Epoch Men.

ADAM SMITH.-SCIENTIFIC POLITICS.

"The Treatise on the Law of War and Peace,' the Essay on the Human Understanding,' 'The Spirit of Laws,' and the 'Inquiry into the Causes of the Wealth of Nations,' are the works which have most directly influenced the general opinion of Europe during the two last centuries. They are also the most conspicuous landmarks in the progress of the sciences to which they relate.”—Sir James Macintosh.

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A SECOND edition of "The Theory of Moral Sentiments called for within the year. Smith spent the greater part of his summer vacation in preparing it, and in revising his college lectures, which, by this publication, he was able to condense in the third and extend considerably in the fourth parts. To this revised edition of the "Theory," Smith annexed a "Dissertation on the Origin of Languages,"-most probably a portion of the lectures on Rhetoric delivered in Edinburgh-a theoretical or conjectural account of the manner and causes to which languages may have owed their beginning and development. It is more admirably ingenious than sound. It is an attempt to show by what means, in accordance with the known principles of the human mind, the first rude efforts of man might have progressed from a less to a more symmetrical system of signs for the interpretation of human thought, until that highly complicated machinery of expression which is now used-or rather, which was in use among the ancients-acquired the perfection, effectiveness, and polish which it now displays. It was a specimen of a style of investigation to which he was prone, which his logical intellect loved to pursue, and which may, if judiciously followed, often lead to valuable results; though it may not prove that it was so, it may suffice to explain how it may have been, and so may gratify the mind at the same time that it gives a standard of reference, when congenial matters arise in the course of research, which may be employed to facilitate inquiry, and so help in the attainment of a solution of the matter under consideration. The admirers of his work on Morals were many, though his proselytes are few; and his tract on Language is far more pleasing in its manner than trustworthy in its matter.

In 1762, the Senate of the University of Glasgow, in acknowledgment of his talents, the ability of his lectures on jurisprudence, and

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the advantages which his name and fame had conferred on that institution, unanimously conferred on him the degree of LL.D. In October, 1763, Hume, then Under-Secretary of Legation in Paris, writes to inform Smith that the Baron d'Holbach (patron of the Encyclopædists, and author of a "System of Nature") had told him, there was one under his eye that was translating your 'Theory of Moral Sentiments,' and desired me to inform you of it." The translation here referred to was published, with the title "Metaphysics of the Soul," at Paris in 1764; it was executed by M. A. Eidous (1710 to 1780), a friend of Diderot's. Baron Grimm, however, says, "It met with little success in Paris."

About the close of 1763, the Right Hon. Charles Townshend's resolution ripened into action. He had married Caroline, the daughter and heiress of John, 2nd duke of Argyll and Greenwich; widow of Francis Earl of Dalkeith, who, having predeceased his father, Francis, 2nd duke of Buccleugh, left her with the care of a son, Henry, and a daughter, Frances. This Henry, born 1746, became titular Duke of Buccleugh on the demise of his grandfather in 1751. On the re-marriage of his mother, Charles Townshend became his guardian; and as he was about to make "the grand tour," for the completion of his studies by seeing life in different countries, and so becoming acquainted with the customs and languages of other lands, Charles Townshend-desirous of providing him with the most improving companionship, guardianship, and tutorage combined-offered Adam Smith most handsome terms present and prospective if he would undertake the superintendence of the young duke, his step-son, on his travels. Smith accepted the charge, and early in 1764 met the young Duke of Buccleugh in London, and set off with him, in March, to Paris. Here they remained only about a fortnight, and then proceeded to take up their residence for eighteen months in Toulouse. From Paris he forwarded to the Rector of the University of Glasgow (Dr. Leechman) a formal note of demission of his professorship.* The office was declared vacant, and in the college minutes an entry, of which the following is an extract, was made:-"The University cannot help expressing their sincere regret at the removal of Dr. Smith, whose distinguished probity and amiable qualities procured him the esteem and affection of his colleagues; and whose uncommon genius, great abilities, and extensive learning, did so much honour to this society; his elegant and ingenious Theory of Moral Sentiments' having recommended him to the esteem of men of taste and literature throughout Europe. His happy talent in illustrating abstract subjects, and faithful assiduity in communicating useful knowledge, distinguished him as a professor, and at once afforded

