The question is important; for if this memoir is authentic, it follows that the history of d'Argenson's ministry during the year 1745 has yet to be written. B. THE TEXTS OF THE "CONSIDÉRATIONS." Since this essay was written, the two editions of 1764 and 1784 have been carefully collated, with the object of clearing up the obscurity which surrounds them. The conclusions are as follows:-- A. The text of 1764 was completed some years before d'Argenson's accession to the ministry, and is based upon a genuine manuscript, probably as early as those of 1737. B. The text of 1784, the whole of which is subsequent to his retirement from the ministry, divides into two parts. (_a_) Chapters I.--VI., and VIII. These chapters represent a part of the original work as revised and enlarged by the author. The "plan," however, which they are designed to elucidate disappears from the edition, and is replaced (Chapter VII.) by a much vaster project with which they are not concerned. The date of this revision is probably about 1750, and it may be placed generally from 1748 to 1752. (_b_) Chapters VII., IX., and Conclusion. Chapter VII. contains the second of d'Argenson's "plans." Chapter IX. and the Conclusion represent the Chapter VIII., articles 2 and 3, of 1764, re-written with a view to the second plan. To that "plan" they are pointedly directed, and they have neither the same date nor the same intention as the rest of the edition. The date of the second plan and of the second fragmentary revision is probably about 1755. The evidence for the suggested dates must be succinctly given. (_a_) Chapters I.--VI. and VIII. It is here purely internal, _e.g._:-- 35 (1784) _cf._ 37 (1764). "tel s'imagine," &c. 40 " _cf._ 42, " Corruption in England. 42, 45 " _cf._ 43, 47, " Omission of "les circonstances présentes" and "sous le présent règne," pointing to date later than 1751. 49 " _cf._ 52, " Venice: "elle est revenue de ses erreurs." 63 " _cf._ 69, " "The House of Nassau," pointing to date as early as 1748. 64 " _cf._ 70, " Change of tone regarding Switzerland. 90 " _cf._ 104, " "Le roi de Prusse." 101-116 " Addition of two chapters on Paraguay and China. 153 " Appearance of proposal to sell Crown lands. 161 " _cf._ 173, (1764): "gemissants sans faire aucuns efforts." 164 " _cf._ 176, " Amplification of remarks on Councils. 168 " _cf._ 182, " Fleury's ministry. 173 " _cf._ 188, " "Les souverains commencent."