e Duke, and to have waited on him and been introduced to him at his
levee.

Then there was the affair of Hume's candidature for the Logic chair,
contingent on Smith's appointment to the other. There was the affair
of the Principal's possible retirement, with, no doubt, some plan in
reserve for the reversion, probably in favour of Professor Leechman,
mentioned in the previous letter, who did in the event succeed to it.
Then there was Cullen's "own affair," which Smith was promoting in
Edinburgh through Lord Kames (then Mr. Home), and which probably
concerned a method of purifying salt Cullen had then invented, and
wanted to secure a premium for. At any rate, Lord Kames did speak to
the Duke of Argyle on this subject in Cullen's behalf a few months
later.

While immersed in this multiplicity of affairs Smith wrote Cullen the
following letter:--[28]

EDIN., _Tuesday, November 1751_.

DEAR SIR--I did not write to you on Saturday as I promised,
because I was every moment expecting Mr. Home to town. He is
not, however, yet come.

I should prefer David Hume to any man for the College, but I
am afraid the public would not be of my opinion, and the
interest of the society will oblige us to have some regard
to the opinion of the public. If the event, however, we are
afraid of should happen we can see how the public receives
it. From the particular knowledge I have of Mr. Elliot's
sentiments, I am pretty certain Mr. Lindsay must have
proposed it to him, not he to Mr. Lindsay. I am ever obliged
to you for your concern for my interest in that affair.

When I saw you at Edinburgh you talked to me of the
Principal's proposing to retire. I gave little attention to
it at that time, but upon further consideration should be
glad to listen to any proposal of that kind. The reasons of
my changing my opinion I shall tell you at meeting. I need
not recommend secrecy to you upon this head. Be so good as
to thank the Principal in my name for his kindness in
mentioning me to the Duke. I waited on him at his levee at
Edinburgh, when I was introduced to him by Mr. Lind, but it
seems he had forgot.

I can tell you nothing particular about your own affair more
than what I wrote you last till I see Mr. Home, whom I
expect every moment.--I am, most dear sir, ever yours,

A. SMITH.

The event they were afr