*We have been told, that Dr. Smith, before leaving the University, appointed an assistant, at his own expense, to read out the course of Lectures for the Session, and that he returned each student his whole fee for the year. They were unwilling to take it; but he insisted on it as a matter of conscience with him.

the greatest pleasure and the most important instruction to the youth under his care." Dr. Thomas Reid's "Inquiry into the Human Mind," published in 1764, led to his appointment to the professorship Smith left; and the retiring professor's wish, "that whoever is my successor may not only do credit to the office by his abilities, but be a comfort to the very excellent men with whom he is likely to spend his life, by the probity of his heart and the goodness of his temper," was granted.

Toulouse, at the time of Smith's residence in it, was the seat of a Parliament, with the principal members of which Smith lived on intimate terms, and so became fully acquainted with the internal policy of France, its modes and objects. On leaving the city of the Jeux Floraux, Smith and his pupil took an extensive tour through the south of France to Geneva, the capital of Switzerland. About Christmas, 1765, they returned to Paris, and remained in that city till the following October. Here, through Hume's influence, he was introduced into the selectest circles of society. Among those whose acquaintance he enjoyed may be mentioned Helvetius, author of "De l'Esprit ;" Marmontel, whose so called "Moral Tales" are so much purer in style than in matter; D'Alembert, astronomer and mathematician, author of the "Discours Préliminaire" to the Encyclopædia; Necker, the financier; Quesnay, the economist; and Turgot, his disciple, a statesman of far-seeing views; Morellet, the critic and publicist; Baron D'Holbach, author of "The System of Nature;" the Duke of Rochefoucauld, grandson of the author of the "Maxims," &c. His intimacy with these men was very close, and his friendship for some of them warm. The impression made upon Smith's mind by the Duke of Rochefoucauld's friendliness may be in some measure estimated by the fact that he omitted a severe animadversion against his grandfather's principles from the later editions of "The Theory of Moral Sentiments;" while the influence exerted by Smith on him is traceable in his intention to have translated the Scotchman's work-had he not been forestalled, and by a letter of date 1778, in which, while transmitting a new edition of the "Maxims" to his friend, he apologizes for the tenets they maintain. Turgot and Smith, we gather from Hume's correspondence, were sincere and mutual friends, though there is no extant proof of their having kept up a voluminous interchange of thoughts, as was at one time supposed.

So great was Smith's respect for Quesnay that he intended to dedicate The Wealth of Nations" to him; but the great economist died (1774) while it was passing slowly through the press. From a letter published in the Abbé Morellet's "Memoirs," we learn that Smith spoke French very ill, and that the chief topics of his conversation were banking, commerce, and finance. Smith at the same time had the entrée to and mixed freely in the salon life of Paris, in the suite of Mesdames Riccoboni (authoress of "Ernestine," &c.) and De Boufflers, and of Mademoiselle Rianecourt, so that he had every opportunity of becoming familiar with the social customs

and economics of France, and of widening his experience by the teachings of society.

Dr. Smith and the Duke of Buccleugh (who was then twenty years of age) returned to London in October, 1766, and there their connection as tutor and pupil ceased, after having been nearly three years in each other's company, "without," says the Duke, in a letter to Professor Dugald Stewart, "the slightest disagreement or coolness: on my part, with every advantage that could be expected from the society of such a man. We continued to live in friendship till the hour of his death; and I shall always remain with the impression of having lost a friend whom I loved and respected, not only for his great talents but for every private virtue." Smith shortly afterwards returned to his mother's house at Kirkcaldy, and there passed his time for nearly ten years, broken only at intervals by visits to Edinburgh and journeys to London, for the purpose of collecting authoritative information, or making references about the objects of his research. "My business here," he writes to Hume, June 7th, 1767, "is study, in which I have been very deeply engaged for about a month past. My amusements are long solitary walks by the seaside. You may judge how I spend my time. I feel myself, however, extremely happy, comfortable, and contented. I never was, perhaps, more so in all my life."

