigious
p. 386
J'ai paye exactement ma mise et j'aurais cru que parvenu a placer 7,500 exemplaires, il y aurait du avoir une dividende des benefices que doit avoir rendus une affaire aussi brillante.
I have paid my share exactly and I would have thought that, having managed to place 7,500 copies, there ought to have been a dividend from the profits that so brilliant an enterprise must have yielded.
p. 388 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Je desirerais que cet apartement flit bien eclaire et donnat sur la rue. Nous etions bien tristement a l'Hotel d'Angleterre.
I would like this apartment to be well lit and to look out onto the street. We were very miserably [lodged] at the Hôtel d'Angleterre.
p. 388 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Vous devez bien imaginer que ce n'est pas l'ouvrage de trois minutes,
You must well imagine that this is not the work of three minutes,
p. 388 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Je crois avoir fait faire l'impossible en vendant 8,000 Encyclopedies, en les imprimant, et rendant des comptes en 18 a 21 mois,
I believe I have accomplished the impossible in selling 8,000 Encyclopédies, printing them, and rendering accounts in 18 to 21 months,
p. 388 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Vos Suisses sont des gens affames. Je souhaite qu'ils soient rassassies, mais j'en doute bien fort. Il y a, je suis sfir, encore 400,000 livres en l'air.
Your Swiss are starving men. I hope they will be satisfied, but I very much doubt it. There are, I am sure, still 400,000 livres up in the air.
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
J'ai plus d'occupations que je n'en puis suivre. Vous pouvez arriver a la fin de ce mois. J'espere etre meme en ce temps de rendre a M. Panckoucke un compte peu pres juste. Il a encore des sommes enormes en arriere, et vous en serez persuades sur le compte que vous en rendra M. Panckoucke. Il n'a pas fallu etre manchot pour vendre, imprimer, et realiser en trois ans huit mille Encyclopedies et etre en etat de rendre un compte. Je vous repete, Messieurs, ce que j'ai ecrit a M. Panckoucke, que mon compte sera entierement conforme au traite, que comme je ne lui demanderai pas une obole de plus que ce que m'alloue le traite, je ne cederai pas un denier de mes droits.
I have more business than I can keep up with. You may arrive at the end of this month. I hope to be able even by that time to render M. Panckoucke a roughly accurate account. He still has enormous sums outstanding, and you will be persuaded of this by the account that M. Panckoucke will give you. One would have had to be no slouch to sell, print, and realize in three years eight thousand Encyclopédies and be in a position to render an account. I repeat to you, gentlemen, what I have written to M. Panckoucke: that my account will be entirely in conformity with the contract, [and] that just as I will not ask him for one obol more than the contract allows me, I will not yield a penny of my rights.
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Nous avons deja eu quelques scenes rudes au sujet de nos comptes avec M. Duplain,
We have already had some rough scenes regarding our accounts with M. Duplain,
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Tels que les combats de coqs en Angleterre, Panckoucke et Duplain se sont donnes de forts assauts.
Like cockfights in England, Panckoucke and Duplain have exchanged fierce blows.
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
inquietude sur la crise ou vous etes
anxiety about the crisis you are in
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
nous quatre ... appuyes de d'Arnal comme troupe auxiliaire
the four of us ... supported by d'Arnal as an auxiliary force
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
nous fortifier de votre appui. Croyez-nous, la chose en vaut la peine.
strengthen ourselves with your support. Believe us, the matter is worth it.
p. 389 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Je sens tout le besoin que nous avons de nous preter mutuellement nos secours,
I feel all the need we have to lend each other mutual assistance,
p. 390 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Compte general du cofit de chaque volume
General account of the cost of each volume
p. 392 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Voila, ce nous semble, les premieres propositions d'accommodement que nous pouvons lui faire et dont notre avis n'est point de nous departir, a moins qu'en nous donnant l'inventaire general que nous demandons il nous mette dans le cas de nous relacher,
These, it seems to us, are the first settlement proposals we can make to him and from which it is our intention not to depart, unless by giving us the general inventory we are requesting he puts us in a position to relax [our demands],
p. 392 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Ce que l'on fait un jour peut etre detruit le lendemain ... Nous nous en occupons le jour et la nuit, et il le faut bien quand on a a faire a gens de cette sorte. Mais s'il plait a Dieu et a notre bon droit, nous en sortirons et peut-etre plutôt que ne le pense Duplain, grace a sa friponnerie averee.
What one does one day can be undone the next ... We are occupied with it day and night, and it is indeed necessary when one has to deal with people of this sort. But if it please God and our good right, we will come through it and perhaps sooner than Duplain thinks, thanks to his proven roguery.
p. 392 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Releve des registres des souscriptions
Summary of the subscription registers
p. 392 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Tableau de ce qui devrait nous revenir de l'entreprise
Statement of what ought to come back to us from the enterprise
p. 392 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Produit net de l'entreprise tel qu'il doit etre reellement
Net yield of the enterprise as it ought really to be
p. 392 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
Aperçu de l'Encyclopedie fait a Lyon par M. Panckoucke
Overview of the Encyclopédie drawn up in Lyon by M. Panckoucke
p. 393 — The Final Confrontation in Lyons
insatiable cupidite
insatiable greed
p. 393 — Denouement
Nous nous empressons, Madame, de vous communiquer la fin de notre combat avec Duplain, qui heureusement est termine sans sang repandu.
We hasten, Madame, to communicate to you the end of our battle with Duplain, which happily has been concluded without bloodshed.
p. 394 — Denouement
le perdre de reputation tant ici qu'a Paris
to ruin his reputation both here and in Paris
p. 394 — Denouement
l'exacte verite
the exact truth
p. 394 — Denouement
un effet de la generosite de ses procedes
an effect of the generosity of his conduct
p. 394 — Denouement
Par le tableau detaille qui a ete fait, il conste que le sieur Duplain a eu de benefice net avant aucun partage et dont il tient l'argent plus de 400,000 livres.
From the detailed statement that has been drawn up, it is established that the said Duplain had a net profit before any division, and of which he holds the money, of more than 400,000 livres.
p. 395 — Denouement
Duplain nous a trompe en falsifiant la clause de l'acte [the final contract of Feb. 12, 1780]. Le Roy ne s'est engage qu'a fournir ce que les magasins produiraient.
Duplain deceived us by falsifying the clause of the deed [the final contract of Feb. 12, 1780]. Le Roy only undertook to supply what the warehouses would yield.
p. 395 — Denouement
Il est certain qu'il [Duplain] a livre ses magasins de defets et qu'on y a fait pour nous les recherches auxquelles il s'etait oblige par ses actes. Il n'etait pas oblige a autre chose. Il n'est pas dit dans la derniere transaction passee a Lyon qu'il sera oblige de fournir les defets lorsqu'ils manqueront. Il n'est pas parle de reimpression ... Ces exemplaires imparfaits ne sont pas absolument sans valeur.
It is certain that he [Duplain] has delivered his warehouses of defective sheets and that the searches to which he had obligated himself by his deeds were carried out in them on our behalf. He was not obligated to anything else. It is not stated in the last transaction concluded in Lyon that he will be obligated to supply the defective sheets when they run out. There is no mention of reprinting ... These imperfect copies are not entirely without value.
Appendix A
p. 397
Erreurs a notre debit dans le compte de Monsieur Joseph Duplain
Errors [charged] to our debit in the account of Monsieur Joseph Duplain
p. 397
Omissions a notre credit
Omissions [in] our credit
p. 601 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
son avide associe de tous les frais des trois editions portees a force d 'artifice a des sommes enormes, qui assurent au sieur Duplain plus de 100,000 ecus de benefice, tandis qu 'il ne reste a Monsieur Panckoucke, victime de sa bonne foi et de sa confiance, que les tristes regrets d 'avoir sacrifie trois volumes deja imprimes, plus de 9000 livres payes pour copies, ses cuivres, ses privileges, et son travail de plus de douze annees, qui aurait rendu ces titres respectables a tout autre que le sieur Duplain, travail qui assurait le succes d 'une entreprise dont les trois quarts du benefice ne peuvent rassasier son insatiable cupidite.
his greedy associate [charged] all the costs of the three editions, inflated by artifice to enormous sums, which guarantee Sieur Duplain more than 100,000 écus in profit, while nothing remains for Monsieur Panckoucke, victim of his good faith and his trust, but the sad regrets of having sacrificed three volumes already printed, more than 9,000 livres paid for copy, his copper plates, his privileges, and his work of more than twelve years, which would have rendered these titles respectable to anyone other than Sieur Duplain, work which assured the success of an enterprise whose three-quarters of the profit cannot satisfy his insatiable greed.
p. 601 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
Telle est la situation de M. Panckoucke, qui, reduit a la <lure neces site de livrer son associe infidele a la vindicte publique, prefere de lui faire des sacrifices qui puissent le sauver de l 'opprobre.
Such is the situation of M. Panckoucke, who, reduced to the harsh necessity of delivering his faithless associate to public condemnation, prefers to make him concessions that might save him from disgrace.
p. 601 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
Nous nous empressons, Madame, de vous communiquer la fin de notre combat avec Duplain, qui heureusement est termine sans sang repandu.
We hasten, Madame, to inform you of the end of our battle with Duplain, which fortunately has ended without bloodshed.
p. 601 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
Apres avoir epuise a nous quatre toutes nos reponses, appuyes de d'Arnal comme troupe auxiliaire; apres avoir ete obliges de dresser nous memes nos comptes sur les chiffons de Duplain et le depouillement de nos actes; a pres nous etre convaincus que la vente de Perrin etait une vente supposee et une escroquerie de 48,000 livres qu 'il voulait soustraire a la societe et que le registre des souscriptions re~ues qu 'il venait de nous remettre compare avec celui que nous relevames furtivement et sans qu 'il s 'en doutat il y a un an etait faux; a pres que l'ecrivain [Bosset] a ete oblige de faire hier une descente chez lui a la tete des gens de justice, savoir commissaire, huissier, et procureur pour demander que ses livres soient compulses juridiquement de meme que ses magasins, ce qui a opere l 'aveu de l 'escroquerie de ces 48,000 livres; l 'apres-midi ayant mis de ses propres parents et amis a ses trousses pour lui faire comprendre que nous allions le perde de reputation taut ici qu 'a Paris, nous sommes parvenus lui faire donner par le canal de M. Panckoucke la somme de 200,000 livres en ses billets [places] dans 10, 15 et 20 mois, ce qui par le tableau que nous avions de l'entreprise et des accessoires enormes dont elle etait chargee nous fait tous regarder comme un bonheur d 'avoir termine ainsi.
After the four of us had exhausted all our arguments, supported by d'Arnal as auxiliary troops; after having been obliged to draw up our own accounts from Duplain's scraps of paper and the examination of our documents; after having convinced ourselves that the Perrin sale was a fictitious sale and a fraud of 48,000 livres which he wanted to divert from the partnership, and that the register of subscriptions received which he had just handed over to us, compared with the one we had surreptitiously extracted without his knowledge a year ago, was false; after the [clerk] Bosset was obliged yesterday to make a raid on his premises at the head of officers of justice, namely a commissioner, a bailiff, and a solicitor, to demand that his books be legally examined as well as his warehouses, which brought about the admission of the fraud of those 48,000 livres; [and after] in the afternoon having set his own relatives and friends on his heels to make him understand that we were going to ruin his reputation both here and in Paris, we succeeded in getting him, through M. Panckoucke, to hand over the sum of 200,000 livres in his promissory notes [payable] in 10, 15, and 20 months, which, given the account we had of the enterprise and the enormous additional charges with which it was burdened, makes us all consider it fortunate to have settled thus.
p. 601 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
S'etant toujours obstine ne vouloir donner que 128 [mille] livres, alleguant une perte considerable essuyer sur la queue de cette
Having always stubbornly insisted on giving only 128 [thousand] livres, alleging a considerable loss to be incurred on the tail end of this
p. 602 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
affaire et des prod~s a soutenir contre quantite de souscripteurs etc. etc., il a fallu pour l'amener a cette somme lui abandonner le profit faire sur la Table analytique, qui a ete evalue a 25 mille livres, dont il avait deja traite avec Le Roy, de fagon que vous voyez, Madame, que bien malgre nous, il faut renoncer a cette entreprise.
affair and of lawsuits to be sustained against a quantity of subscribers etc. etc., it was necessary, in order to bring him to this sum, to relinquish to him the profit to be made on the Analytical Table, which was valued at 25 thousand livres, for which he had already negotiated with Le Roy, so that you see, Madame, that much against our will, we must give up this enterprise.
p. 602 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
Il a fallu de plus y comprendre encore 24 mille livres que MM. de Lausanne payeront pour l 'entree de leur 8°, mais qui regardent seul M. Panckoucke, soit la Societe de Liege, en faveur de qui nous nous sommes depouilles volontairement de nos droits sur les privileges de l 'Encyclopedie, comme vous le savez, en sorte que M. Duplain donne 176 mille livres et que c 'est M. Panckoucke par les 24 mille livres qui complete les 200 mille livres.
It was further necessary to include an additional 24 thousand livres that the gentlemen of Lausanne will pay for the entry of their octavo, but which concern only M. Panckoucke, or rather the Société de Liège, in favor of whom we voluntarily relinquished our rights to the privileges of the Encyclopédie, as you know, so that M. Duplain gives 176 thousand livres and it is M. Panckoucke through the 24 thousand livres who completes the 200 thousand livres.
p. 602 — 5. Ostervald and Bosset in Lyons to Mme. Bertrand in Neuchatel, February 13, 1780
Voici, Madame, de tout cela ce qui en resulte pour nous: nos 5/12 de ces 200 mille livres font ... 83,666 livres, qui avec ce que nous avons precedemment regu de M. Panckoucke et notre part des 3 volumes vendus a la rame, deduction faite de ce que l 'on avait paye a M. Suard, feraient a peu pres le montant des 90,000 livres que nous avons payes a M. Panckoucke pour entrer dans ses privileges en nos billets, dont la moitie environ est encore a payer dans le courant de cette annee et la suivante, au moyen de quoi qu'en attendant le succes de l 'Encyclopedie rnethodiqne a laquelle M. Panckoucke travaille a. force a Paris et laquelle est sous presse, nous avons de profit reel le montant de nos 208 exemplaires, qui evalues a 250 livres ferait enYiron 50,000, ce qui est en effet bien modique, apres avoir ete presque convaincu que nous pourrions doubler cette somme, et qui l'aurait ete certainement sans les fautes impardonnables qu'il y a eu dans la gestion de cette affaire et dans les traites . . .
Here, Madame, is what all of this amounts to for us: our 5/12 of these 200 thousand livres comes to … 83,666 livres, which together with what we previously received from M. Panckoucke and our share of the 3 volumes sold by the ream, after deducting what had been paid to M. Suard, would come to approximately the amount of the 90,000 livres we paid M. Panckoucke to enter into his privileges through our promissory notes, of which about half remains to be paid during the course of this year and the next, by means of which, while awaiting the success of the Encyclopédie méthodique on which M. Panckoucke is working strenuously in Paris and which is at press, our real profit is the value of our 208 copies, which evaluated at 250 livres would come to approximately 50,000, which is indeed quite modest, after having been almost convinced that we could double that sum, and which we certainly would have done without the unpardonable mistakes that were made in the management of this affair and in the agreements…
Epilogue
p. 398
Nous devons benir Dieu de nous en etre tires comme cela.
We must thank God for having got out of it like that.
p. 399
Les libraires de France n'ont ni foi ni loi, ne sachant pas meme distinguer ce qui est honnete d'avec ce qui ne l'est pas.
