Attribution to Grecourt

Oeuvres Diverses de Monsieur de Grécourt, avec le Supplément, Nouvelle Édition, Amsterdam: Arkstée & Merkus, 1788.

A near identical version of the manuscript titled 

Vers adressés à M.L. Duc d’Aremberg de Bruxelles pour mettre à la tête de la nouvelle édition des Œuvres de Rousseau. (Verses addressed to His Lordship the Duke d’Aremberg of Brussels to preface the new edition of Rousseau’s Works.) Par J.L. Poil

the printed version only start with “Vers pour mettre au commencement de l’édition de Rousseau, imprimée en Hollande.
(Verses to be placed at the beginning of the edition of Rousseau, printed in Holland.).”

This indicates that “J. L. Poil” is the “nom de plume” used by the scribe, leaving no doubt that the manuscript is from Grecourt himself. 

 


The manuscript is addressed specifically to M. le Duc d’Aremberg in Brussels, introducing the verses as a response to his request for an epistle to include in a new edition of Rousseau’s works. The printed version generalizes the context by removing the dedication and presenting the poem under the title “Vers pour mettre au commencement de l’édition de Rousseau, imprimée en Hollande.” Additionally, the printed version extends the text significantly, adding stanzas that elaborate on Rousseau’s virtue, independence, and resilience against slander, which are absent in the manuscript. Despite these changes, both versions maintain the central theme of celebrating Rousseau’s genius and defending him against unjust criticism. The differences suggest the printed version was adapted for a broader audience, while the manuscript retains a more personal and specific context.