Dr. Smith had written to Hume from Toulouse on 5th July, 1764, saying:-"The life which I led at Glasgow was a pleasurable dissipated life in comparison of that which I lead here. I have begun to write a book in order to pass away the time; you may believe I have very little to do." The book here referred to, as just begun, was in all likelihood "The Wealth of Nations," and it was this same book that for years formed the serious occupation of his life. The Duke of Buccleugh, shortly before completing his majority, married, in 1767, Elizabeth, daughter of George, Duke Montague; and during the earliest weeks of their married life, Smith was an honoured guest at Dalkeith House, as we know from a letter to Hume, of date September 18th, 1767.

About the year 1766, Smith became acquainted with Franklin, and he afterwards grew deeply interested in American affairs. Morellet, on 15th May, 1769, forwarded to Hume a prospectus of "A New Dictionary of Commerce," and requested him to distribute them among his friends, naming among others Smith, Franklin, and Principal Robertson, the historian. This Hume undertook to do. It was probably through Franklin that Smith acquired the accurate and extensive information relative to America which the "Wealth of Nations" displays. Hume, from James Court, Edinburgh, where he resided after his retirement from official political life, invites Smith to visit him for a little, saying, "I want to know what you have been doing, and propose to exact a rigorous account of the method in which you have employed yourself during your retreat." Smith most likely went, and enjoyed the aid and advice of his friend. Several letters of this year (1769) to Lord Hailes

(Sir David Dalrymple, the historian and legist) give us glimpses of his pursuits:-"I should now (March 5th, 1769) be extremely obliged to your lordship if you would send me the papers you mention upon the prices of provisions in former times.

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have read law entirely with a view to form some general notion of the great outlines of the plan according to which justice has been administered in different ages and countries." A week later, he communicates his views on the prices of silver to the same learned personage. On February 6th, 1770, we find Hume writing, "What is the meaning of this, dear Smith, which we hear, that you are not to be above a day or two on your passage to London ?" From which we may infer he intended to go, and suppose that he went, to the metropolis. He was at home in January, 1772; but from Hume's letters to him, June 27th, 1772, and Nov. 23rd, 1772, we learn that he had been in London the greater part of that year. In the former, Hume communicates to Smith the news of the extraordinary state of monetary affairs for which Scotland was in that year remarkable; and in the latter he says, "Come hither for some weeks about Christmas; dissipate yourself a little; return to Kirkcaldy; finish your work before autumn; go to London; print it; return and settle in this town, which suits your studious independent turn, even better than London." We presume he took the first part of this advice; for in the spring of 1773, before setting out from Scotland for London, where he intended a longer than usual stay, he wrote the following letter to Hume:

"Edinburgh, April 16th, 1773.

“My dear Friend,—As I have left the care of all my literary papers to you, I must tell you that, except those which I carry along with me, there are none worth the publication but a few fragments of a great work, which contains a history of the astronomical systems that were successively in fashion down to the time of Des Cartes. Whether that might not be published as a fragment of an intended juvenile work, I leave to your judgment; though I begin to suspect that there is more refinement than solidity in some parts of it. This little work you will find in a thin folio paper in my back room. All the other loose papers which you will find in that desk, or within the glass folding doors of a bureau in my bedroom, together with about eighteen thin folio books, which you will likewise find within the same glass folding doors, I desire may be destroyed without any examination. Unless I die very suddenly, I shall take care that the papers I carry with me shall be sent to you. I am ever, my dear friend, most faithfully yours,

"ADAM SMITH."

Hume corresponded with him several times during 1773 and 1774. He seems to have been living chiefly in London during those years, superintending his book's passage through the press. Early in 1776, "The Wealth of Nations" was published. Hume, on the 8th February, 1776, says: "By all accounts, your book has been printed long ago; yet it has never been so much as advertised. What is the reason? If you wait till the fate of America be decided, you may wait long. By all accounts, you intend to settle with us this spring. Yet we hear no more of it. What is the reason? Your chamber in