The booksellers of France have neither faith nor law, not even knowing how to distinguish what is honest from what is not.
p. 400
ce roue de Barret
that scoundrel Barret
p. 400
enfin rendre a toutes ces honnetes gens les tours qu'ils nous ont faits.
finally pay back all those fine people for the tricks they have played on us.
p. 401
se plaint amerement de nous, et il peut avoir raison.
complains bitterly about us, and he may be right.
p. 401
successeur de M. Duplain et son digne eleve
M. Duplain's successor and his worthy pupil
p. 402
afin de n'avoir rien a demeler dans la suite avec un homme peu digne de notre confiance.
so as to have nothing more to do hereafter with a man little worthy of our trust.
p. 402
qui n'est bon ni a rotir ni a bouillir
who is good for neither roasting nor boiling [i.e., utterly worthless]
p. 402
belle occasion de prendre quelque revanche
fine opportunity to take some revenge
p. 402
veritable Encyclopedie.
true Encyclopédie.
p. 403
Vous feriez un grand tort a l'enterprise de Panckoucke veritablement immense et capable d'entrainer sa ruine, si elle venait a echouer par l'execution de votre projet ... Il y a quelque inhumanite a lui faire un tort si grave.
You would do great harm to Panckoucke's enterprise, which is truly immense and capable of bringing about his ruin if it were to fail through the execution of your plan … There is something inhumane in causing him such serious injury.
p. 403
Quant au Supplement que vous proposez de l'Encyclopedie . . . soyez assure qu'il fera tout ce qui dependra de lui pour en empecher le cours; et il pourra beaucoup contre, ce que je crois, par plusieurs raisons que vous pouvez soupçonner.
As for the Supplement to the Encyclopédie that you propose … be assured that he will do everything in his power to prevent its circulation; and he will be able to do a great deal against it, I believe, for several reasons that you can guess.
p. 403
Les societes typographiques de Berne et Neuchatel et M.J.P. Heubach et Compagnie de Lausanne vont travailler de concert a completer les
The typographical societies of Bern and Neuchâtel and M. J. P. Heubach and Company of Lausanne will work together to complete the
p. 404
editions de l'Encyclopedie par ordre alphabetique, a peu de frais pour les aequereurs, et les rendre equivalentes par un Supplement bien entendu a l'Encyclopedie par ordre des matieres qui s'imprime a Paris. On trouve chez chacune de ces trois maisons le Prospectus de ce Supplement, qu'elles proposent par souscription, avec les details de ce plan et des conditions auxquelles on peut se le procurer dans les trois formats, folio, quarto, et octavo. On n'imprimera que le nombre pour lequel on aura souscrit.
editions of the Encyclopédie in alphabetical order, at little expense for the purchasers, and render them equivalent by means of a well-conceived Supplement to the Encyclopédie arranged by subject matter that is being printed in Paris. Each of these three houses carries the Prospectus of this Supplement, which they offer by subscription, with the details of this plan and the conditions under which it may be obtained in all three formats, folio, quarto, and octavo. Only the number subscribed for will be printed.
p. 404
En poursuivant une entreprise utile pour vous, vous avez nui a ces societes [Lausanne and Bern] ; en poursuivant une entreprise qui peut leur etre utile, il serait possible qu'elles vous nuissent. Tel est l'ordre des choses dans le monde, que le bien de l'un ne peut se faire sans un peu de mal pour quelqu'autre.
In pursuing an enterprise useful to yourself, you harmed these societies [Lausanne and Bern]; in pursuing an enterprise that may be useful to them, it would be possible that they might harm you. Such is the order of things in the world, that the good of one cannot be achieved without a little harm to another.
p. 404
mercredi dernier
last Wednesday
p. 404
forcer ce corsaire a nous rendre l'argent qu'il nous a extorque. C'est un homme d'une insigne mauvaise foi.
force that corsair to return the money he extorted from us. He is a man of notorious bad faith.
p. 405
Avez-vous de bonnes nouvelles pour le Supplement?
Do you have good news about the Supplement?
p. 405
Nous en recevons de plusieurs endroits des nouvelles tres satisfaisantes, et nous esperons de pouvoir realiser cette combinaison dans le courant de l'ete.
We are receiving very satisfactory news about it from several quarters, and we hope to be able to carry out this scheme in the course of the summer.
p. 405
des lettres tres encourageantes
very encouraging letters
p. 405
rondeur helvetique
Swiss straightforwardness
p. 405
Il ne faut pas promettre plus de beurre que de pain, ne croire que ce que l'on voit, et
One must not promise more butter than bread, believe only what one sees, and
p. 406
ne compter que sur ce que l'on tient avec les quatres doigts et le pouce,
count only on what one holds with four fingers and a thumb [i.e., what one has firmly in hand],
p. 406
ce vilain homme
that wicked man
p. 406
le roue
the scoundrel
p. 406
les surnoms de pirate, de corsaire, de forban que l'on prodigue jusqu'a la satiete dans les libelles platement injurieux.
the epithets of pirate, corsair, and brigand that are lavished to the point of satiety in those crudely abusive pamphlets.
p. 406
M. Duplain avait fait mettre en prison le sieur Gauthier [a bookseller from Bourg-en-Bresse]. Nous ignorons les circonstances.
M. Duplain had had the said Gauthier [a bookseller from Bourg-en-Bresse] put in prison. We are unaware of the circumstances.
p. 407
Nous sommes ecrases par les non-rentrees, par la provision des papiers pour l'hiver, par la troisieme edition dont les deux premiers volumes sont en vente, et il ne nous est pas possible de faire face encore a vos demandes.
We are overwhelmed by the non-receipts, by the supply of paper for the winter, by the third edition whose first two volumes are on sale, and it is not possible for us to meet your demands as well.
p. 407
Nous vous prions a lettre reçue de nous faire envoi du tome 24. Nous assemblons et collationnons 21, 22, 23. Nous joindrons a cet envoi tous defets. Nous attendons que M. Panckoucke ait fini le traite nouveau a signer pour vous envoyer un nouveau volume, et il attend, dit-il, votre ratification. Cela ne nous regarde pas. Tout ce que nous pouvons dire a M. Panckoucke, c'est que nos frais sont immenses . . . Nous sommes assaillis de protets. Toulouse a en arriere 10,000, mais nous conduirons la barque au port.
We beg you, upon receipt of this letter, to send us volume 24. We are assembling and collating 21, 22, 23. We will include with this shipment all defective sheets. We are waiting for M. Panckoucke to have finished the new agreement to sign before sending you a new volume, and he is waiting, he says, for your ratification. That is not our concern. All we can tell M. Panckoucke is that our expenses are immense … We are beset by protests [unpaid bills]. Toulouse is 10,000 in arrears, but we will steer the boat to port.
p. 408
Vous vous mariez, mon cher ami; je vous en fait mon compliment. La future est jeune, jolie, aimable; je vous les redouble. Le mariage est le veritable etat du bonheur, quand on sait bien s'y gouverner. Je vous prie de presenter mes hommages respectueux a la demoiselle qui sera votre dame lorsque vous recevrez cette lettre. Parlons de nos affaires.
You are getting married, my dear friend; I congratulate you. The bride-to-be is young, pretty, charming; my congratulations are doubled. Marriage is the true state of happiness, when one knows how to conduct oneself in it. I beg you to present my respectful regards to the young lady who will be your wife when you receive this letter. Let us talk of our business.
p. 408
Tout le monde est mecontent de M. Duplain; son luxe revolte bien des gens.
Everyone is displeased with M. Duplain; his extravagance shocks many people.
p. 408
On parle des richesses des libraires de Paris, mais y en a-t-il deux qui ayent equipage comme Duplain?
People speak of the wealth of the Parisian booksellers, but are there two among them who keep an equipage like Duplain's?
p. 408
Les valets se ressentent de l'impudence du maitre.
The servants take after the impudence of their master.
p. 408
attendant son depart pour la province, ou il compte se fixer.
awaiting his departure for the provinces, where he plans to settle.
p. 408
le sieur Duplain, qui, il y a quelques annees, avait a peine 40,000 livres et qui actuellement est assez riche pour penser a acheter une terre.
the said Duplain, who, a few years ago, barely had 40,000 livres and who is now rich enough to think of buying an estate.
p. 408
on se retire volontiers des affaires, quand on a amasse de 3000 a 4000 livres de rente
one willingly retires from business when one has accumulated 3,000 to 4,000 livres of annual income
p. 409
Madame Duplain est morte depuis trois semaines. Jugez quel chagrin pour M. le Maitre d'Hotel du Roi. Il semble que c'est un chatiment du ciel pour le punir de son avidite et de sa soif de l'or aux depens des uns et des autres.
Madame Duplain has been dead for three weeks. Imagine what grief for the Master of the King's Household. It seems like a punishment from heaven to punish him for his greed and his thirst for gold at the expense of one and all.
p. 409
Lesieur Duplain vient de se marier une fille de dix-sept ans,
Monsieur Duplain has just married a girl of seventeen,
p. 409
Comme il est fort riche, ce mariage fait bruit.
As he is very rich, this marriage is causing a stir.
p. 409
ministre de la litterature
minister of literature
p. 409
Je fais des speculations en litterature: je publie quarante volumes a dix mille exemplaires, comme font Panckoucke et les Beaudouin. Ma puissance et les articles que j'obtiens poussent une affaire de cent mille ecus au lieu de pousser un volume de deux mille
I engage in speculations in literature: I publish forty volumes at ten thousand copies, as Panckoucke and the Beaudouins do. My influence and the articles I obtain drive a business worth a hundred thousand écus instead of pushing a volume of two thousand
p. 409
Il vient d'acheter une charge de maitre d'hotel chez le roi de 115,000 livres. Il a passe ici 8 a 10 jours, mais je ne lui ai vu que quelques heures. Sa reception a absorbe tous ses instants ... Nous n'avons point eu le bonheur de posseder sa jolie femme.
He has just purchased the office of Master of the King's Household for 115,000 livres. He spent 8 to 10 days here, but I only saw him for a few hours. His reception consumed all his time ... We did not have the pleasure of enjoying the company of his pretty wife.
p. 409
qui est actuellement a Paris pour se faire pourvoir d'une charge de maitre d'hotel chez le roi ou chez la reine, charge qui passe cent mille livres de finance; qui, pour avoir l'espece de noblesse requise pour cette charge, achete une charge de secretaire du roi de quatre-vingt mille livres.
who is currently in Paris to obtain the office of Master of the Household to the king or to the queen, an office worth over a hundred thousand livres; who, in order to obtain the kind of nobility required for this office, is purchasing the office of secretary to the king for eighty thousand livres.
p. 409
C'est un homme dangereux, qui manquerait de bonne foi ... ou ... serait gene dans ses paiements par ceux qu'il aura ete oblige de faire pour sa savonette a vilain et sa charge de maitre d'hotel.
He is a dangerous man, who would act in bad faith ... or ... would be constrained in his payments by those he will have been obliged to make for his ennobling office [literally: 'soap for a villain'] and his office of Master of the Household.
p. 410
Dauriat est un drole qui vend pour quinze ou seize cent mille francs de livres par an, il est comme le ministre de la litterature . . . Son avidite, tout aussi grande que celle de Barbet, s'exerce sur des masses. Dauriat a des formes, il est genereux, mais il est vain; quant a son esprit, ça se compose de tout ce qu'il entend dire autour de lui; sa boutique est un lieu tres excellent a frequenter.
Dauriat is a fellow who sells fifteen or sixteen hundred thousand francs worth of books a year; he is like the minister of literature ... His greed, just as great as Barbet's, operates on a grand scale. Dauriat has manners, he is generous, but he is vain; as for his intellect, it is made up of everything he hears said around him; his shop is an excellent place to frequent.
p. 411
Je ne puis vous dire rien d'agreable sur le compte de M. Panckoucke : ses procedes envers moi sont durs jusqu'a la malhonnetete. M. Panckoucke est Belge, et dix fois Belge.
I cannot tell you anything pleasant about Monsieur Panckoucke: his conduct toward me is harsh to the point of dishonesty. Monsieur Panckoucke is a Belgian, and ten times over a Belgian.
p. 411
trop occupe et trop distrait
too busy and too absent-minded
p. 411
visionnaire
visionary
p. 411
belle entreprise
fine enterprise
p. 411
En un mot, je n'aspire qu'a nous mettre hors d'interet avec cet homme-la [Panckoucke], apres quoi nous verrons. Harle [Ostervald's son-in-law] vous en aura peut-etre parle et vous aura dit comme moi que Diderot l'avait assure que c'etait un homme de mauvaise foi, offrant d'en fournir la preuve;
In a word, my only ambition is to get us out of any financial entanglement with that man [Panckoucke], after which we shall see. Harle [Ostervald's son-in-law] may have spoken to you about it and told you, as I have, that Diderot had assured him that he was a man of bad faith, offering to furnish proof of it;
p. 411
cet homme bas et injuste.
that base and unjust man.
p. 422 — 10. STN to Panckoucke, July 28, 1778.
votre seconde patrie
your second homeland
p. 422 — 10. STN to Panckoucke, July 28, 1778.
lettre ostensible
ostensible letter [i.e., a letter intended to be shown to a third party]
p. 422 — 10. STN to Panckoucke, July 28, 1778.
vous pourrez nous dire quelque chose positif sur les oeuvres de V., continuant toujours à nous occuper de celles de Jean-Jacques.
you will be able to tell us something definite about the works of V[oltaire], while we continue to occupy ourselves with those of Jean-Jacques [Rousseau].
p. 423 — 13. STN to Panckoucke, Nov. 1, 1778.
Nous nous occupons fortement des oeuvres de Jean-Jacques . . . Si nous reussissons à terminer cette affaire, nous serons charmes, Monsieur, de vous proposer un arrangement qui resserre encore les liaisons que nous avons le plaisir de soutenir avec vous. Pour cet effet, nous vous proposons d'entrer pour une part dans votre entreprise du Voltaire. Il nous convient beaucoup mieux de la faire avec vous que d'entendre aux propositions qu'on nous fait d'ailleurs pour la contrefaire.
We are strongly occupied with the works of Jean-Jacques… If we succeed in concluding this affair, we will be delighted, Sir, to propose to you an arrangement that further strengthens the ties we have the pleasure of maintaining with you. To that end, we propose that you take a share in your Voltaire enterprise. It suits us much better to undertake it with you than to listen to the proposals being made to us elsewhere to pirate it.
p. 423 — 13. STN to Panckoucke, Nov. 1, 1778.
Voltaire est une grande affaire, et vous etes seul à meme de le faire; mais cela ne veut pas dire que vous le fassiez seul; et comme nous crayons que vous serez bien aise de trouver quelques aides, nous vous offrons nos services. Il sera toujours glorieux pour vous de donner au public les portefeuilles des deux plus grands hommes du siecle, car le Rousseau sera aussi une grande entreprise. Nous esperons de pouvoir vous en dire des nouvelles avant peu. La partie des Memoires qui existe est tres considerable. Il y aura beaucoup de pieces neuves et tres interessantes. On compte sur huit volumes in-quarto. Vous serez contrefait pour Voltaire et nous pour Rousseau. La chose est plus difficile quand nous serons reunis.
Voltaire is a great undertaking, and you alone are in a position to carry it out; but that does not mean you should do it alone; and since we believe you will be glad to find some helpers, we offer you our services. It will always be glorious for you to give the public the portfolios of the two greatest men of the century, for the Rousseau will also be a great enterprise. We hope to be able to give you news of it before long. The portion of the Memoirs that exists is very considerable. There will be many new and very interesting pieces. Eight quarto volumes are expected. You will be pirated for Voltaire and we for Rousseau. The thing is more difficult [to prevent] when we are united.
p. 424 — 13. STN to Panckoucke, Nov. 1, 1778.
