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viii of which they were not already possessed in another form. They at the same time acknowledge, that without the aids derived from the manuscript translation, which was distributed in parts among their Colleagues, it would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible, to procure the co-operation necessary to the composition of the Encyclopédie. “Il n’y a presqu’aucun de nos Collegues,” says Diderot, “qu’on eût déterminé à travailler, si on lui eût proposé de composer à neuf toute sa partie; tous auroient été effrayés, et l’ Encyclopédie ne se feroit point faite.”

The plan of the work was confessedly modelled upon that of Chambers, which its Editors represent as having obtained the suffrages of the learned throughout Europe; but which unquestionably leaves vacuities under many heads of Science, but ill supplied by a system of references. Seeking no distinction, therefore, from novelty of method, they rested its claims to public favour, upon the great extension of all its departments; upon the various attainments and the literary eminence of its Contributors; and, above ail, on the philosophical spirit which animated their labours. It would be altogether foreign to the purpose of these notices, to enter into any details concerning the literary history of this celebrated work, or the irreligious and revolutionary designs with which its Conductors have been charged. In respect to its completeness as a repertory of knowledge, it may be observed, that the popular departments of biography and history are excluded from its plan; and, with regard to its literary merits, that though it unquestionably contains articles of great excellence, in many of its departments, there is yet everywhere a large alloy of useless matter, dressed out in a vague, diffuse, and declamatory style. As ex-

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