Vincennes is two leagues from Paris.

The state of my finances not permitting me to pay for hackney coaches, at two o'clock in the afternoon, I went on foot, when alone, and walked as fast as possible, that I might arrive the sooner.

The trees by the side of the road, always lopped, according to the custom of the country, afforded but little shade, and exhausted by fatigue, I frequently threw myself on the ground, being unable to proceed any further.

I thought a book in my hand might make me moderate my pace.
One day I took the Mercure de France, and as I walked and read, I came to the following question proposed by the academy of Dijon, for the premium of the ensuing year, 'Has the progress of sciences and arts contributed to corrupt or purify morals ?' The moment I had read this, I seemed to behold another world, and became a different man.

Although I have a lively remembrance of the impression it made upon me, the detail has escaped my mind, since I communicated it to M.de Malesherbes in one of my four letters to him.