Il me semble que vous imprimez trop de livres,
It seems to me that you print too many books,
p. 424 — 13. STN to Panckoucke, Nov. 1, 1778.
A votre place je ne voudrais pas de magasin. Cent mille livres qui circulent valent mieux que cent mille ecus en magasin de librairie. J'ai eu cette manie, en mars 1778. Mon fonds de livres etait un objet de quatorze cent mille livres. J'ai pense en etre la victime. Vous sentez bien que ce fonds ne rapportait pas l'interet de l'argent. Je voudrais n'avoir pas pour cent mille francs de livres, et je desirerais que mon portefeuille fût mieux garni.
In your place I would not want a warehouse. A hundred thousand livres in circulation are worth more than a hundred thousand écus sitting in a bookseller's warehouse. I had this obsession in March 1778. My stock of books was worth one million four hundred thousand livres. I thought I would be ruined by it. You can well understand that this stock did not yield interest on the money [invested]. I would prefer not to have a hundred thousand francs' worth of books, and I would wish my portfolio were better stocked [with liquid assets].
p. 424 — 13. STN to Panckoucke, Nov. 1, 1778.
Nous n'avons plus de temps à perdre. L'affaire des Liegeois est toujours en suspens ... Tout cela exige bien des courses, des travaux, des ecritures ... Je suis extremement occupe dans ce moment-ci. Je travaille à faire ma vente. Je ne garderai que les journaux, le Buffon, le Voltaire, et mes interets dans l'Encyclopedie. J'ai deja vendu six gros articles. Ma vente à la chambre aura lieu dans 15 jours . . . Il n'y a rien à faire du Rousseau sans les Memoires. Je puis seul faire le Voltaire. C'est une si grande affaire que je me suis determine, pour m'en occuper et m'y livrer entierement, à vendre presque tout mon fonds. Je ne crains pas beaucoup la contrefaçon. Savez-vous que j'ai de
We have no more time to lose. The affair of the Liegeois is still pending… All of this requires a great many trips, labors, and paperwork… I am extremely busy at this moment. I am working to arrange my sale. I will keep only the journals, the Buffon, the Voltaire, and my interests in the Encyclopédie. I have already sold six large items. My sale at the [book trade] chamber will take place in 15 days… There is nothing to be done with the Rousseau without the Memoirs. I alone can produce the Voltaire. It is such a great undertaking that I have resolved, in order to devote myself to it entirely, to sell almost all my stock. I am not very afraid of piracy. Did you know that I have [something to offer of]
p. 424 — 13. STN to Panckoucke, Nov. 1, 1778.
Cette operation me porte à realiser le plan que j'ai toujours eu de vendre mon fonds, hors l'Histoire naturelle.
This operation leads me to carry out the plan I have always had of selling my stock, except for the Histoire naturelle [Natural History].
p. 425 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
quoi donner 20 volumes nouveaux et que l'auteur m'a laisse 31 volumes corriges de sa main ?
enough to provide 20 new volumes and that the author left me 31 volumes corrected in his own hand?
p. 425 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Je n'ai point pris de resolution au sujet de Voltaire. C'est une tres riche mine d'or dont l'exploitation est difficile. Je prefererais de vendre mon manuscrit. Vous devriez vous occuper de cet objet et vous associer avec Berne, Lausanne, et vous gagneriez plusieurs millions. Toute l'Europe attend une nouvelle edition. Je vous donnerai les moyens de ne pas etre contrefaits. Le manuscrit me revient cent mille livres. Je veux doubler mon argent et 500 exemplaires. Vous n'avez pas d'idee de ce que j'ai acquis. J'ai tout reunis, et il y a telle correspondance qui m'a coute deux mille ecus. Enfin, je m'obligerai à donner 20 volumes nouveaux.
I have not yet made a decision regarding Voltaire. It is a very rich gold mine whose exploitation is difficult. I would prefer to sell my manuscript. You should concern yourselves with this matter and join forces with Berne and Lausanne, and you would make several millions. All of Europe is waiting for a new edition. I will give you the means to avoid being pirated. The manuscript costs me a hundred thousand livres. I want to double my money and [receive] 500 copies. You have no idea what I have acquired. I have brought everything together, and there is correspondence that cost me two thousand écus alone. In short, I will undertake to provide 20 new volumes.
p. 425 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Les embarras de sa vente m'ont pris aussi beaucoup de temps. J'ai encore 5 à 6 articles à placer, et j'y travaille. J'espere à la fin de janvier n'avoir que mes journaux et le Buffon. Encore je cherche un interesse pour ce dernier.
The difficulties of his sale also took up a great deal of my time. I still have 5 or 6 items to place, and I am working on it. I hope by the end of January to have nothing left but my journals and the Buffon. Even so, I am looking for a partner for the latter.
p. 425 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Le Buffon ne m'appartient qu'à moitié.
The Buffon belongs to me only in half.
p. 425 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
à la veille de faillir.
on the verge of going bankrupt.
p. 426 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
dernier mot sur le prix de la vente. Je ne donnerai point mon manuscrit à moins de trois cent mille livres. Il me coute, en especes, en argent comptant, cent mille livres . . . Comme vous n'etes pas accoutume à payer de copie, ce prix vous parait excessif; mais n'ai-je pas moi achete le droit de faire l'Encyclopedie 312 mille livres, après qu'on en eut passe 4,000, à Paris; et ce droit, ne l'ai-je pas revendu à peu près ce meme prix; et les Liegeois en troisieme lieu, ne nous l'ont-ils pas encore rendu ? Il y a plus à esperer du Voltaire que de l'Encyclopedie. Je sais que toute l'Europe attend une nouvelle edition.
final word on the sale price. I will not give up my manuscript for less than three hundred thousand livres. It costs me, in cash, in ready money, a hundred thousand livres… Since you are not accustomed to paying for copy, this price seems excessive to you; but did I not myself buy the right to produce the Encyclopédie for 312 thousand livres, after 4,000 [copies] had been sold in Paris; and did I not resell that right for roughly the same price; and did not the Liegeois, in the third instance, return it to us? There is more to be hoped from Voltaire than from the Encyclopédie. I know that all of Europe is awaiting a new edition.
p. 426 — 18. Panekoueke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Vous parlez d'un tirage de 4,000. Vous n'etes pas de bonne foi, mon ami. Vous tirerez 12, 15, 20 mille et vous n'en doutez pas. Je suis bien sûr que quand le prospectus aura paru, et il est tout prêt, vous en serez convaincu. J'y ai fait l'histoire du manuscrit. Vous meme m'assurez dans vos precedentes que nous aurions chacun 4 à 5 cent mille livres de benefice, mais moi je vous en assure qu'il y a le double et le triple à esperer et que je ne me fais point illusion. Comme cette entreprise est la seule grande affaire qui reste en librairie et que je l'envisage comme un moyen de me tirer du commerce avec une fortune proportionnee avec [les] grands moyens que j'ai employes dans cet etat, je suis bien decide à ne m'en desaisir que lorsqu'on m'en fera un tres grand avantage.
You speak of a print run of 4,000. You are not being sincere, my friend. You will print 12, 15, 20 thousand and you have no doubt of it. I am quite sure that when the prospectus appears — and it is entirely ready — you will be convinced of it. I have written the history of the manuscript in it. You yourself assure me in your previous letters that we would each make 400 to 500 thousand livres in profit, but I assure you that there is double and triple that to be hoped for and that I am not deceiving myself. Since this enterprise is the only great affair remaining in the book trade and since I regard it as a means of withdrawing from commerce with a fortune proportionate to the great resources I have employed in this field, I am firmly resolved not to part with it unless someone offers me a very great advantage.
p. 427 — 22. Panckoucke to STN, July 10, 1779.
Vous etes bien la cause, Messieurs, que j'ai manque cette grande et superbe entreprise. J'en aurais donne jusqu'a 40,000 livres. L'associe de Geneve a dine aujourd'hui avec moi. Je sais qui leur a vendu le manuscrit. Ce n'etait pas là le cas de marchander. J'ai un veritable regret d'avoir laisser echapper cette occasion. L'associe en a place plus de dix mille dans sa tournee.
You are very much the cause, gentlemen, of my having missed this great and superb enterprise. I would have offered up to 40,000 livres for it. The Geneva associate dined with me today. I know who sold them the manuscript. That was not the moment to haggle. I have a genuine regret at having let this opportunity slip away. The associate placed more than ten thousand [copies] on his tour.
p. 427 — 22. Panckoucke to STN, July 10, 1779.
Tout le plan de l'Encyclopedie methodique est trace. J'ai deja passe trois traites; les censeurs sont nommes, et je compte finir ma carriere par une belle entreprise.
The entire plan of the Encyclopédie méthodique is laid out. I have already concluded three agreements; the censors have been appointed, and I intend to end my career with a fine enterprise.
p. 427 — 22. Panckoucke to STN, July 10, 1779.
Nous n'avons agi que d'après ce que vous nous aviez conseillé d'en traiter avec M. Du Peyrou, qui s'est laisse mener par M. de Girardin, et celui-ci par M. de Moultou de Geneve, qui etant en possession d'une partie des manuscrits a voulu avoir part à l'entreprise et la voir executee sous ses yeux.
We acted only in accordance with what you had advised us, namely to negotiate with M. Du Peyrou, who allowed himself to be led by M. de Girardin, and the latter by M. de Moultou of Geneva, who, being in possession of a portion of the manuscripts, wished to have a share in the enterprise and to see it carried out under his supervision.
p. 428 — 23. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Je profiterai de leur division pour faire retarder leurs entreprises.
I will take advantage of their division to delay their undertakings.
p. 428 — 23. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
cournes, travaux, ecritures
trips, labors, paperwork
p. 428 — 23. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
J'oubliais la nouvelle la plus importante,
I was forgetting the most important news,
p. 428 — 23. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Je me suis enfin arrangé depuis deux jours avec les Liegeois. Je me mets à la tete de l'entreprise. Tout ce que j'ai eu en vue dans cette longue operation, c'est de retarder l'entreprise de six mois, car quoiqu'ils n'eussent pas reussi dans la maniere dont ils l'ont conçu, ils nous auraient fait un mal effrayable.
I have at last, within the past two days, reached an arrangement with the Liegeois. I am placing myself at the head of the enterprise. All that I had in view throughout this long operation was to delay the enterprise by six months, for although they would not have succeeded in the manner they conceived it, they would have done us a frightful amount of harm.
p. 428 — 23. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
Cette affaire entraine necessairement, pour nos interets communs, une diminution dans le tirage de la troisieme edition.
This affair necessarily entails, for our common interests, a reduction in the print run of the third edition.
p. 428 — 23. Panckoucke to STN, Nov. 6, 1778.
L'arrangement avec les Liegeois doit nous faire changer de plan.
The arrangement with the Liegeois must lead us to change our plan.
p. 429 — 27. STN to Quandet de Laehenal, April 1, 1781.
Ledit sieur [Panckoucke] chargé de menager nos interets comme ayant part à la propriete des cuivres et de traiter en notre nom avec une pretendue societe formee pour l'entreprise dont il s'agit, se trouve aujourd'hui avoir travailler pour son profit individuel, ayant reussi, je ne sais comment, à faire evanouir cette pretendue societe, ce qui comme vous le sentez n'est pas absolument conforme aux lois.
The said gentleman [Panckoucke], entrusted with safeguarding our interests as a party holding a share in the ownership of the copper plates and with negotiating on our behalf with a so-called company formed for the enterprise in question, turns out today to have worked for his own individual profit, having succeeded, I know not how, in causing this so-called company to vanish, which, as you will appreciate, is not entirely in conformity with the law.
p. 429 — 27. STN to Quandet de Laehenal, April 1, 1781.
Tout ce tripotage a trop l'air d'une duperie pour ne pas nous donner quelques inquietudes . . . Nous connaissons d'ailleurs l'homme.
All this scheming has too much the appearance of a swindle not to give us some concern… Moreover, we know the man.
p. 430 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
Cette compagnie, la forme du traite fait avec elle, tout dans cette affaire me paraît fort obscur. Ce qui me le parait moins, c'est que le sieur Panckoucke a seul la clef de tout ce beau tripotage ... La compagnie, le traite sont, ou je serais bien trompe, de la poudre jetee aux yeux. C'est un manteau dans lequel on a voulu envelopper des
This company, the form of the agreement made with it, everything in this affair seems to me very obscure. What seems less so to me is that the said Panckoucke alone holds the key to all this fine scheming… The company, the agreement are, or I would be greatly mistaken, dust thrown in people's eyes. It is a cloak in which one sought to wrap [certain]
p. 430 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
vues peu loyales dont on s'est servi pour derober aux yeux trop clairvoyants la marche tortueuse de l'operation et pour faire retomber par la suite sur une compagnie imaginaire ou simple prete-nom l'inexecution partielle ou absolue du premier traite.
disloyal intentions, which were used to hide from too sharp-sighted eyes the tortuous course of the operation and to cast back subsequently upon an imaginary company or mere front man the partial or complete non-fulfillment of the first agreement.
p. 431 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
Ne vous a-t-il pas paru d'abord assez singulier, que M. Panckoucke, chargé de menager vos interets et les notres en traitant avec une societe etrangere, ait trouve moyen d'ecarter tous ceux qui la composent et soit devenu en se mettant à leur place notre seule partie adversaire en quelque sorte, avec qui nous sommes appelles aujourd'hui à discuter ces memes entreprises ?
Did it not seem to you rather singular at first that M. Panckoucke, entrusted with safeguarding your interests and ours in negotiating with an outside company, found a way to push aside all of its members and became, by putting himself in their place, our sole adversarial party in a sense, with whom we are called today to discuss these same enterprises?
p. 431 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
a lui et a certains quidames à nous inconnus
to him and to certain individuals unknown to us
p. 431 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
tout cela fait, le sieur Panckoucke, qui par parenthese a ete pretre et martin dans cette affaire, comme je l'expliquerai quelque jour, ayant exclus ses pretendus associes, se mit en devoir d'executer son dessin et traiter avec divers savants pour lui servir de collaborateurs.
all that done, the said Panckoucke, who by the way played both priest and martyr in this affair, as I shall explain some day, having excluded his so-called associates, set about carrying out his design and negotiating with various scholars to serve him as collaborators.
p. 432 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
c'est en tremblant que je fais de nouvelles depenses pour un objet qui n'a ete pour moi jusqu'à present qu'une source de pertes, de chagrin, et d'inquietude.
it is with trembling that I am making new expenditures on a matter which has been for me until now nothing but a source of losses, grief, and anxiety.
p. 432 — 28. Quandet de Lachenal to STN, April 9, 1781.
J'ai acquis, ainsi que je vous en ai fait part à Lyon 4/20, qui m'ont été cédés par M. Deveria à qui nous avons transmis nos droits. Un autre intéressé dans l'entreprise m'a depuis cédé deux autres vingtièmes tellement que mon intérêt dans l'Encyclopédie méthodique est actuellement de 6/20, indépendamment des 3/48 qui me restaient au même titre que vous pour la part des cuivres.
I acquired, as I informed you in Lyon, 4/20, which were ceded to me by M. Deveria to whom we had transferred our rights. Another party interested in the enterprise has since ceded me two further twentieths, so that my interest in the Encyclopédie méthodique is currently 6/20, independently of the 3/48 that remained to me on the same basis as yours for the share of the copper plates.
p. 445
explications sur les faits de la vegetation, en employant les deux façons de s'annoncer et cette discretion vient naturellement au mot etiolement.
explanations concerning the facts of vegetation, employing the two ways of presenting [the subject], and this discretion comes naturally at the word etiolation.
p. 445
Messieurs,
Je suis accable de plaintes des souscripteurs de l'Encyclopedie; les choses en sont meme aujourd'hui a un point que je ne dois plus vous cacher ce qui se passe.
