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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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136.

From DAVID HUME

Address: To Adam Smith Esqr Kirkaldy

MS., RSE ii. 53; HL ii. 280–1.

St. Andrews Square, 10 Apr. 1773.

To day News arriv’d in town that the Air Bank had shut up; and as many people think for ever.1 I hear that the Duke of Bucleugh is on the Road: The Country will be in prodigious distress for Money this term. Sir G. Colebroke’s Bankruptcy is thought to be the immediate Cause of this Event.

Have you seen Macpherson’s Homer?2 It is hard to tell whether the Attempt or the Execution be worse. I hear he is employd by the Booksellers to continue my History: But in my Opinion, of all men of Parts, he has the most anti–historical Head in the Universe.

Have you seen Sir John Dalrymple?3 It is strange what a Rage is against him, on account of the most commendable Action in his Life.4 His Collection is curious but introduces no new Light into the civil, whatever it may, into the biographical and anecdotical History of the times.

Have you seen Alonzo?5 Very slovenly Versification, some pathetic, but too much resembling Douglas.

I expect to see you soon. Have you been busy, and whether in pulling down or building up?

D. H.

[1 ]See Letter 131 from Hume, dated 27 June 1772.

[2 ]James Macpherson’s translation of the Iliad into Ossianic prose appeared early in 1773; his History of Great Britain, from the Restoration to the accession of the House of Hanover was published by Strahan and Cadell in 1775.

[3 ]Sir John Dalrymple of Cranstoun.

[4 ]His Memoirs of Great Britain enraged the Whigs.

[5 ]Another of John Home’s tragedies, produced at Drury Lane this year.

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