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morality induces me to reject the idea of his having deceived me by such a publication. If I was to name my friend, all who are acquainted with him would do him the same justice. The edition cannot but be a surreptitious one.
My intention was, that this work should not have appeared till ten years after my death; but this accident, and the fear of being thought deficient in gratitude to the public and my country, have determined me to publish it. I declare then, that the only edition I can avow is, the one printed in French, under my own inspection, and which shall be published as soon as possible.