La lenteur de la publication de quelques parties dont il n'a encore rien paru, le ralentissement de plusieurs autres, dont on n'a publie que
Gentlemen,
I am overwhelmed with complaints from the subscribers to the Encyclopédie; matters have even reached a point today where I must no longer hide from you what is happening.
The slowness of publication of some sections of which nothing has yet appeared, the slackening of several others, of which only [a few volumes have been published],
p. 446
quelques volumes, l'incertitude du temps ou l'ouvrage sera fini, ont rendu ma position extremement critique . . .
Le sort de l'Encyclopedie, Messieurs, depend entierement de vous.
J'ai des engagements, je desire de les remplir, j'y sacrifierai ma vie et ma fortune; mais je ne puis rien sans vous, Messieurs. Il n'est plus question de faire de vaines promesses, c'est un engagement positif et solemnel de votre part que je reclame.
a few volumes, the uncertainty as to when the work will be finished, have made my position extremely critical . . .
The fate of the Encyclopédie, Gentlemen, depends entirely on you.
I have commitments, I wish to fulfil them, I would sacrifice my life and my fortune for them; but I can do nothing without you, Gentlemen. There is no longer any question of making vain promises; it is a positive and solemn commitment on your part that I demand.
p. 446
de la maniere la plus solemnelle de mettre sous presse cette annee. Il est necessaire qu'il y ait un demi-volume cette annee; M. de Lamarck est assez avance pour cela.
in the most solemn manner to send [the work] to press this year. It is necessary that there be a half-volume this year; M. de Lamarck is sufficiently advanced for that.
p. 446
M. Fougeroux de Bondaroy etait age, etait infirme, et par caractere remettait toujours au lendemain ce qu'il avait projete de faire la veille,
M. Fougeroux de Bondaroy was elderly, was infirm, and by nature always put off until the next day what he had planned to do the day before,
p. 446
les premieres feuilles fournies par mes collaborateurs Tessier et Thouin furent pretes a etre livrees a l'impression, n'avait-il pas encore ecrit une ligne.
the first sheets supplied by my collaborators Tessier and Thouin were ready to be sent to press, he had not yet written a single line.
p. 446
malgre
despite
p. 447 — The Authors of the Methodique
cette promesse, la premiere partie de l'ouvrage de M. Fougeroux de Bondaroy ne parut pas en 1787, car son etat physique et moral s'aggravait de jour en jour. Il ne put fournir, aux pressantes sollicitations de M. Panckoucke, que deux ou trois feuilles, dont la moitie n'etait pas de lui; enfin la mort vint le frapper en 1789. Alors la Revolution eclatait; alors le commerce de la librairie s'aneantissait.
this promise, the first part of M. Fougeroux de Bondaroy's work did not appear in 1787, for his physical and moral condition was worsening day by day. He could supply, despite the pressing entreaties of M. Panckoucke, only two or three sheets, half of which were not written by him; finally death struck him down in 1789. At that point the Revolution was breaking out; at that point the book trade was being destroyed.
p. 448 — The Authors of the Methodique
Cent auteurs de la capitale en sont actuellement occupes, et la plupart sont ou de l'Academie française, ou de celle des sciences, ou des inscriptions,
One hundred authors from the capital are currently engaged in it, and most of them belong either to the Académie française, or to that of sciences, or to [that of] inscriptions,
p. 450 — The Authors of the Methodique
J'ai gentilhommise la medecine.
I have ennobled medicine.
p. 451 — The Authors of the Methodique
esprit de parti
partisan spirit
p. 451 — The Authors of the Methodique
Le libraire Panckoucke, qui est a la tete de l'entreprise, a choisi tous ceux que lui a designes M. Suard, son beau-frere; et c'est ainsi que toutes les entreprises litteraires seront conduites, quand il y aura un libraire a la tete.
The bookseller Panckoucke, who is at the head of the enterprise, has chosen all those designated to him by M. Suard, his brother-in-law; and that is how all literary enterprises will be run, when there is a bookseller at the head.
p. 451 — The Authors of the Methodique
des parties tres importantes sont confiees a des hommes tres mediocres,
very important sections are entrusted to very mediocre men,
p. 451 — The Authors of the Methodique
la sante et les diverses occupations de M. d'Alembert ne lui permettent pas de partager notre travail; mais du moins il a promis de nous remettre differentes additions qu'il a faites, il y a longtemps, a plusieurs de ses articles de mathematiques et qu'il avait destinees aux futures editions de l'Encyclopedie; par ce moyen, il aura part encore a l'edition du dictionnaire que nous annonçons.
the health and various occupations of M. d'Alembert do not permit him to share in our work; but at least he has promised to furnish us with various additions that he made, some time ago, to several of his articles on mathematics and which he had intended for future editions of the Encyclopédie; by this means, he will still have a share in the edition of the dictionary that we are announcing.
p. 453 — The Authors of the Methodique
un intermediaire et un ambassadeur entre le gouvernement et la litterature.
an intermediary and an ambassador between the government and the world of letters.
p. 454 — Two Generations of Encyclopedists
dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers.
systematic dictionary of the sciences, arts, and crafts.
p. 455 — Two Generations of Encyclopedists
auteurs de l'Encyclopedie actuelle
authors of the current Encyclopédie
p. 455 — Two Generations of Encyclopedists
articles considerables
substantial articles
p. 456 — Two Generations of Encyclopedists
Apres les avoir rassemblees, ce qui a exige un grand travail de ma part, j'ai vu que ce recueil ne serait d'aucune utilite.
After having gathered them together, which required a great deal of work on my part, I saw that this collection would be of no use whatsoever.
p. 456 — Two Generations of Encyclopedists
Ceux qui compareront
Those who will compare
The Ultimate Encyclopedie
p. 413 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
petit apartement
small apartment
p. 413 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
bureau de travail
study [literally: work office]
p. 413 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
commis intelligent
capable clerk
p. 413 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Pendant plus de 18 mois, je n'ai ete occupe et n'ai pu m'occuper que du projet de cette redaction, [dont] l'execution n'a ete suspendu qu'apres bien des lenteurs et des incertitudes.
For more than 18 months, I was occupied and could only occupy myself with the plan for this editorial work, [whose] execution was not suspended until after many delays and uncertainties.
p. 413 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Je me suis occupe plus d'un an a comparer l'Encyclopedie originale avec le Supplement, avec celle d'Yverdon, et avec d'autres dictionnaires; j'ai fait faire des tables de plusieurs ouvrages; j'ai recueilli un grand nombre de notes, qui devraient servir a corriger ou augmenter differents articles de la nouvelle Encyclopedie a mesure que la redaction se faisait etc. J'ai plusieurs cartons remplis de mon travail; mais ce travail ne pouvant avoir par lui-meme aucun ensemble, ne peut etre presente sous une forme reguliere.
I spent more than a year comparing the original Encyclopédie with the Supplement, with that of Yverdon, and with other dictionaries; I had indexes made of several works; I collected a great number of notes, which were to serve to correct or augment various articles of the new Encyclopédie as the editing proceeded, etc. I have several boxes filled with my work; but this work, being unable by itself to have any coherent structure, cannot be presented in a regular form.
p. 414 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
par ordre des matieres.
by order of subject matter.
p. 414 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
ne peut plaire qu'au demi-savant ou l'ignorant.
can only please the half-learned or the ignorant.
p. 414 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Sans cet ordre precieux, qui peut seul interesser le genie philosophique, ce recueil, morcele dans un dictionnaire, n'est pas plus une encyclopedie qu'un amas de pierres taillees et numerotees n'est un palais: c'est l'arrangement seul des differentes parties d'un batiment qu'on reconnait le genie de l'architecte, comme on reconnait au Discours preliminaire, non a la disposition alphabetique de l'Encyclopedie, le grand homme qui embrasse toutes les connaissances, qui en voit l'ordre, les rapports, les liaisons.
Without this precious order, which alone can engage the philosophical mind, this collection, fragmented in a dictionary, is no more an encyclopedia than a pile of cut and numbered stones is a palace: it is only in the arrangement of the different parts of a building that one recognizes the genius of the architect, just as one recognizes in the Preliminary Discourse, not in the alphabetical arrangement of the Encyclopédie, the great man who embraces all knowledge, who sees its order, its relations, its connections.
p. 414 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Quant a l'ordre des matieres, les libraires ne s'attribuent point la gloire de cette idee; ils la doivent a Bacon, a la voix publique, et au jugement de plusieurs savants qui ont bien voulu les eclairer.
As for the order of subject matter, the booksellers do not claim credit for this idea; they owe it to Bacon, to public opinion, and to the judgment of several scholars who were good enough to enlighten them.
p. 415 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
vice abecedaire
alphabetical vice
p. 416 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
escroc litteraire
literary swindler
p. 416 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
On ne peut voir sans pitie ce ton de charlatanerie qui regne dans le prospectus,
One cannot observe without pity this tone of charlatanism that pervades the prospectus,
p. 416 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Permis neanmoins aux libraires de Geneve, Neuchatel, et autres villes ou cet ouvrage a ete imprime par ordre alphabetique, de decrier ou faire decrier cette edition: le public en jugera.
Permission is nonetheless granted to the booksellers of Geneva, Neuchâtel, and other towns where this work has been printed in alphabetical order, to disparage or have disparaged this edition: the public will be the judge.
p. 418 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Cette entreprise ne nuira jamais a celle de Lyon . . . Voila ce que j'ai bien considere en traitant.
This enterprise will never harm that of Lyon ... That is what I carefully considered in negotiating.
p. 418 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
la grande affaire
the great business
p. 418 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Nous sommes fort aises d'apprendre que les projets des Liegeois soient abandonnes. Ce sera toujours un obstacle de moins a surmonter. Quant a ce qui concerne notre refonte, nous pensons en general comme vous, Monsieur, et notre idee n'a jamais ete de publier actuellement le prospectus de la grande affaire, puisque ce serait de vouloir renoncer de gaiete de coeur et a pure perte au benefice de la troisieme souscription de l'in-quarto, que nous venons de proposer au public benevole. Mais nous estimons, comme nous le disions dans notre derniere, qu'il serait necessaire de prendre des a present et entre nous nos mesures et tenir tout pret pour que des l'expiration de l'annee courante nous soyons en etat d'annoncer notre refonte.
We are very pleased to learn that the plans of the Liegeois have been abandoned. It will always be one less obstacle to overcome. As for what concerns our revised edition, we think in general as you do, Monsieur, and our idea has never been to publish now the prospectus for the great enterprise, since that would mean wanting to renounce cheerfully and at a total loss the benefit of the third subscription for the quarto, which we have just proposed to the benevolent public. But we think, as we said in our last letter, that it would be necessary to take our measures now and among ourselves and keep everything ready so that by the expiration of the current year we are in a position to announce our revised edition.
p. 418 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Nous voyons avec peine que sur un plan aussi difficile et dont le succes vous parait incertain, nous ayons renonce a notre idee de refonte, qui nous a toujours paru une tres bonne chose, meme apres l'edition de Lyon. N'y aurait-il pas eu moyen de vendre comme Duplain la participation au privilege pour un certain nombre d'annees?
We see with regret that on a plan as difficult and whose success seems uncertain to you, we have given up our idea of a revised edition, which has always seemed to us a very good thing, even after the Lyon edition. Would there not have been a way to sell, as Duplain did, a share in the privilege for a certain number of years?
p. 419 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
J'ai fait avec les Liegeois tout ce que les circonstances ont exige. Si j'eusse differe plus longtemps, Paris et les provinces allaient etre inondes de leurs nouveaux prospectus. Leur edition etant une edition refondue et par traite methodique, nous ne pouvions plus penser meme dans l'avenir a une refonte de notre part.
I have done with the Liegeois everything that circumstances required. Had I delayed any longer, Paris and the provinces were going to be flooded with their new prospectuses. Their edition being a revised edition and organized methodically, we could no longer think even in the future of a revised edition on our part.
p. 419 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
douteuse
doubtful
p. 419 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
L'affaire de Lyon couvre tous nos frais, avec un benefice immense; c'est elle seule que nous devons avoir en vue.
The Lyon enterprise covers all our expenses, with an immense profit; it is the only one we should have in view.
p. 419 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
Sans doute qu'en traitant avec les Liegeois nous perdons le droit de nous arranger avec tout autre, si tant est que leur edition reussisse et qu'ils nous fassent le payement des deux premiers milles. Mais de bonne foi, apres cette edition refondue et nos huit mille de Lyon, qui pourra jamais penser a aucune Encyclopedie?
Of course, in negotiating with the Liegeois we lose the right to make arrangements with anyone else, assuming that their edition succeeds and that they make the payment for the first two thousand. But honestly, after this revised edition and our eight thousand copies from Lyon, who will ever be able to think of any Encyclopédie?
p. 419 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
S'il se presente quelque bonne speculation, je m'adresserai volontiers a vous. Nous sommes lies pour la vie, ce a quoi j'espere, et vous me trouverez dispose a vous obliger dans tous les temps.
If some good speculation presents itself, I will gladly turn to you. We are bound for life, which I hope, and you will find me disposed to oblige you at all times.
p. 419 — The Origins of the Encyclopedie methodique
concernant la queue de notre Encyclopedie lyonnaise
concerning the tail end of our Lyon Encyclopédie
p. 420 — The Climactic Moment in Enlightenment Publishing
M. Du Peyrou doit avoir les manuscripts, ou au moins une partie, de J. Jacques Rousseau. Il faudrait que vous en traitassiez avec la veuve; et de tout ce qu'elle a, j'entrerai pour moitie. Mais je ne veux pas paraitre. L'un de vous pourrait faire un voyage ici au sujet. Vous pourrez donner jusqu'a trente mille livres, le tiers comptant, les deux autres tiers par acte remboursable en deux payements. Je vous en ferai faire une grande affaire et vous viendrez au secours de cette malheureuse. Il faut surtout avoir ces memoires. Occupez-vous de cela. Parlez-en avec M. Du Peyrou et ne perdez pas de temps.
Monsieur Du Peyrou must have the manuscripts, or at least a part of them, of J. Jacques Rousseau. You should negotiate with the widow; and of everything she has, I will take half. But I do not want to appear [involved]. One of you could make a trip here on the subject. You may offer up to thirty thousand livres, one third in cash, the other two thirds by a redeemable instrument in two payments. I will make a great business of it for you and you will come to the aid of this unfortunate woman. Above all, one must have these memoirs. Attend to this. Speak of it with Monsieur Du Peyrou and do not waste time.
p. 420 — The Climactic Moment in Enlightenment Publishing
renoncer a toute idee Encyclopedique,
renounce all Encyclopedic ideas,
conclusions. 80
p. 457
notre travail . . . avec celui de nos predecesseurs verront que ce dernier nous a tres-peu servi et que cet ouvrage peut etre regarde comme nouveau. La nosologie, l'hygiene, la medecine veterinaire, la medecine legale, la jurisprudence de la medecine, et la biographie medicale OU n 'existent point OU sont absolument tronquees dans l 'ancienne Encyclopedie.
our work . . . with that of our predecessors will see that the latter served us very little and that this work can be regarded as new. Nosology, hygiene, veterinary medicine, forensic medicine, the jurisprudence of medicine, and medical biography either do not exist at all or are absolutely truncated in the old Encyclopédie.
p. 457
La geographie de l 'Encyclopedie in folio est defectueuse a tous egards: c'est un tissu d'erreurs, de meprises, et d 'inexactitudes de toute espece.
The geography of the folio Encyclopédie is defective in every respect: it is a tissue of errors, mistakes, and inaccuracies of every kind.
p. 458
C 'est un monument national, qui sert de modele aux etrangers.
