national representation. This book was written by the author in the beginning of the year '93 (old styl e). I undert ook its translat ion before the r evolution against priests, a nd it was publi shed in French about the same time. Couthon, to whom I sent it, seemed offended with me for having translated this work." Under the frown of Couthon, one of the most atrocious colleagues of Robespierre, this early publication seems to have been so effectually suppressed that no copy bearing that date, 1793, can be found in France or elsewhere. In Paine's letter to Samuel Adams, printed in t he present v olume, he say s that he had i t translated into French, to stay the progress of atheism, and that he endangered his life "by opposing atheism." The time indicated by Lanthenas as that in which he submitted the work to Couthon would appear to be the latter pa rt of March, 1 793, the fu ry against th e priesthood having reached its climax in the decrees against them of March 19 and 26. If the moral deformity of Couthon, even greater than that of his body, be remembered, and the readiness with which death was inflicted for the most theoretical opinion not approved by the "Mountain," it will appear probable that the offence given Couthon by Paine's b ook involv ed danger to him and h is translator . On May 31, when the Girondins were accused, the name of Lanthenas was included, and he barely escaped; and on the same day Danton persuaded Paine not to ap pear in the C onvention , as his life might be in dange r . Whe ther this was bec ause of the "A ge of Reaso n,"

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