Philosophical Works, v. 1 · David Hume
J. J. R.
The piece above mentioned was shown to the _Translator_ before its publication, and many absurd liberties taken with the original pointed out and censured. At which time there did not appear, from the parties concerned in it, that Mr Hume could have the least hand in, or could have known any thing of the edition.--_English Translator_. [36] I have never seen this piece, neither before nor after its publication; nor has it come to the knowledge of any body to whom I have spoken of it--Mr HUME. The _translator_, who has been attentive to every thing that has come out from, or about Mr Rousseau, knows also nothing of this piece. Why did not Mr Rousseau mention particularly in what paper, and when it appeared?--_English Translator_. [37] I was not present when Mr Rousseau received his cousin. I only just saw them afterwards together for about a minute on the terrace in Buckingham Street.--Mr HUME. [38] How was it possible for me to guess at such chimerical suspicions? Mr Davenport, the only person of my acquaintance who then saw Mr Rousseau, assures me that he was perfectly ignorant of them himself.--Mr HUME. [39] I cannot answer for every thing I may say in my sleep, and much less am I conscious whether or not I dream in French. But pray, as Mr Rousseau did not know whether I was asleep or awake when I pronounced those terrible words, with such a terrible voice, how is he certain that he himself was well awake when he heard them?--Mr HUME. [40] And does it depend on an _if_, after all Mr R's positive conviction, and absolute demonstrations?--_English Translator_. I hesitated some time whether I should make any reply to this strange memorial. At length I determined to write Mr Rousseau the following letter. _Lisle-street, Leicester-fields, July_ 22_d_, 1766.
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