It is a national monument, which serves as a model for foreigners.
conclusion from such small numbers, but neither book made
p. 461
Vous savez combien toutes les parties que j 'ai traitees, et que j 'ai encore a traiter, l'ont ete mal dans la premiere Encyclopedie,
You know how poorly all the sections that I have treated, and that I still have to treat, were handled in the first Encyclopédie,
p. 461
Les savants negligeaient les arts, les artistes negligeaient les lettres; ceux-ci ne pouvaient rendre ce qu 'ils savaient, ceux-la ne savaient rendre ce qu 'ils ignoraient; il en est resulte, dans les principes et dans les faits, un galimatias inintelligible a tout le monde.
The scholars neglected the arts, the craftsmen neglected letters; the former could not convey what they knew, the latter did not know how to convey what they were ignorant of; the result, in principles and in facts, was an unintelligible muddle to everyone.
p. 462
J e me suis rendu habitant des ateliers; je me suis fait ouvrier.
I made myself a resident of the workshops; I made myself a workman.
p. 463
MM. Fossier et Deseve, dessinateurs tres ha biles
Messrs. Fossier and Desève, very skilled draughtsmen
p. 463
M. Benard, chef graveur, a qui l 'Encyclopedie doit les plus grandes obligations, qui en a suivi Jes travaux avec un zele eclaire et une constance infatigable, a seul dirige toute la gravure, ayant sous lui soixante graveurs, qui l'ont seconde dans ce travail tres long, tres difficile par l 'immensite des details qu 'il embrasse.
M. Bénard, head engraver, to whom the Encyclopédie owes the greatest obligations, who followed its work with an enlightened zeal and an indefatigable constancy, alone directed all the engraving, having under him sixty engravers who assisted him in this very long work, very difficult because of the immensity of the details it encompasses.
p. 464 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
Connaissance qu 'on a de quelque chose. 'Je sais cela de science certaine. Cela passe ma science. ' '
Knowledge that one has of something. 'I know that with certain knowledge. That surpasses my knowledge.'
p. 465 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
Toute la nature atteste un Dieu
All of nature attests to a God
p. 465 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
Devant le vrai chretien, toutes les conceptions humaines ne sont que faiblesse et misere pour celui dont l 'esprit n 'a pour but que le trone de l 'eternel: c'est de la vertu l'effort le plus sublime que cette renonciation au monde, cet abandon de soi-meme, surtout dans les personnes d 'un haut rang.
Before the true Christian, all human conceptions are but weakness and misery for one whose spirit has no aim but the throne of the Eternal: it is virtue's most sublime effort, this renunciation of the world, this abandonment of oneself, above all in persons of high rank.
p. 465 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
Ces pensees sur le beau etant vraies, Les disputes eternelles sur ce mot sont terminees, et toutes les questions meme qui tourmentent depuis tant de siecles les philosophes sur le juste, l 'injuste, la vertu, l 'honnete, l 'utile, le decent me paraissent resolues, en admettant les memes principes.
These thoughts on the beautiful being true, the eternal disputes over this word are ended, and all the questions that have tormented philosophers for so many centuries about the just, the unjust, virtue, the honorable, the useful, the decent seem to me resolved, by admitting the same principles.
p. 466 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
L'homme devient d 'autant plus libre qu 'il a l 'esprit plus cultive ... qu 'il fait un grand usage de sa raison et de ses lumieres : de sorte que l 'on peut dire qu 'il y a d 'autant plus de cette liberte dont nous parlons, que la societe ou l'on vit est plus perfectionnee et que les arts et les sciences y sont plus florissants.
Man becomes all the more free as his mind is more cultivated ... as he makes great use of his reason and his enlightenment: so that one can say that there is all the more of this liberty of which we speak, as the society in which one lives is more perfected and the arts and sciences more flourishing there.
p. 466 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
la naissance, le rang, la fortune, le talent, l 'esprit, le genie, la vertu sont done les grandes sources du bonheur.
birth, rank, fortune, talent, wit, genius, virtue are therefore the great sources of happiness.
p. 466 — From Voltairianism to Professionalism
nos forts de la douane, nos portefaix
our customs porters, our common laborers
The Ultimate Encyclopédie
p. 469
Dans plusieurs autres [articles] on etale les objections des heretiques, et l 'on supprime les reponses des theologiens catholiques . . . De ces divers defauts il en resulte un plus grand, c 'est que la doctrine de l 'Encyclopedie
In several other [articles] the objections of heretics are displayed, and the responses of Catholic theologians are suppressed . . . From these various defects there results a greater one, which is that the doctrine of the Encyclopédie
p. 470
est un tissu de contradictions.
is a tissue of contradictions.
p. 470
Les articles faits par des theologiens, surtout par M. Mallet, sont en general assez bien; les autres, composes par des litterateurs mal instruits ou infideles, ont ete servilement copies d 'ap res les controversistes Protestants ou Sociniens.
The articles written by theologians, especially by M. Mallet, are in general quite good; the others, composed by poorly informed or unreliable men of letters, were servilely copied from Protestant or Socinian controversialists.
p. 470
ANTHROPOPHAGES . . . voyez EUCHARISTIE, COMMUNION, AUTEL, etc.
CANNIBALS . . . see EUCHARIST, COMMUNION, ALTAR, etc.
p. 470
l'infame
the infamous [thing]
p. 470
avec approbation et privilege du roi
with the approval and privilege of the king
p. 470
si I 'administration n 'avait pas eu la bonte de nous seconder dans les dif f erentes demandes que nous lui avons faites.
if the administration had not had the kindness to support us in the various requests we made of it.
p. 471 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
Cette entreprise est herissee de toutes sortes de difficultes. Je compte cependant en publ ier le prospectus en 1781, mais il ne paraitra rien avant deux ans. Je ne veux pas jouer ma fortune au hasard. Les Rouscriptions me decide-
This enterprise is bristling with all sorts of difficulties. I expect nonetheless to publish the prospectus in 1781, but nothing will appear for two years. I do not want to gamble my fortune on chance. The subscriptions will decide [the matter for] me—
p. 472 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
belle entreprise
fine enterprise
p. 472 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
J 'ai deja passe vingt actes. C 'est un enorme projet, qui, a quelques fois, m'eleve l'ame et dans d 'autres moments l'effraie.
I have already signed twenty contracts. It is an enormous project which sometimes lifts my spirits and at other moments frightens me.
p. 472 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
C 'est un pro jet de dure conception et execution. Les deux volumes de physique que j 'ai publies ne reussissent pas trop et ne peuvent convenir a ce plan. L'auteur (c'est M. Brisson) n'a pas bien saisi ce qu'il fallait faire.
It is a project of difficult conception and execution. The two volumes of physics that I have published are not succeeding very well and cannot suit this plan. The author (that is M. Brisson) did not properly grasp what needed to be done.
p. 472 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
Vingt auteurs differents presque jamais d'accord sur leurs operations, trouvent chaque jour quelques changements a faire. J 'ai du convenir avec M. Panckoucke, et vous conviendrez vous-meme, que la chose du monde la plus difficile est de concilier vingt gens de lettres tenant tous tres fortement a leur opinion et tres peu disposes a la sacrifier aux interets du libraire. Ce n 'est plus M. Brisson qui est charge
Twenty different authors almost never in agreement about their work find something to change every day. I had to acknowledge to M. Panckoucke, and you will acknowledge yourself, that the most difficult thing in the world is to reconcile twenty men of letters, all of whom hold very firmly to their opinions and are very little disposed to sacrifice them to the interests of the publisher. It is no longer M. Brisson who is in charge
p. 473 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
de la physique. Il a fallu employer un autre auteur cette partie essentielle. Vous sentez que ces changements doivent en apporter dans le plan et que ce serait une chose interminable pour tout autre que M. Panckoucke, qui il ne faut en verite pas en vouloir. Son courage a besoin d'etre soutenu, et c 'est ce que je chercherai faire pour nos interets communs.
of physics. Another author had to be employed for this essential part. You understand that these changes must bring others in the plan and that it would be an endless affair for anyone other than M. Panckoucke, who in truth should not be blamed for it. His courage needs to be sustained, and that is what I will seek to do for our common interests.
p. 473 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
Les encyclopedies ont empoisonne ma vie et me conduiront au tomb eau. J 'y ai sans doute gagne, mais les soins, les soucis, les inquietudes, les travaux ont ete enormes.
The encyclopedias have poisoned my life and will lead me to my grave. I have no doubt made money from them, but the cares, the worries, the anxieties, the labors have been enormous.
p. 473 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
M. Panckoucke s 'est reserve la gestion de toute l 'affaire, a contracte ici avec les imprimeurs et les papetiers et fournira chaque annee un compte de toute l 'entreprise. Ma mise sera de 5,000 livres par mois, a commencer en octobre ou novembre prochain, et continuera sur le meme pied jusqu 'a ce que les souscriptions puissent fournir a la depense. C 'est done du succes de l 'entreprise que depend le plus ou moins de fonds qu 'il faudra avancer et qui ne peut etre actuellement fixe. On n 'est plus certain du nombre du tirage, ni du format. Le gout du public qu 'on pressentira par le prospectus determinera l'un et l 'autre. Vous sentez, Messieurs, et vous etes convenus vous-memes a Lyon, qu 'il n 'etait pas possible d 'entreprendre une affaire de cette importance sans faire quelques tentatives pour reconnaitre les moyens de la faire reussir. C 'est ce qu' avait [fait] le projet du Dictionnaire de physique qu 'il a fallu sacrifier. Voila tout ce que je sais.
M. Panckoucke has reserved for himself the management of the entire affair, has contracted here with the printers and paper suppliers, and will furnish each year an account of the entire enterprise. My share will be 5,000 livres per month, beginning next October or November, and will continue on the same footing until the subscriptions can cover the expense. It is therefore on the success of the enterprise that the amount of funds that will need to be advanced depends, and which cannot currently be fixed. One is no longer certain of the print run, nor of the format. The taste of the public, which will be gauged from the prospectus, will determine one and the other. You understand, Gentlemen, and you agreed yourselves in Lyon, that it was not possible to undertake an affair of this importance without making some attempts to ascertain the means of making it succeed. That is what the plan of the Dictionary of physics, which had to be sacrificed, had [done]. That is all I know.
p. 474 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
C 'est un obj et de depense de pres de deux millions,
It is a matter of expenditure of nearly two million [livres],
p. 474 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
La seule copie de cet ouvrage nous revient plus de six cent mille livres, quoique, dans nos premiers calculs, nous n 'eussions pas cru qu 'elle dut nous en couter meme deux cent.
The copy alone for this work comes to more than six hundred thousand livres for us, although in our initial calculations we had not thought it would cost us even two hundred [thousand].
p. 475 — Launching the Biggest Book of the Century
Une edition complete de l'Encyclopedie, par ordre de matieres, nous a paru si effrayante au premier coup-d'oeil, que, quelque habitude que nous ayons des grandes entreprises en librairie, ce n'est qu'apres y avoir tres murement pense et avoir considere la possibilite de son execution sous toutes les faces, que nous nous y sommes engages et que nous avons resolu de l 'entreprendre.
A complete edition of the Encyclopédie, arranged by subject matter, appeared so frightening to us at first glance that, whatever experience we have of large publishing enterprises, it is only after having thought very maturely about it and having considered the possibility of its execution from every angle, that we committed ourselves to it and resolved to undertake it.
Encyclopedism, Capitalism, and Revolution
p. 478 — Panckoucke's Folly
Quoique nous ayons toujours rempli avec la plus scrupuleuse exactitude les engagements que nous avons pris avec le public, cependant, comme il est aujourd 'hui plus en garde que jamais contre toute espece de souscription, nous nous croyons obliges, dans une entreprise de cette importance, de lui donner toutes les assurances qui peuvent etablir une confiance reciproque, soit pour I 'execution de l 'ouvrage conformement au Prospectus, soit pour le temps de la livraison des volumes, soit pour leur nombre, soit enfin pour fixer irrevocablement le prix.
Although we have always fulfilled with the most scrupulous exactness the commitments we have made to the public, nevertheless, as it is today more on guard than ever against every kind of subscription, we feel obliged, in an enterprise of this importance, to give it all the assurances that can establish mutual confidence, whether as to the execution of the work in conformity with the Prospectus, or as to the time of delivery of the volumes, or as to their number, or finally to fix the price irrevocably.
p. 479 — Panckoucke's Folly
Nous etions a cette epoque au desespoir de nous y etre engages.
We were at that time in despair at having committed ourselves to it.
p. 479 — Panckoucke's Folly
Nous la [the Encyclopedie methodique] regardions comme absolument desesperee. Cependant nous avions fait des achats de papier considerables, presque tous les actes etaient passes avec les auteurs, et toute notre fortune compromise.
We regarded it [the Encyclopédie méthodique] as absolutely hopeless. Nevertheless we had made considerable purchases of paper, almost all the contracts had been signed with the authors, and our entire fortune was at risk.
p. 479 — Panckoucke's Folly
un petit nombre de souscripteurs de ces deux formats
a small number of subscribers for these two formats
p. 479 — Panckoucke's Folly
Nous observerons que le public n 'a voulu d 'aucun de ees formats . . . et qu 'au mois de mars 1782 nous etions au desespoir de nous etre engages dans cette grande entreprise et que nous la regardions comme absolument impossible.
We will note that the public wanted neither of these formats . . . and that in the month of March 1782 we were in despair at having committed ourselves to this great enterprise and that we regarded it as absolutely impossible.
p. 480 — Panckoucke's Folly
dernier effort pour ramener le public,
last effort to win back the public,
p. 480 — Panckoucke's Folly
Lettre de M. Panckoucke, en date de novembre 1788, ecrite aux auteurs de l 'Encyclopedie,
Letter from M. Panckoucke, dated November 1788, written to the authors of the Encyclopédie,
p. 480 — Panckoucke's Folly
Eclaircissements relatifs un premier titre d 'une souscription a 672 [livres],
Clarifications relating to a first title of a subscription at 672 [livres],
p. 493
des mois pour l 'amener au point que je desire.
months to bring it to the point that I desire.
p. 493
fiuides elastiques
elastic fluids
p. 493
Si nous executons exactement notre plan, on doit y trouver tout ce que les hommes ont conc;u, imagine, cree depuis que l 'art d 'ecrire est invente. 11 ne doit point y avoir un seul mot, un seul objet des connaissances humaines sur lesquels on ne doive trouver des details satisfaisantes.
If we carry out our plan exactly, one should find there everything that men have conceived, imagined, [and] created since the art of writing was invented. There should not be a single word, a single object of human knowledge about which one should not find satisfying details.
p. 493
672 livres prix d 'un exemplaire complet.
672 livres [the] price of a complete copy.
p. 493
afin que les souscripteurs soient bien assures qu'on ne veut profiter, en aucune maniere, de cette indetermination pour augmenter a volonte, comme cela est quelquefois arrive, le nombre des volumes.
so that the subscribers may be well assured that one does not wish to take advantage, in any way, of this indetermination in order to increase at will, as has sometimes happened, the number of volumes.
p. 493
La chimie ayant eutierement change depuis quelques annees, il n 'etait pas possible d 'offrir au public une simple refonte d 'un ouvrage imprime ii y a plus de vingt ans.
