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144.: From PATRICK CLASON - Adam Smith, Glasgow Edition of the Works and Correspondence Vol. 6 Correspondence of Adam Smith [1740]

Edition used:

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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


144.

From PATRICK CLASON

  • Address: Adam Smith Esqr, Care of Mr Cadell, Bookseller in the Strand, London

MS., RSE viii. 14; unpubl.

Geneva, 25 Feb. 1775

Sir

Mr Bonnet, the natural historian, has given me a commission which I cannot execute without your assistance. He wished to send his Reche[r]ches and Palingenesie1 to Mr Hume, but was at a loss in what manner he should send them. I desired him to write to Mr Hume [ ]2 his answer.

Vous le dirai–je Monsr? plus j’y reflechis, et moins je me sens porté à ecrire à votre illustre compatriote. Je paroitrois trop rechercher son suffrage; je lui laisserois même soupçonner que je fais assez de cas de mes petits ecrits pour esperer qu’ils feroient sur lui quelqu’ impression; enfin, ce qui seroit pis encore, j’aurois l’air de tenter une conversion, et je n’ais jamais eu la manie des conversions. Je sçais bien que son coeur honnête et vertueux se plairoit à applaudir mes faibles efforts, et a la moderation que j’ai porté dans des Recherches qui n’ont malheureusement excités que trop souvent la Bile des Ecrivains. Si vous presumés que ces ouvrages puissent interesser, tant soit peu, l’illustre philosophe, je vous prie de les lui envoyer, en l’assurant du cas singulier que l’Auteur fait de son merite, de ses talens et de ses lumieres. Mais, vous n’oublieres pas, surtout de lui dire bien que l’Auteur n’a pas songé le moins du monde à rompre une Lance avec le plus fameux Athlete de notre Siecle.

Ne vous oublies pas, je vous prie, auprés du Sage de Glascow vous voyés asses que je parle de Mr Smith, dont nous souviendrons toujours avec grand plaisir.

This gentleman and his Lady have been remarkably civil to me since I came to Geneva; and I was introduced to them as your acquaintance. He is, you know, of one of the first families here and a very estimable man. His religious ideas are probably different from Mr Hume’s—mais qu’est que ça fait. I beg you to send those two books, which Mr Cadell will deliver to you free of carriage, accompanied with a letter to Mr Hume; and I wish much that he may take in good part the good intentions of Mr Bonnet. I should be glad if you or Mr Hume would write him. This would gratify him extremely.

I remain here till Lord Lumley3 join me: I know nothing of our future expeditions nor of the time fixed for our travels.

I expected before this time to have seen you ag[ain] [ ]4 Tronchin and Le Sage beg to be remembered to you.

With great respect and Esteem I [have the] honour to be

Sir Your most obedient humble Servant

Pat Clason

[1 ]The works of Charles Bonnet (1720–93) mentioned are Recherches sur l’usage des feuilles dans les plantes (1754) and Palingénésie philosophique (1769–70). For the result of Bonnet’s request, see Letter 146 addressed to Hume, dated 9 May 1775.

[2 ]Writing has faded here.

[3 ]Clason’s pupil, Hon. Richard Lumley (1757–1832), 2nd s. of the 4th Earl of Scarborough; later M.P. for Lincoln 1784–90, and well known as possessor of one of the most valuable racing studs in the kingdom.

[4 ]Writing has faded here.