Chapter II: Preface: By the Translator

The Translator of the following little treatise deems it necessary to say a few words as to the object of its publication. It is given to the world, neither with a view to advocate Scepticism, nor to spread Infidelity, but simply to vindicate the right of private judgment. No human being is in a position to look into the heart, or to decide correctly as to the creed or conduct of his fellow mortals; and the attributes of the Deity are so far beyond the grasp of limited reason, that man must become a God himself before he can comprehend them. Such being the case, surely all harsh censure of each other's opinions and actions ought to be abandoned; and every one should so train himself as to be enabled to declare with the humane and manly philosopher

"Homo sum, nihil humani me alienum puto."

Dundee, September 1844.

The Vale production is evidently translated from an edition derived from the Latin manuscript which is the basis of the translation given in this volume. The variations in the text of each not being important, but simply due to the different modes of expression of the translators--the ideas conveyed being the same.

The Treatise in Vale's edition concludes with the following:

"Happy the man who, studying Nature's laws,
Through known effects can trace the secret cause;
His mind possessing in a quiet state,
Fearless of Fortune, and resigned to Fate."

--Dryden's Virgil. Georgics Book II, l. 700.

There is also in the Library of Congress a volume entitled "Traité des Trois Imposteurs." En Suisse de l'imprimerie philosophique--1793. Boards 3 1/2 × 5 3/4 inches, containing the Treatise proper 112 pp. Sentimens sur le traite des trois imposteurs, (De la Monnaye) 32 pp. Response a la dissertation de M. de la Monnaye 19 pp. signed J. L. R. L. and dated at Leyden 1 Jan., 1716, to which this note is appended: "This letter is from Sieur Pierre Frederic Arpe, of Kiel, in Holstein, author of the apology of Vanini, printed at Rotterdam in 8o, 1712." The letter contains the account of the discovery of the original Latin manuscript at Frankfort-on-the-Main, in substance much the same as the translation given in this edition.

In the copy at the Congressional Library, I find the following manuscript notes which may be rendered as follows: "Voltaire doubted the existence of this work, this was in 1767. See his letter to his Highness Monseigneur The Prince of ----. Letter V, Vol. 48 of his works, p. 312."

See Barbier Dict. des ouv. anon. Nos. 18250, 19060, 21612.

De Tribus Impostoribus. Anon.

L'esprit de Spinosa trad. du latin par Vroes.

In connection with this latter note, and observing the name written at end of the colophon of the manuscript from which the present edition is translated, it is probable that this same Vroese was the author of another translation.

Another remarkable copy is contained in the Library of Congress, the title page of which is displayed as follows:

TRAITÉ
DES
TROIS IMPOSTEURS
DES
RELIGIONS DOMINANTES
ET DU CULTE
d'apres l'analyse conforme à l'histoire.

CONTENANT

nombre d'observations morales, analogues à celles mises à l'ordre
du jour, pour l'affermissement de la République, sa gloire, et
l'édification des peuples de tous les pays.

ORNÉ DE TROIS GRAVURES.

À PHILADELPHIE
sous l'auspices du général WASHINGTHON
ET SE TROUVE
A PARIS chez le citoyen MERCIER, homme de lettres, rue du Cocq Honoré,
No. 120,
LONDON, at M. Miller, libryre, Boon Street,
PICCADELLY.

M.DCC.XCVI.

Note.--This edition has undoubtedly been translated from the original Latin manuscript.--A. N.

Translation. Treatise of the Three Impostors of the governing Religions and worship, after an examination conformable to history, containing a number of moral observations, analogous to those placed in the order of the day for the support of the republic, its glory, and the edification of the people of all countries. Ornamented with three engravings. At Philadelphia under the auspices of General Washington, and may be found at Paris at the house of Citizen Mercier (Claude Francois Xavier [6]), man of letters, 120 Cocq Honoré street, and at London at Mr. Miller's, bookseller, Boon street, Piccadelly, 1796.

On the following page may be found the following:

LE PEUPLE
FRANÇAIS
RECONNANT
L'ÊTRE SUPRÊME
L'IMMORTALITÉ DE L'AME
ET LA LIBERTÉ DES CULTES
---- [7]

TRAITÉ
DES
Religions Dominantes [8]

Chapter I. Concerning God, 6 paragraphs.
Chapter II. Reasons, etc., 11 paragraphs.
Chapter III. Religious, 9 paragraphs.

"Les prêtres ne sont pas ce qu'un vain peuple pense
Notre crédulité fait toute leur science."

Priests are not what vain people think,
Our credulity makes all their science.

Chapter IV. Moses, 2 paragraphs.
Chapter V. Jesus Christ, 10 paragraphs.

Paragraph 2. Politics; paragraph 6. Morals.

Chapter VI. Mahomet, 2 paragraphs.
Chapter VII. Evident Truths, 6 paragraphs.
Chapter VIII. The Soul, 7 paragraphs.