Chemistry having entirely changed in recent years, it was not possible to offer the public a simple recast of a work printed more than twenty years ago.
p. 494
si, contre toute attente et pour la perfection de l'ouvrage, nous etions a necessites un plus grand nombre de volumes de discours, les souscripteurs ne payeront ces derniers volumes que 6 livres, au lieu de 11 livres.
if, contrary to all expectation and for the perfection of the work, we were compelled [to produce] a greater number of text volumes, the subscribers will pay for these last volumes only 6 livres, instead of 11 livres.
p. 494
prix d 'un exemplaire complet
price of a complete copy
p. 494
cent lettres de plaintes
a hundred letters of complaint
p. 495
environ cent feuilles
approximately one hundred sheets
p. 495
Cet ouvrage a beaucoup d 'ennemis, nous ne l 'ignorons pas,
This work has many enemies, we are not unaware of it,
p. 495
libelles
libels
p. 495
Un proces, dans notre position, nous paraitrait une si supreme injustice, et le sort de deux de nos confreres, qui sont morts de chagrin et de desespoir des difficult.es qu 'ils ont eprouvees, a tellement frappe notre esprit que, si l 'on pretend les renou-
A lawsuit, in our position, would seem to us such a supreme injustice, and the fate of two of our colleagues, who died of grief and despair from the difficulties they experienced, has struck our minds so forcefully that, if one intends to renew them
p. 496
veler notre egard, nous regardons l 'Encyclopedie comme detrui te et aneant ie.
[with regard to] us, we regard the Encyclopédie as destroyed and annihilated.
p. 496
Il faut qu 'on nous laisse toute notre liberte, si l 'on veut que l 'ouvrage a s 'acheve promptement. Nous avons peine assez de toutes nos forces pour suivre tons les mouvements, tous les rapports de cette grande machine; pour vaincre les obstacles; pour soliciter, presser les gens de lettres, les imprimeurs, les graveurs; pour repondre enfin aux souscripteurs.
We must be left with complete freedom, if one wishes the work to be completed promptly. We [already] struggle with all our strength to follow all the movements, all the workings of this great machine; to overcome the obstacles; to solicit [and] press the men of letters, the printers, the engravers; to respond finally to the subscribers.
p. 496
Nous ne pour rions meme suppol'tel' I 'idec d 'un prod~s dans I 'avenir. II est necessaire que nous ne vivious pas dans la crainte de voir un jour renouveler Jes attaques que le defaut de prevoyance a suscitees aux premiers entrepreneurs et qui ont fait mourir de chagrin et de douleur Jes sieurs Briasson pere et fils et abrege !es jours du sicur Lebreton.
We could not even bear the idea of a lawsuit in the future. It is necessary that we do not live in fear of one day seeing renewed the attacks that the lack of foresight brought upon the first entrepreneurs and which caused Messrs. Briasson father and son to die of grief and sorrow and shortened the days of Mr. Lebreton.
p. 496
qui a la sanction de Sa Majeste'
which has the sanction of His Majesty
p. 497
de toutes les entreprises, la plus grande qu 'on ait jamais executee dans la librairie.
of all enterprises, the greatest that has ever been carried out in the book trade.
p. 497
edifice . . . ne ressemble pas plus l 'an a cienne (Encyclopedie) que le palais du Louvre une chau-
edifice . . . no more resembles the old [Encyclopédie] than the palace of the Louvre [resembles] a
p. 498 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
miere ou Saint-Pierre de Rome une chapelle.
hovel, or Saint Peter's in Rome [resembles] a chapel.
p. 498 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Nous touchions alors un evenement a a jamais memorable ... La Revolution, qui n'a point tarde a eclater, qui a renverse tant d'etats, de fortunes, detruit les plus brillantes esperances, m 'a attaque dans tous les sens.
We were then on the eve of an event forever memorable … The Revolution, which did not delay in breaking out, which overturned so many states [and] fortunes, [and] destroyed the most brilliant hopes, attacked me from every direction.
p. 499 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
,J e suis peut-etre, et je dois le dire aujourd 'hui, le citoyen sur qui pese le plus violemment la revolution; car il n 'y a pas de mois ou mes depenses n 'excedent mes recettes de plus de 25,000 livres; mais j 'ai cru devoir redoubler d 'efforts, de vues, de moyens de credit, de combi a naisons, pour soutenir une machine enorme, laquelle le sort de plus de six cent personnes est lie, persuade qu 'il etait impossible, vu les
I am perhaps, and I must say it today, the citizen upon whom the revolution weighs most violently; for there is not a month in which my expenditures do not exceed my receipts by more than 25,000 livres; but I believed I should redouble my efforts, views, means of credit, [and] combinations, to sustain an enormous machine to which the fate of more than six hundred persons is bound, persuaded that it was impossible, given the
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
ressources immenses de ce grand empire, que les choses ne reprissent pas leur cours ordinaire.
immense resources of this great empire, that things would not resume their ordinary course.
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
desertion des ouvriers,
desertion of the workers,
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Personne ne sou:ffre plus que nous de la revolution; mais il faut savoir sou:ffrir pour la patrie.
No one suffers more than we do from the revolution; but one must know how to suffer for the fatherland.
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
absents du royaume
absent from the kingdom
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Le commerce de librairie a, pour ainsi dire, ete aneanti, les principales maisons de la ca pit ale obligees de suspendr'e leurs paiements,
The book trade has, so to speak, been annihilated, the principal houses of the capital obliged to suspend their payments,
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Nombre d'auteurs ont ete detournes de leurs travaux par des f onctions publiques; toutes les imprimeries ne furent bientot plus occupees que de brochures, pamphlets et surtout
Many authors have been diverted from their work by public functions; all the printing shops were soon occupied with nothing but pamphlets, broadsides, and above all
p. 500 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Nous sommes ici dans les alarmes continuelles. Le bien est encore incertain et le mal est affreux. Paye qui veut. Les tribunaux sont sans action. II m 'en coute cent mille ecus de ma fortune depuis dix mois pour soutenir l 'Encylopedie. Si j 'avais le malheur de suspendre, l 'ouvrage serait detruit et je perdrais l 'esperance de recouvrer mes depenses.
We are here in continual alarm. The good is still uncertain and the evil is dreadful. Pay whoever wishes [to]. The courts are without power. It has cost me a hundred thousand écus from my fortune over the past ten months to sustain the Encyclopédie. If I had the misfortune to suspend [operations], the work would be destroyed and I would lose the hope of recovering my expenses.
p. 501 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
de journaux de .toute espece, dont le nombre, dans la seule a capitale, se monte plus de cent. J'ai vu le moment ou l'Ency clopedie allait etre abandonnee.
of newspapers of every kind, the number of which, in the capital alone, amounts to more than a hundred. I saw the moment when the Encyclopédie was about to be abandoned.
p. 501 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
grande entreprise ou j 'ai mis toute ma fortune,
great enterprise into which I have put all my fortune,
p. 501 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
feuille d'impression
printed sheet
p. 503 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Au milieu des imprimeries a que s'elevent de toutes parts, il n'en est point, la honte du a gout, qu 'un bon ouvrage puisse trouver libre, au moins un prix raisonnable ou ordinaire; il n 'en est point qui n 'ait abandonne, eloigne, et qui ne refuse encore tout ouvrage de longue haleine, OU qui ne tient pas a Un parti et a une circon stance du moment.
Among the printing shops that are springing up on all sides, there is not one, to the shame of [good] taste, where a good work can find [a press] free, at least at a reasonable or ordinary price; there is not one that has not abandoned, pushed away, and that does not still refuse every work of lengthy undertaking, or one that is not tied to a faction and to a circumstance of the moment.
p. 503 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
feuille d'impression
printed sheet
p. 503 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
cabale
cabal
p. 503 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
etoffes
overhead charges [literally: materials/fabric]
p. 503 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
L 'imprimerie de Panckoucke en I 'an II
Panckoucke's printing house in Year II [of the Republic]
p. 504 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Les ouvriers, il faut en convenir, etaient fort mal payes avant la Revolution: ils ont, avec raison, profite des circonstances pour ameliorer leur sort.
The workers, it must be admitted, were very badly paid before the Revolution: they have, with good reason, taken advantage of circumstances to improve their lot.
p. 504 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Le public d'aujourd'hui n'est point le public de l'Ancien Regime,
The public of today is not the public of the Old Regime,
p. 504 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Lettre de M. Panckoucke, en date de novembre 1788, ecrite aux auteurs de l'Encyclopedie
Letter from Mr. Panckoucke, dated November 1788, written to the authors of the Encyclopédie
p. 504 — From Encyclopedism to Jacobinism
Sur le retard que l 'Encyclopedie a eprouve de la part de plusieurs auteurs
On the delay that the Encyclopédie has experienced on the part of several authors
p. 505
La Revolution, comme nous l 'avons deja <lit, a change toutes les dispositions, tous les actes et traites d 'une certaine nature, et ils sont dans le cas d'etre modifies,
The Revolution, as we have already said, has changed all the arrangements, all the acts and treaties of a certain nature, and they are in a position to be modified,
p. 505
c 'est un evenement si imprevu que tout homme qui a traite de bonne foi avant cette epoque ne peut etre tenu a des engagements dont le salut public l 'a detourne. Nous devons done regarder les 22 mois d 'evenements extraordinaires qui sont arrives comme nuls, ou a-pen-pres nuls, relativement aux travaux litteraires.
it is so unforeseen an event that any man who dealt in good faith before this period cannot be held to commitments from which the public welfare has diverted him. We must therefore regard the 22 months of extraordinary events that have occurred as null, or nearly null, with respect to literary work.
p. 505
Tous les actes, tous les contrats, toutes les entreprises que cette Revolution a atteints, ne sont-ils pas dans le cas d'etre annules, ou du moins modifies
All the acts, all the contracts, all the enterprises that this Revolution has affected — are they not in a position to be annulled, or at least modified?
p. 506
des pertes, des sacrifices, des malheurs,
losses, sacrifices, misfortunes,
p. 506
Cette Encyclopedie traversee des les premiers volumes, plusieurs fois suspendue, ou les libraires ont eu, pendant dix ans, leur fortune exposee, et dont deux sont morts de chagrin du proces qu 'elle leur a occasionne; cette Encyclopedie, dis-je, etait pour les editeurs et les entrepreneurs d 'une difficulte infiniment moindre que la nouvelle.
This Encyclopédie, impeded from its very first volumes, suspended several times, in which the booksellers had, for ten years, their fortunes at risk, and two of whom died of grief from the lawsuit it occasioned them — this Encyclopédie, I say, was for its editors and entrepreneurs infinitely less difficult than the new one.
p. 506
terminer ce grand monument qui depuis quelques annees fait le tourment de ma vie et que je suis tons les jours au desespoir d 'avoir entrepris.
to finish this great monument which for some years has been the torment of my life and which I am every day in despair at having undertaken.
p. 506
La Revolution a malheureusement atteint l 'Encyclopedie, elle m 'enleve pres de mille souscripteurs, qui par la perte de leur etat OU de leur fortune, OU etant absents du royaume, sont dans l 'impossibilite de retirer leurs livraisons.
The Revolution has unfortunately affected the Encyclopédie; it takes from me nearly a thousand subscribers who, through the loss of their position or their fortune, or being absent from the kingdom, are unable to collect their installments.
p. 506
distingucs ... qui occupent des places importantes.
distinguished ... who occupy important positions.
p. 507
Si la Revolution a change la face de toutes les choses, augmente d 'un tiers le prix de toutes les denrees, fait perdre 50 pour cent aux assignats, etabli dans les changes une difference de 25 a 50 pour cent, je ne dois pas, sans doute, etre seul victime de tant de changements,
If the Revolution has changed the face of all things, increased the price of all goods by a third, caused the assignats to lose 50 percent [of their value], established in the exchange rates a difference of 25 to 50 percent, I ought not, no doubt, to be the sole victim of so many changes,
p. 508
toutes les peines de droit et d 'indemnite, sans qu'ils puissent pretexter le cas de maladies, d'absences, d'affaires, soit publiques, soit particulieres, de place dans la nouvelle administration, de fonctions publiques.
all legal penalties and indemnities, without their being able to plead as excuse the case of illness, absences, business — whether public or private — a post in the new administration, or public duties.
p. 508
dans les circonstances les plus orageuses ou se soit jamais trouve I 'Empire français.
in the most turbulent circumstances in which the French Empire has ever found itself.
p. 508
Cette cruelle maladie est connue sous le nom de vapeurs ; j 'ai le malheur d 'y etre sujet presque toutes les annees ; les Anglais la connaissent sous le nom de spleen; elle provient de deux causes, ou d 'une trop grande tension dans la pensee, et de l'inertie de la pensee, ou du defaut d'exercise du corps ... Le chagrin me devorait ... Tous les moments de mon existence etaient douleureux; mon imagination ne voyait les objects que sous les couleurs les plus sombres.
This cruel illness is known by the name of vapors; I have the misfortune of being subject to it nearly every year; the English know it by the name of spleen; it arises from two causes — either from an excessive tension of thought and the inertia of thought, or from a lack of bodily exercise ... Grief was devouring me ... Every moment of my existence was painful; my imagination saw things only in the darkest colors.
p. 509
les circonstances actuelles
the current circumstances
p. 509
C'est qu'il [Panckoucke] est une des grandes victimes de la Revolution, qu'elle lui ote plus d'un million et le fruit de pres de 40 annees de penibles travaux; qu 'il a expose sa fortune entiere pour soutenir l 'Encyclopedie.
It is that he [Panckoucke] is one of the great victims of the Revolution, which strips him of more than a million [livres] and the fruit of nearly 40 years of painful labor; that he has staked his entire fortune to sustain the Encyclopédie.
p. 509
Il a ete un des hommes les plus utiles dans la Revolution, en procurant tous les jours de I 'occupation a plus de six cents personnes, a cent gens de lettres, soixante graveurs, deux cents ouvriers imprimeurs, et un plus grand nombre d 'ouvriers dans les manufactures de papiers. Les nouveaux malheurs qu'il vient d'eprouver par la suspension des paiements d 'une des principales maisons de banque de Paris [ Gastinel !] suffiraient seuls pour oter toute idee de malveillance a son egard.
He has been one of the most useful men in the Revolution, providing daily employment to more than six hundred persons, to a hundred men of letters, sixty engravers, two hundred printing workers, and a still greater number of workers in the paper manufactories. The new misfortunes he has just suffered through the suspension of payments by one of the principal banking houses of Paris [Gastinel!] would alone suffice to remove any idea of ill will toward him.
p. 510
vu le doublement du prix de tous les objets de commerce et des arts.
given the doubling of the price of all objects of commerce and the arts.
p. 510
AVEC APPROBATION ET PRIVILEGE DU ROI.
WITH APPROVAL AND PRIVILEGE OF THE KING.
p. 510
A PARIS, Chez PANCKOUCKE, Libraire, Hotel de Thou, rue des Poitevins; A LIEGE, Chez PLOMTEux, Imprimeur des Etats.
IN PARIS, At PANCKOUCKE's, Bookseller, Hôtel de Thou, rue des Poitevins; IN LIÈGE, At PLOMTEUX's, Printer to the States.
p. 510
PARM. NAIGEON
BY M. NAIGEON
p. 510
A PARIS,/Chez PANCKOUCKE, Imprimeur-Libraire, hotel de Thou, rue des/Poitevins [double rule] M. DCC. XCII.
IN PARIS, / At PANCKOUCKE's, Printer-Bookseller, Hôtel de Thou, rue des / Poitevins [double rule] 1792.
p. 510
PARLE CIT. NAIGEON
BY CITIZEN NAIGEON
p. 510
A PARis,/Chez H. Agasse, Imprimeur-Libraire, rue des Poitevins. [double rule] L' AN DEUXIEME DE LA REPUBLIQUE FRANQAISE/UNE ET INDIVISIBLE.
