(v.) In his Introduction to the "Mémoires," M. Rathery states (IV. pp. 127-28) that of the four volumes of Memoirs designed by d'Argenson, each containing twelve articles, only Arts. I-4 of Vol. I. have been finally written. Arts. 5-12 of Vol. I. and the whole of Vol. II. were never edited, but remained in the form of notes and memoranda (IV. p. 125). The whole of Vol. III. exists, but imperfectly; and also Vol. IV., with the exception of the last few articles. In brief, the memoirs of the first six weeks of d'Argenson's ministry (Nov. 18-Dec. 31, 1744; "Mémoires," I. Arts. I-4) are edited completely; _those of the year 1745_ ("Mémoires," I., Arts. 5-12, and II.) _are not edited at all_, but were left as notes and memoranda; and those of 1746 are edited, but imperfectly. Now (vi.) we find that the second half of Flassan, Vol. V. book 4, is occupied with a careful and copious account of _the first six weeks_ of d'Argenson's ministry (mostly in d'Argenson's own words); but no sooner are those first six weeks over than d'Argenson's manuscript and Flassan's fulness come to a sudden and simultaneous end; and the events of the whole year 1745 are disposed of in eight pages, of which the relations between France and Prussia occupy the four following lines:-- "En conséquence de cette communication [Frederick's proposal for peace, December, 1744, _see_ this essay, p. 103], le roi de Prusse fit, le 25 décembre 1745, sa paix à Dresde, afin de s'assurer la Silésie, qu'il se fit garantir par l'Angleterre." In the year 1746 (when the "Mémoires" are edited, but imperfectly) d'Argenson and M. Flassan are again intimately associated. (vii.) The appearance of fulness given to the account of 1745 is produced by the insertion of three long memoirs: (_a_) this disputed memoir to Louis XV.; and (_b_) a couple more designed by d'Argenson for the king of Poland. The manner of their appearance is peculiar. On p. 241 (Vol. V.), without any clear connection with the preceding, M. Flassan writes an original twenty lines of introduction, and suddenly reproduces the Flassan Memoir (V. pp. 242-45). The Memoir is followed, not by any consecutive argument, or even by any original writing, but is simply wedged in its place with a couple of paragraphs taken word for word from d'Argenson's "Mémoires," I. Art. 4 (one of the articles perfectly edited, and referring to a period some time before). Comp. Flassan, V. p. 245, and Rathery, IV. p. 261. Then follow the eight pages referred to above. They bring Book IV. to a close.