Although the weather was cold, and the ground lightly covered with snow, the earth began to vegetate: violets and primroses already made their appearance, the trees began to bud, and the evening of my arrival was distinguished by the song of the nightingale, which was heard almost under my window, in a wood adjoining the house.After a light sleep, forgetting when I awoke my change of abode, I still thought myself in the Rue Grenelle, when suddenly this warbling made me give a start, and I exclaimed in my transport: "At length, all my wishes are accomplished!" The first thing I did was abandon myself to the impression of the rural objects with which I was surrounded.
Instead of beginning to set things in order in my new habitation, Ibegan by doing it for my walks, and there was not a path, a copse, a grove, nor a corner in the environs of my place of residence that Idid not visit the next day.The more I examined this charming retreat, the more I found it to my wishes.This solitary, rather than savage, spot transported me in idea to the end of the world.It had striking beauties which are but seldom found near cities, and never, if suddenly transported thither, could any person have imagined himself within four leagues of Paris.
After abandoning myself for a few days to this rural delirium, Ibegan to arrange my papers, and regulate my occupations.I set apart, as I had always done, my mornings to copying, and my afternoons to walking, provided with my little paper book and a pencil, for never having been able to write and think at my ease except sub dio, I had no inclination to depart from this method, and I was persuaded the forest of Montmorency, which was almost at my door, would in future be my closet and study.I had several works begun; these I cast my eye over.My mind was indeed fertile in great projects, but in the noise of the city the execution of them had gone on but slowly.I proposed to myself to use more diligence when I should be less interrupted.Iam of opinion I have sufficiently fulfilled this intention; and for a man frequently ill, often at La Chevrette, at Epinay, at Eaubonne, at the castle of Montmorency, at other times interrupted by the indolent and curious, and always employed half the day in copying, if what I produced during the six years I passed at the Hermitage and at Montmorency be considered, I am persuaded it will appear that if, in this interval, I lost my time, it was not in idleness.
Of the different works I had upon the stocks, that I had longest resolved in my mind, which was most to my taste, to which I destined a certain portion of my life, and which, in my opinion, was to confirm the reputation I had acquired, was my Institutions Politiques.* I had, fourteen years before, when at Venice, where I had an opportunity of remarking the defects of that government so much boasted of, conceived the first idea of them.Since that time my views had become much more extended by the historical study of morality.I had perceived everything to be radically connected with politics, and that, upon whatever principles these were founded, a people would never be more than that which the nature of the government made them; therefore the great question of the best government possible appeared to me to be reduced to this: What is the nature of a government the most proper to form the most virtuous and enlightened, the wisest and best people, taking the last epithet in its most extensive meaning? I thought this question was much if not quite of the same nature with that which follows: What government is that which, by its nature, always maintains itself nearest to the laws, or least deviates from the laws.*(2) Hence, what is the law? and a series of questions of similar importance.I perceived these led to great truths, useful to the happiness of mankind, but more especially to that of my country, wherein, in the journey I had just made to it, I had not found notions of laws and liberty either sufficiently just or clear.I had thought this indirect manner of communicating these to my fellow-citizens would be least mortifying to their pride, and might obtain me forgiveness for having seen a little further than themselves.
* Political Institutions.
*(2) Quel est le gouvernement qui par sa nature se tient toujours le plus pres de la loi?
Although I had already labored five or six years at the work, the progress I had made in it was not considerable.Writings of this kind require meditation, leisure, and tranquillity.I had besides written the Institutions Politiques, as the expression is, en bonne fortune, and had not communicated my project to any person, not even to Diderot.I was afraid it would be thought too daring for the age and country in which I wrote, and that the fears of my friends would restrain me from carrying it into execution.* I did not yet know that it would be finished in time, and in such a manner as to appear before my decease.I wished fearlessly to give to my subject everything it required; fully persuaded that not being of a satirical turn, and never wishing to be personal, I should in equity always be judged irreprehensible.I undoubtedly wished fully to enjoy the right of thinking which I had by birth; but still respecting the government under which I lived, without ever disobeying its laws, and very attentive not to violate the rights of persons, I would not from fear renounce its advantages.
* It was more especially the wise severity of Duclos which inspired me with this fear; as for Diderot, I know not by what means all my conferences with him tended to make me more satirical than my natural disposition inclined me to be.This prevented me from consulting him upon an undertaking, in which I wished to introduce nothing but the force of reasoning, without the least appearance of ill humor or partiality.The manner of this work may be judged of by that of the Contrat Social, (Social Contract), which is taken from it.