IN PARIS, / At H. Agasse's, Printer-Bookseller, rue des Poitevins. [double rule] THE SECOND YEAR OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC / ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
p. 510
le papier, qui, en 1789, ne nous coutait que 10 livres 10 sols et 11 livres, coute actuellement 20, 21, et 22 livres, et nous sommes menaces d 'une augmentation tres prochaine. L'impression et le tirage sont aussi augmentes de plus d 'un tiers.
paper, which in 1789 cost us only 10 livres 10 sous and 11 livres, currently costs 20, 21, and 22 livres, and we are threatened with a very imminent further increase. Printing and presswork have also increased by more than a third.
p. 510
force d 'abord de ralentir, ensuite de suspendre I 'impression de I'Encyclopedie methodique.
forced first to slow down, then to suspend the printing of the Encyclopédie méthodique.
p. 511 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
Le regne de Robespierre a ete horrible, celui d'une contre-revolution le serait mille fois davantage.
The reign of Robespierre was horrible; that of a counter-revolution would be a thousand times more so.
p. 512 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
l'entreprise la plus vaste du dix-huitieme siecle ... entreprise au-dessus des forces d 'un simple particulier, et qui a coute a son editeur sa fortune, sa sante, et sa vie.
the most vast enterprise of the eighteenth century ... an enterprise beyond the powers of a single private individual, and which cost its publisher his fortune, his health, and his life.
p. 513 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
102 livraisons ou 337 parties, formant 166 volumes et demi de texte et 51 parties renfermant 6439 planches in-quarto.
102 installments or 337 parts, forming 166 and a half volumes of text and 51 parts containing 6,439 quarto plates.
p. 515 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
Lonis, par la grace de Dicu, Roi de France ct de Navarre: a nos ames et feaux Conseillers, Jes Geus teuant nos Cours de Parlement, Maitres des Requetes ordinaires de notre Hotel, Grand Conseil, Prevot de Paris, Baillis, Senechaux, leurs foeutenants-Civils et autres nos Justiciers qu'il appartiendra: SAL UT. Notre aime le sieur PANCKOUCKE, Libraire a Paris, Nous a fait exposer qu 'il desirerait faire imprimer et donner au public un ouvrage intitule: Encyclopedie Methodique; s 'il ~ous plaisait lui accorder nos I1ettres de Privilege pour ce necessaires. A CES CAUSES, Youlant favorablement traiter l 'Exposant, Nous lui avons permis et permettons par ces presentes, de faire imprimer ledit ouvrage ... Car tel est notre plaisir.
Louis, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre: to our beloved and trusty Councillors, the persons holding our Courts of Parlement, Masters of Ordinary Petitions of our Household, Grand Council, Provost of Paris, Bailiffs, Seneschals, their Civil Lieutenants and our other Justiciaries to whom it shall appertain: GREETING. Our beloved the sieur PANCKOUCKE, Bookseller in Paris, has set forth to Us that he would desire to have printed and to give to the public a work entitled: Encyclopédie Méthodique; if it should please Us to grant him Our Letters of Privilege necessary for this purpose. FOR THESE REASONS, wishing to treat the Petitioner favorably, We have permitted and do permit by these presents that he cause the said work to be printed ... For such is Our pleasure.
p. 515 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
On peut juger si j 'ai du regretter M. de L ....., qui, dit-on, me servait si bien. Je n'ai jamais vu qu 'une seule fois ce magistrat ... Je n 'en ai jamais obtenu aucune grace, aucun arret de Conseil; et je puis dire avec la plus sincere verite que depuis que j 'existe dans le
One may judge whether I had reason to miss M. de L....., who, it is said, served me so well. I have never seen that magistrate more than once ... I have never obtained from him any favor, any Council decree; and I can say with the most sincere truthfulness that since I have existed in [the trade],
p. 515 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
Il me parait que le sieur Panckoucke fait de trop grandes affaires et tient trop au gouvernement pour vouloir se permettre aucune fraude; la fraude d 'ailleurs n 'est pas dans le genre de ses speculations.
It seems to me that the sieur Panckoucke conducts too large a business and is too closely tied to the government to wish to permit himself any fraud; fraud moreover is not in the nature of his speculations.
p. 515 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
M. le comte de Vergennes, convaincu de I 'importance de la chose, anime d 'un zele eclaire pour les progres des connaissances utiles, considerant surtout que l 'Encyclopedie est un ouvrage national, qui demande les secours du gouvernement; ce ministre a daigne nous ouvrir le cabinet des affaires etrangeres relativement aux echanges, traites de paix, et stipulations d 'Etat a Etat; il nous a muni des documents, notices et renseignements dont nous avons pu avoir besoin dans la confection de cet ouvrage.
M. the comte de Vergennes, convinced of the importance of the matter, animated by an enlightened zeal for the progress of useful knowledge, considering above all that the Encyclopédie is a national work which calls for the support of the government, condescended to open for us the office of foreign affairs with regard to exchanges, peace treaties, and state-to-state stipulations; he provided us with the documents, notices, and information of which we could have need in the making of this work.
p. 516 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
commerce, je n 'ai sollicite la protection ni l 'autorite pour favoriser mes entreprises aux depens du public.
[the] trade, I have never sought protection from the authorities to favor my enterprises at the expense of the public.
p. 516 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
Dedies et presentes a Monsieur Le Noir, Conseiller d'Etat, Lieutenant general de Police.
Dedicated and presented to Monsieur Le Noir, Councillor of State, Lieutenant General of Police.
p. 516 — An Enlightenment Publisher in a Cultural Revolution
cent mille ecus de redevances qu 'il paye au gouvernement OU aux auteurs meritent quelques egards.
one hundred thousand écus in dues that he pays to the government or to authors deserve some consideration.
p. 517
On m'a designe comme un ennemi de la Revolution actuelle, un partisan du systeme prohibitif et de la censure
I have been designated as an enemy of the current Revolution, a partisan of the prohibitive system and of censorship
p. 517
J'ai toujours eu l'un et l'autre en horreur. Personne n'a eu plus a souffrir que moi ... J'ai ecrit contre les privileges exclusifs eternels, en defendant les privileges limites, sans lesquels il ne pourrait exister de propriete ni pour les gens de lettres, ni pour les libraires.
I have always held both in horror. No one has had more to suffer than I ... I have written against eternal exclusive privileges, while defending limited privileges, without which no property could exist either for men of letters or for booksellers.
p. 517
esprit de combinaisons
spirit of scheming [or: spirit of deal-making / combinatory thinking]
p. 518
la vraie ligne de demarcation qui separe la liberte de la licence
the true line of demarcation that separates liberty from licence
p. 518
despotique
despotic
p. 518
C'est la concurrence qui fait baisser le prix de toutes les choses.
It is competition that brings down the price of all things.
p. 518
aristocratique
aristocratic
p. 519
Societe typographique nationale
National Typographic Society
p. 520
dans les tenebres de la nuit ces poisons avec lesquels on cherche a corrompre l'esprit des peuples et a egarer leur raison.
in the darkness of the night those poisons with which one seeks to corrupt the minds of the people and to lead their reason astray.
p. 520
ces ecrits incendiaires, calomnieux, ces pamphlets continuellement delateurs, ou l'on se permet, sans fondement, d'inculper des personnes en place.
those incendiary, slanderous writings, those pamphlets that are continually informing on people, in which one permits oneself, without grounds, to accuse persons in office.
p. 521
la destruction de tout ordre, de toute regle.
the destruction of all order, of all rule.
p. 521
Il n'y a point d'efforts, de petites ruses, de moyens sourds, qu'on n'ait employes soit directement, soit indirectement pour detruire un etablissement ou j'ai mis une partie de ma fortune et qui m'a coute dix annees de peines, de soins, et de combinaisons.
There is no effort, no petty trick, no underhand means that has not been employed either directly or indirectly to destroy an enterprise in which I have invested a part of my fortune and which has cost me ten years of hardship, care, and scheming.
p. 521
ces pamphlets et ce torrent de feuilles de toutes sortes de formats, qu'on peut imprimer en moins de deux heures et dont tout un faubourg, une ville entiere, peuvent etre infestes dans un temps tres limite.
those pamphlets and that torrent of sheets of all sorts of formats, which can be printed in less than two hours and with which an entire neighbourhood, an entire city, can be infested in a very short time.
p. 522
un moyen tres simple de circonscrire la liberte de la presse dans ces vraies limites,
a very simple means of confining the freedom of the press within its true limits,
p. 523
ennemis que la Revolution m'a donnes
enemies that the Revolution has given me
p. 523
Proprietaire de journaux, dont les uns passent pour aristocrates, les autres pour democrates, pretendent-ils me faire un reproche des premiers? Je leur declare cependant ici par ecrit ce que j'ai souvent dit de vive voix: 'Je ne suis ni aristocrate, ni democrate; je suis, je veux etre et mourir citoyen actif de la premiere monarchie libre et representative.'
As the owner of newspapers, some of which pass for aristocratic and others for democratic, do they mean to reproach me for the former? I declare to them here in writing, however, what I have often said aloud: 'I am neither an aristocrat nor a democrat; I am, I wish to be, and to die, an active citizen of the foremost free and representative monarchy.'
p. 523
La liberte de la presse, telle qu'elle existe, du moins a Paris, est le scandale de l'Europe, la terreur des honnetes gens, celle d'un peuple egare, qui semble ne reconnaitre ni loi,
The freedom of the press, as it exists, at least in Paris, is the scandal of Europe, the terror of honest people, [and] that of a misguided populace which seems to acknowledge neither law,
p. 524
ni frein, ni autorite.
nor restraint, nor authority.
p. 524
Auteur qui s'occupe a publier des extraits et des jugements d'ouvrages de litterature, des sciences, et des arts, a mesure qu'ils paraissent.
An author who is engaged in publishing extracts and judgements of works of literature, the sciences, and the arts, as they appear.
p. 524
mille pamphlets, mille journaux odieux, ou leurs auteurs se sont permis de vomir les injures les plus atroces contre les princes
a thousand pamphlets, a thousand odious journals, in which their authors have allowed themselves to vomit the most atrocious insults against the princes
p. 525
le plus grand monument qui ait jamais ete eleve a la gloire des sciences et des arts,
the greatest monument that has ever been raised to the glory of the sciences and the arts,
p. 525
des lois Saliques, Ripuaires, Bourguignonnes, et Lombardes, ainsi que des capitulations des rois de la seconde race
Salic, Ripuarian, Burgundian, and Lombard laws, as well as the capitularies of the kings of the second dynasty
p. 525
merite l'approbation la plus flatteuse de son censeur.
earned the most flattering approval of its censor.
p. 525
traitee d'apres les principes des droits de l'homme, si bien connus actuellement
treated according to the principles of the rights of man, so well known at present
p. 525
les maximes monstrueuses de notre ancien gouvernment.
the monstrous maxims of our former government.
p. 525
une institution politique avantageuse
an advantageous political institution
p. 525
Il cherche a donner du ridicule a celui-la; il l'attaque dans sa source; et
He seeks to make [it] ridiculous; he attacks it at its source; and
p. 526
non content d'etablir que la nature nous fait tous egaux par la naissance, la mort, et le malheur, il soutient qu'elle a tant contrarie la loi qu'il n'y aurait en effet ni noble, ni roturier, si les secrets de la nature etaient devoiles.
not content with establishing that nature makes us all equal by birth, death, and misfortune, he maintains that nature has so much thwarted the law that there would in effect be neither noble nor commoner, if the secrets of nature were revealed.
p. 526
Il sera honorable pour la nation qu'au milieu des troubles qui l'agitent et des combats inevitables qu'elle est obligee de soutenir pour le maintien de la liberte attaquee au dehors avec tant de fureur et au dedans avec tant de perfidie, elle puisse cependant se vanter d'avoir mis a fin le plus grand edifice qu'on ait jamais eleve a la gloire des connaissances
It will be honourable for the nation that, in the midst of the troubles that agitate it and the unavoidable battles it is obliged to sustain for the preservation of liberty attacked from without with such fury and from within with such treachery, it can nonetheless boast of having completed the greatest edifice ever raised to the glory of human knowledge
p. 527
humaines. Il convenait a la France de garder, meme dans des conjonctures si menacantes, sa suprematie dans les lettres, de faire, au sein des orages, ce que nul autre peuple ne pourrait faire dans le calme de la paix, et de poser d'une main le faite du temple des sciences, tandis que de l'autre elle combat pres du berceau de la liberte.
It was fitting for France to maintain, even in such threatening circumstances, its supremacy in letters, to accomplish, in the midst of storms, what no other people could accomplish in the calm of peace, and to place with one hand the capstone of the temple of the sciences, while with the other it fights near the cradle of liberty.
p. 527
Sur une opinion qui commence a se repandre dans le public, que la Revolution rend inutiles plusieurs dictionnaires de l'Encyclopedie methodique
On an opinion that is beginning to spread among the public, that the Revolution renders several dictionaries of the Encyclopédie méthodique useless
p. 528 — The Last of the Encyclopedists
C'est une Encyclopedie nouvelle, batie sur les fondements de l'ancienne.
It is a new Encyclopédie, built on the foundations of the old one.
p. 535
Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose
The more things change, the more they stay the same
p. 535
L'institut presenterait une sorte d'encyclopedie toujours etudiante et toujours enseignante; et Paris verrait dans ses murs le monument le plus complet et le plus magnifique qui jamais ait ete eleve aux sciences.
The institute would present a kind of encyclopedia always studying and always teaching; and Paris would see within its walls the most complete and most magnificent monument that has ever been raised to the sciences.
Conclusion
p. 538 — The Production and Diffusion of Enlightenment
le bourgeois
the boss [literally: the bourgeois, the master]
p. 540
librairie venant de l'etranger
books coming from abroad
p. 540
brigandage
brigandage [highway robbery / plunder]
p. 540
il a trouve un remede des plus assures et des plus efficaces, dont il est seul possesseur, pour guerir non seulement les maladies veneriennes les plus inveterees et abandonnees par le mercure; mais il est encore specifique dans les maladies chroniques, qui ont ete de tout temps incurables; telles sont les humeurs froides, le scorbut, le lait repandu des femmes et les dartres de toute nature, qu'il guerit, non d'une maniere douteuse, mais radicale.
he has found a remedy of the most reliable and most efficacious kind, of which he is the sole possessor, for curing not only the most deep-seated venereal diseases abandoned by mercury; but it is also a specific remedy for chronic diseases that have at all times been incurable; such as cold humours, scurvy, milk fever in women, and skin eruptions of every kind, which he cures not in a doubtful manner, but radically.
p. 545
les deux bouts de l 'Europe
the two ends of Europe
p. 548
J amais entreprise de ce genre et de cette force n 'a eu plus de succes et n 'a ete menee avec autant de celerite. En moins de 2% ans et a pres avoir renouvele par deux fois la souscription, nous avons imprime 8,000 exemplaires de cette Encyclopedic, dont il ne nous reste qu'un petit nombre a placer. Le public semblait attendre avec une sorte a d 'impatience qu 'il put etre servi cet egard par des bibliopoles moins rapaces que les premiers editeurs. Nous nous. sommes piques, nos associes et nous, de le satisfaire a cet egard, et YOUS jugerez, Monsieur, que si les lumieres philosophiques manquent dans ce meilleur des mondes, ce ne sera pas certainement notre faute.
