By the cares of M.Boy de la Tour, to whom I was recommended by M.Roquin, his uncle, it was proved from the registers of the customs of Lyons and Marseilles, that the said bale weighed no more than forty-five pounds, and had paid carriage according to that weight.
I joined this authentic extract to the memoir of M, de Montaigu, and provided with these papers and others containing stronger facts, I returned to Paris, very impatient to make use of them.

During the whole of this long journey I had little adventures; at Como, in Valais, and elsewhere.

I there saw many curious things, amongst others the Boroma islands, which are worthy of being described.

But I am pressed by time, and surrounded by spies.

I am obliged to write in haste, and very imperfectly, a work which requires the leisure and tranquility I do not enjoy.