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      So much has already been written for
and against the reprinting of books, and
this subject has been treated so exhaustively
that there is almost nothing more that one
could say about it. But I, as a matter of fact,
haven't read anything about it yet; I haven't
been able yet to compare the various opinions
which have been expressed about it, nor to
draw a conclusion from the works that have
appeared so far which either condemn reprinting
or defend it. Thus, what I have to say about
this subject represents not the thoughts of
others, but my very own views, and since I am
firmly convinced of the beneficial effect which
reprinting has with regard to the public as a
whole, I am quite prepared to venture to boldly
defend it.
      There is no doubt that the greater or lesser
extent to which enlightenment makes progress in
the spheres of religion, the arts and sciences,
philology, history, agriculture, and indeed in all
other fields and specialities affected by it,
depends solely and entirely on the more or