Never has an enterprise of this kind and this force had more success or been conducted with such speed. In less than two and a half years, and after having renewed the subscription twice, we have printed 8,000 copies of this Encyclopédie, of which only a small number remain to be placed. The public seemed to await with a kind of impatience the moment when it could be served in this regard by booksellers less rapacious than the first publishers. We have prided ourselves, our associates and we, on satisfying it in this regard, and you will judge, Monsieur, that if philosophical enlightenment is lacking in this best of worlds, it will certainly not be our fault.
p. 548 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
ce metier-ci donne plus de bile que d 'autres
this trade produces more bile [bitterness] than others
p. 548 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
Lumieres
Enlightenment [literally: Lights]
p. 550 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
apergu de l 'entreprise
overview of the enterprise
p. 550 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
ce qui do it nous revenir
what should come back to us [i.e., our share of the returns]
p. 550 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
calcul des benefices
calculation of profits
p. 550 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
un homme avide ... et qui aime l'argent avec fureur
a greedy man ... who loves money with fury
p. 550 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
Vos Suisses sont des gens affames
Your Swiss are starving [i.e., ravenous] people
p. 550 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
l'argent, qui est le grand mobile de tout
money, which is the great driving force of everything
p. 551 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
M. Duplain a absolument quitte toutes affaires
M. Duplain has absolutely left all business affairs
p. 551 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
Il me charge de a a vous repondre qu 'il est devenu tout fait etranger la li a brairie, laquellc il renonce pour toujours
He charges me to reply to you that he has become entirely a stranger to the book trade, which he renounces forever
p. 551 — Enlightenment Publishing and the Spirit of Capitalism
Je vi ens de contracter uu mariage, arretc le cours de mes voyages ... Mon intention, d 'apres le mariage que je viens de faire, etant de a a a ceder mon commerce mon frere, il ne convient ni lui ni moi de diriger notre industrie sm· d 'antrcs nrtieles que ceux de uotre fonds.
I have just contracted a marriage, [which has] halted the course of my travels ... My intention, following the marriage I have just made, being to cede my business to my brother, it suits neither him nor me to direct our industry toward articles other than those of our [existing] stock.
p. 552 — The Encyclopédie and the State
L 'on peut, sans courir aucun risque, s 'oc cuper hautement de cet objet, puisque nous avons permission meme exclusive ment d 'introduire et de debiter notre edition dans le royaume.
One may, without running any risk, openly concern oneself with this matter, since we have permission, even exclusively, to introduce and to sell our edition in the kingdom.
p. 553
Nos magasins sont pleins, de maniere qu'a la moindre delation au clerge nous serions pris comme des rats dans une souriciere.
Our warehouses are full, such that at the slightest denunciation to the clergy we would be caught like rats in a mousetrap.
p. 553
L'affaire des libraires concernant les arrets est au Parlement. On y a denonce notre Encyclopedie in-quarto. Je viens d'ecrire a Duplain pour faire mettre tout en surete et tout suspendre. La librairie de Paris est enragee.
The booksellers' affair concerning the edicts is before the Parlement. Our quarto Encyclopédie has been denounced there. I have just written to Duplain to have everything put in safety and everything suspended. The Paris book trade is furious.
p. 553
si notre edition venait etre proscrite, il y a apparence qu'elle se vendrait mieux.
if our edition were to be proscribed, it appears likely that it would sell better.
p. 553
fausse alarme
false alarm
p. 553
Nous faisons peu de cal! d'une denonciation au Parlement, qui d'ailleurs presente peu d'objets de crainte, vu qu'il entre en feries jusqu'au mois de deeembre.
We care little about a denunciation to the Parlement, which moreover presents few grounds for fear, given that it is entering recess until the month of December.
p. 554
meme l'a cru, et par bonte il a bien voulu m'en donner avis. J'ai meme eu la precaution de faire mettre ici tout a part, dans un magasin separe.
himself believed it, and out of kindness he was good enough to give me notice of it. I even took the precaution of having everything put aside here, in a separate warehouse.
p. 554
le favori de tous les ministres
the favorite of all the ministers
p. 554
un fonctionnaire ayant aussi un portefeuille
a government official who also held a ministerial portfolio
p. 554
Je vous ai mande dans le temps, et toute la librairie de Lyon en est informee, que Duplain a donne 40,000 livres [to Neville] pour avoir la permission d'imprimer l'Encyclopedie.
I informed you at the time, and the entire Lyon book trade is aware of it, that Duplain gave 40,000 livres [to Neville] to obtain permission to print the Encyclopédie.
p. 554
Il est bon enfant. Envoyez-lui quelques douceurs. Faites-lui connaitre l'intention ou vous etes d'augmenter sa bibliotheque, et si l'appat reussit, vous obtiendrez plus faeilement par cette voie que par toute autre ce que vous desirez.
He is a good-natured fellow. Send him a few little gifts. Let him know of your intention to add to his library, and if the bait succeeds, you will obtain more easily by this means than by any other what you desire.
p. 554
On m'a assure que la denonciation avait ete faite,
I have been assured that the denunciation had been made,
p. 559 — The Cultural Revolution
On m'a assure, et on m'a offert de m'en donner la liste, qu'il y a actuellement dans Paris plus de deux cents imprimeries. Il n'y en avait que ti·ente-six privilegiees avant la Revolution ... Presque toutcs sont occupees de journaux.
I have been assured, and someone offered to give me the list, that there are currently in Paris more than two hundred printing shops. There were only thirty-six privileged ones before the Revolution... Almost all of them are occupied with newspapers.
p. 560
immrrections dans l'imprimerie
insurrections in the printing trade
p. 560
Memoire en faveur de M. Panckoucke relatif aux journaux dont il est proprietaire
Memoir in favor of M. Panckoucke concerning the journals of which he is the owner
Appendix D
p. 616 — Mathematiques
Abbe C. Bossut, de l'Academie des sciences
Abbé C. Bossut, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 616 — Mathematiques
M.-J.-A.-N. Caritat, marquis de Condorcet, de l 'Academie des sciences
M.-J.-A.-N. Caritat, marquis de Condorcet, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 616 — Mathematiques
J.-A.-0. Charles, de l'Academie des sciences
J.-A.-O. Charles, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 616 — Mathematiques
J.-J. Lefrani;ois de Lalande, de l'Academie des sciences
J.-J. Lefrançois de Lalande, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 616 — Physique
G. Monge, de l 'Academie des sciences
G. Monge, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 616 — Medecine
F. Vicq d'Azyr, de l'Academie des sciences
F. Vicq d'Azyr, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 616 — Medecine
0.-L.-F. Andry, docteur en medecine
O.-L.-F. Andry, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
C. A. Caille, docteur en medecine
C. A. Caille, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
N. Chambon de Montaux, docteur en medecine
N. Chambon de Montaux, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
J.-F.-J. Roussille de Chamseru, docteur en medecine
J.-F.-J. Roussille de Chamseru, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
J. Colombier, docteur en medecine
J. Colombier, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
A.-F. de Fourcroy, docteur en medecine
A.-F. de Fourcroy, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
J. De Horne, docteur en medecine
J. De Horne, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
F. Doublet, docteur en medecine
F. Doublet, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
J. Goulin, docteur en medecine
J. Goulin, doctor of medicine
p. 617 — Medecine
J.-N. Halle, docteur en medecine
J.-N. Hallé, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
J.-B. Huzard, docteur en medecine
J.-B. Huzard, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
D. Jeanroi, docteur en medecine
D. Jeanroi, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
J. J. De Laporte, docteur en medecine
J. J. De Laporte, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
Mauduyt de la Varenne, docteur en medecine
Mauduyt de la Varenne, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
C. J. Saillant, docteur en medecine
C. J. Saillant, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
M.-A. Thouret, docteur en medecine
M.-A. Thouret, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Medecine
J. Verdier, docteur en medecine
J. Verdier, doctor of medicine
p. 618 — Chirurgie
A. Louis, secretaire perpetuel de l 'Academie de chirurgie
A. Louis, perpetual secretary of the Academy of Surgery
p. 618 — Chimie, metallurgie, pharmacie
L.-B. Guyton de Morveau, avocat-general honoraire
L.-B. Guyton de Morveau, honorary attorney-general
p. 618 — Chimie, metallurgie, pharmacie
J.-P.-F.-G. Duhamel, de l'Academie des sciences
J.-P.-F.-G. Duhamel, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 619 — Chimie, metallurgie, pharmacie
F. Chaussier, professeur de chimie
F. Chaussier, professor of chemistry
p. 619 — Agriculture
Abbe A.-H. Tessier, de l'Academie des sciences
Abbé A.-H. Tessier, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 619 — Agriculture
A. Thouin, jardinier en chef du Jardin du roi, de l 'Academie des sciences
A. Thouin, head gardener of the King's Garden, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 619 — Bois et Forets
A.-D. Fougeroux de Bondaroy, de l 'Academie des sciences
A.-D. Fougeroux de Bondaroy, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 619 — Histoire naturelle
L.-J.-M. Daubenton, de l'Academie des sciences
L.-J.-M. Daubenton, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 620 — Les animaux quadrupedes
P.-M.-A. Broussonet, de l'Academie des sciences
P.-M.-A. Broussonet, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 620 — Les insects
G.-A. Olivier, docteur en medecine
G.-A. Olivier, doctor of medicine
p. 620 — Les vers, coquillages, zoophytes
J.-G. Bruguieres, docteur en medecine
J.-G. Bruguières, doctor of medicine
p. 620 — Botanique
J.-B.-P.-A. de Lamarck, de l'Academie des sciences
J.-B.-P.-A. de Lamarck, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 620 — Geographie physique
N. Desmarets, de l'Academie des sciences
N. Desmarets, of the Academy of Sciences
p. 621 — Geographie et histoire anciennes
E. Mentelle, geographe de Monseigneur Comte d '.Artois
E. Mentelle, geographer to His Highness the Count of Artois
p. 621 — Geographie moderne
F. Robert, geographe ordinaire du roi
F. Robert, ordinary geographer to the king
p. 621 — Geographie moderne
N. Masson de Morvilliers, secretaire du government de Normandie
N. Masson de Morvilliers, secretary of the government of Normandy
p. 621 — Antiquites
Abbe A. Mongez, garde des antiques de Sainte Genevieve
Abbé A. Mongez, keeper of antiquities at Sainte-Geneviève
p. 621 — Histoire
G.-H. Gaillard, de l'.Academie frani;aise
G.-H. Gaillard, of the Académie française
p. 622 — Theologie
N.-S. Bergier, confesseur de Monsieur
N.-S. Bergier, confessor to Monsieur [the king's brother]
p. 622 — Metaphysique, logique
P.-L. Lacretelle, avocat
P.-L. Lacretelle, lawyer
p. 622 — Grammaire, Litterature
J.-F. Marmontel, de l'Academie frani;aise
J.-F. Marmontel, of the Académie française
p. 622 — Grammaire, Litterature
N. Beauzee, de l'Academie frani;aise
N. Beauzée, of the Académie française
p. 622 — Jurisprudence
A.-J. Boucher d'Argis, avocat
A.-J. Boucher d'Argis, lawyer
p. 622 — Jurisprudence
Le Rasle, avocat
Le Rasle, lawyer
p. 622 — Jurisprudence
J.-V. Delacroix, avocat
J.-V. Delacroix, lawyer
p. 622 — Jurisprudence
J.-P. Garran de Coulon, avocat
J.-P. Garran de Coulon, lawyer
p. 623 — Jurisprudence
P.-P.-N. Henrion de Pansey, avocat
P.-P.-N. Henrion de Pansey, lawyer
p. 623 — Jurisprudence
Abbe A..-R.-C. Bertolio, avocat
Abbé A.-R.-C. Bertolio, lawyer
p. 623 — Police et municipalite
J. Peuchet, avocat
J. Peuchet, lawyer
p. 623 — Finances
De Surgy, premier commis des Finances
De Surgy, first clerk of the Finances
p. 623 — Economie politique et diplomatique
J.-N. Desmeunier, censeur royal
J.-N. Desmeunier, royal censor
p. 623 — Economie politique et diplomatique
G. Grivel, avocat
G. Grivel, lawyer
p. 624 — Marine
H.-S. Vial du Clairbois, ingenieur-constructeur
H.-S. Vial du Clairbois, naval architect [engineer-constructor]
p. 624 — Marine
Blondeau, professeur de marine
Blondeau, professor of naval [science]
p. 624 — Art militaire
L.-F.-G. de Keralio, de l'Academie des Inscriptions
L.-F.-G. de Keralio, of the Academy of Inscriptions
p. 624 — Art militaire
J.-G. de Lacuee, comte de Cessac, capitaine d 'infanterie
J.-G. de Lacuée, comte de Cessac, infantry captain
p. 624 — Art militaire
Jabro, lieutenant-colonel des grenadiers royaux
Jabro, lieutenant-colonel of the royal grenadiers
p. 624 — Artillerie
F.-R.-J. de Pommereul, capitaine d'artillerie
F.-R.-J. de Pommereul, artillery captain
p. 624 — Ponts et chaussees
G.-C.-F.-M. Riche de Prony, inspecteur des ponts et chaussees
G.-C.-F.-M. Riche de Prony, inspector of bridges and roads
p. 624 — Venerie, chasse, peches
J. Lacombe, avocat
J. Lacombe, lawyer
p. 626 — Arts et metiers
Arts et metiers
Arts and crafts [trades]
p. 626 — Arts et metiers
inspecteur des manufactures
inspector of manufactures
Bibliographical Note
p. 628
Societe typographique de Neuchatel
Typographical Society of Neuchâtel
p. 628
Bibliotheque de la ville de Neuchatel
City Library of Neuchâtel
p. 628
Bibliotheque nationale
National Library
p. 628
Archives de la Chambre syndicale des libraires et imprimeurs de Paris
Archives of the Syndical Chamber of Booksellers and Printers of Paris
p. 628
Direction de la librairie
Directorate of the Book Trade
p. 628
Archives du Departement de la Seine
Archives of the Department of the Seine
p. 628
Bibliotheque historique de la ville de Paris
Historical Library of the City of Paris
p. 628
Bibliotheque publique et universitaire
Public and University Library
p. 628
Archives d'Etat, Commerce
State Archives, Commerce [section]
p. 629
d'apres le registre de deliberations et de comptes des editeurs et un memoire inedit
according to the register of deliberations and accounts of the publishers and an unpublished memoir
p. 629
L'Encyclopedie de Diderot, une grande aventure dans le domaine de l'edition
Diderot's Encyclopédie, a great venture in the field of publishing
p. 630
Table analytique et raisonnee
Analytical and reasoned table [index]
p. 630
Pierre Rousseau et l'edition des Supplbments de l'Encyclopedie
Pierre Rousseau and the publication of the Supplements to the Encyclopédie
p. 630
l'Atlas de la librairie frarn,;aise
the Atlas of the French book trade
p. 631
La diffusion des lumieres dans la seconde moitie du XVIIIe siecle: Ch.-J. Panckoucke, un libraire eclaire (1760-1799)
The diffusion of the Enlightenment in the second half of the 18th century: Ch.-J. Panckoucke, an enlightened bookseller (1760-1799)
p. 631
avis
notices [announcements to subscribers]
p. 632
Les enseignements des bibliotheques privees (1750-1780)
The lessons of private libraries (1750-1780)
p. 632
Le XVIIIe siecle fut tres certainement, par une tendance profonde, un siecle encyclopedique.
The 18th century was most certainly, by a deep tendency, an encyclopedic century.
p. 632
inventaires apres deces
post-mortem inventories
p. 632
permissions tacites
tacit permissions [informal authorizations for publication]
p. 632
Le livre. Un changement de perspective
The book. A change of perspective
p. 632
Faire de l'histoire
Making history
p. 634
A l'ombre des Lumieres: coup d'oeil sur la main d'oeuvre de quelques imprimeries du XVIIIe siecle
In the shadow of the Enlightenment: a glance at the workforce of some printing shops of the 18th century
Index
p. 636
Acquit a caution
Bond of surety [a customs document permitting conditional transit of goods]
p. 636
Annales politiques, civiles, et litteraires du dix-huitieme siecle
Political, Civil, and Literary Annals of the Eighteenth Century
1197 passages translated.