Their murderous work done, they sent the pages to the press, and to make the mischief beyond remedy, they committed all the original manuscripts and proof-sheets to the flames.

One day, when the printing was nearly completed (1764), Diderot having occasion to consult an article under the letter S, found it entirely spoiled.

He stood confounded.

An instant's thought revealed the printer's atrocity.

He eagerly turned to the articles on which he and his subordinates had taken most pains, and found everywhere the same ravages and disorder.