By an effect of the desire I have ever felt to unite
everything that is dear to me, I was too much a friend to both not
to make them shortly become so to each other. I connected them: they
agreed well together, and shortly became more intimate with each other
than with me. Diderot had a numerous acquaintance, but Grimm, a
stranger and a new-comer, had his to procure, and with the greatest
pleasure I procured him all I could. I had already given him
Diderot. I afterwards brought him acquainted with Gauffecourt. I
introduced him to Madam Chenonceaux, Madam D'Epinay, and the Baron
d'Holbach; with whom I had become connected almost in spite of myself.
All my friends became his: this was natural: but not one of his ever
became mine; which was inclining to the contrary. Whilst he yet lodged
at the house of the Comte de Friese, he frequently gave us dinners
in his apartment, but I never received the least mark of friendship
from the Comte de Friese, Comte de Schomberg, his relation, very
familiar with Grimm, nor from any other person, man or woman, with
whom Grimm, by their means, had any connection. I except the Abbe
Raynal, who, although his friend, gave proofs of his being mine;
and, in cases of need, offered me his purse with a generosity not very
common. But I knew the Abbe Raynal long before Grimm had any
acquaintance with him, and had entertained a great regard for him on
account of his delicate and honorable behavior to me upon a slight
occasion, which I shall never forget.
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