Chapter 5

THE ENCYCLOPÆDIA. (1) ITS HISTORY.

Previous examples of the Encyclopædic idea True parentage of Diderot's Encyclopædia Origin of the undertaking Co-operation of D'Alembert: his history and character Diderot and D'Alembert on the function of literature Presiding characteristic of the Encyclopædia Its more eminent contributors The unsought volunteers Voltaire's share in it Its compliance with reigning prejudice Its aim, not literature but life Publication of first and second volumes (1751-52) Affair of De Prades Diderot's vindication of him (1752) Marks rupture between the Philosophers and the Jansenists Royal decree suppressing first two volumes (1752) Failure of the Jesuits to carry on the work Four more volumes published The seventh volume (1757) Arouses violent hostility The storm made fiercer by Helvétius's _L'Esprit_ Proceedings against the Encyclopædia Their significance They also mark singular reaction within the school of Illumination Retirement of D'Alembert Diderot continues the work alone for seven years His harassing mortifications The Encyclopædia at Versailles Reproduction and imitations Diderot's payment

(2) GENERAL CONTENTS.

Transformation of a speculative into a social attack Circumstances of practical opportuneness Broad features of Encyclopædic revolution Positive spirit of the Encyclopædia Why we call it the organ of a political work Articles on Agriculture On the _Gabelle_ and the _Taille_ On Privilege On the _Corveée_ On the Militia On Endowments, Fairs, and Industrial Guilds On Game and the Chase Enthusiasm for the details of industry Meaning of the importance assigned to industry and science Intellectual side of the change Attitude of the Encyclopædia to religion Diderot's intention under this head How far the scheme fulfilled his intention The Preliminary Discourse Recognition of the value of discussion And of toleration

(3) DIDEROT'S CONTRIBUTIONS.

Their immense confusion Constant insinuation of sound doctrines And of practical suggestions Diderot not always above literary trifling No taste for barren erudition On Montaigne and Bayle Occasional bursts of moralising Varying attitude as to theology The practical arts Second-hand sources Inconsistencies Treatment of metaphysics On Spinosa On Leibnitz On Liberty Astonishing self-contradiction Political articles On the mechanism of government Anticipation of Cobdenic ideas Conclusion