I sketched out the first sheet, and this brought me acquainted with D'Alembert, to whom Diderot had mentioned it.

Unforeseen events frustrated our intention, and the project was carried no further.
These two authors had just undertaken the 'Dictionnaire Encyclopedique', which at first was intended to be nothing more than a kind of translation of Chambers, something like that of the Medical Dictionary of James, which Diderot had just finished.

Diderot was desirous I should do something in this second undertaking, and proposed to me the musical part, which I accepted.

This I executed in great haste, and consequently very ill, in the three months he had given me, as well as all the authors who were engaged in the work.

But I was the only person in readiness at the time prescribed.