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Correspondence of Adam Smith, ed. E. C. Mossner and I. S. Ross, vol. VI of the Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1987).

Part of: The Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence of Adam Smith, 7 vols.

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73.

From DAVID HUME

Address: To Mr Professor Smith at Glasgow

MS., RSE ii. 33; HL i. 391–2.

Edinburgh, 9 Aug. 1763

My dear Friend

I have got an Invitation, accompany’d with great Prospects and Expectations, from Lord Hartford,1 if I woud accompany him, tho’ at first without any Character, in his Embassy to Paris. I hesitated much on the Acceptance of this Offer, tho’ in Appearance very inviting; and I thought it ridiculous, at my Years, to be entering on a new Scene, and to put myself in the Lists as a Candidate of Fortune. But I reflected, that I had in a manner abjur’d all literary Occupations, that I resolvd to give up my future Life entirely to Amusements, that there could not be a better Pastime than such a Journey, especially with a Man of Lord Hertford’s Character, and that it wou’d be easy to prevent my Acceptance from having the least Appearance of Dependance: For these Reasons, and by the Advice of every Friend, whom I consulted, I at last agreed to accompany his Lordship, and I set out to morrow for London. I am a little hurry’d in my Preparations: But I coud not depart without bidding you Adieu, my good Friend, and without acquainting you with the Reasons of so sudden a Movement. I have not great Expectations of revisiting this Country soon; but I hope it will not be impossible but we may meet abroad, which will be a great Satisfaction to me. I am dear Smith

Yours most sincerely

David Hume

[1 ]Francis Seymour Conway (1718–94), 2nd Baron Conway; cr. Earl of Hertford 1750, and Marquis 1793; Ambassador to France 1763–5; Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 1765–6; Master of the Horse 1766; Lord Chamberlain 1766–82. He was Sir Robert Walpole’s nephew and Horace Walpole’s cousin.

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73.: From DAVID HUME - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 6 Correspondence of Adam Smith [1740]

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