Sidoine-Charles-François Séguier, marquis de Saint-Brisson

This chapter highlights Jean-Jacques Rousseau's letter to Sidoine-Charles-François Séguier, marquis de Saint-Brisson, on November 13, 1763. In this letter, Rousseau critiques Idylls , which he describes as an imitation; he feels that “the author is trying hard to depict the morals of a time that is not his own.” He then claims that “pastoral philosophy ought to be entirely in sentiments or images; yours is in reflections, in maxims; you discuss principles.” Rousseau also tells the marquis de Saint-Brisson that he is mistaken in thinking that he has mended Ariste's metaphysics or has conveyed Memnon. Finally, he talks about the uneven style of Idylls , saying that “there is more material than is needed for making two good works, and yet it does not make one good one.”