[3] Aimé Martin.
[4] In the appendix to vol. vi. of the Causeries du lundi.
[5] Three vols. in 8vo., edited by Aimé Martin, Paris, 1826, Ladvocat.
[6] Voyage to the Isle of France.
[7] The papers of Bernardin de Saint-Pierre are in the possession of the family Aimé Martin. M. Aimé Martin had beside him, when he was writing Bernardin's biography, the numerous notes taken by the latter from nature.
[8] Villemain, The Literature of the Eighteenth Century.
CHAPTER II. Period of uncertainty—Voyage to the Isle of France—Acquaintance with J. J. Rousseau—The Crisis.
He felt about for some time longer before finally taking up the pen. In vain his friend Hennin urged him: "Above all, do not keep saying as you have done hitherto, 'I will write, I will publish;' write, publish, and leave it to your friends to make your work a success." Bernardin de Saint-Pierre hesitated: "I am occupying myself," he replied, "in putting in order the journal of my travels; not that I wish to become an author, that is too distasteful a career and leads to nothing, but I imitate those who learn to draw in order to adorn their rooms." (Letter of the 29th of December, 1771). He speaks to him in the same letter of getting the Government to give him a mission to the Indies, so that he may be able to regale the ministers with a few more memorials on politics or strategy.