This is the report which the base creature sent to the lieutenant of police (1747):-- "Diderot, a man of no profession, living, etc., is a young man who plays the free-thinker, and glories in impiety.

He is the author of several works of philosophy, in which he attacks religion.

His talk is like his books.

He is busy at the composition of one now, which is very dangerous." The priest's delation was confirmed presently by a still lower agent of authority, who, in bad grammar and bad spelling, describes "this wretch Diderot as a very dangerous man, who speaks of the holy mysteries of our religion with contempt; who corrupts manners, and who says that when he comes to the last moment of his life, he will have to do like others, will confess, and will receive what we call our God, but it will only be for the sake of his family."[83] All these things had prepared an unfriendly fate for Diderot when his time at last came, as it came to most of his friends.

For a month he was cut off from the outer world.