r paid Smith a visit in Glasgow, though
he had often promised to do so, but Smith in his runs to Edinburgh
spent always more and more of his time with Hume, and latterly at any
rate made Hume's house his regular Edinburgh home.

In 1752 Hume had already taken Smith as one of his literary
counsellors, and consulted him about the new edition of his _Essays,
Moral and Political_, and his historical projects, and I may be
permitted here and afterwards to quote parts of Hume's letters which
throw any light on Smith's opinions or movements.

On the 24th of September 1752 he writes--

DEAR SIR--I confess I was once of the same opinion with you,
and thought that the best period to begin an English History
was about Henry the Seventh, but you will please to observe
that the change which then happened in public affairs was
very insensible, and did not display its influence for many
years afterwards.... I am just now diverted for the moment
by correcting my _Essays, Moral and Political_ for a new
edition. If anything occur to you to be inserted or
retrenched, I shall be obliged if you offer the hint. In
case you should not have the last edition by you I shall
send you a copy of it.... I had almost lost your letter by
its being wrong directed. I received it late, which was the
reason you got not sooner a copy of _Joannes Magnus_.[78]

On the 17th of December 1754 Hume gives Smith an account of his
quarrel with the Faculty of Advocates, and his resolution to stay as
librarian after all, for the sake of the use of the books, which he
cannot do without, but to give Blacklock, the blind poet, a bond of
annuity for the salary. Three weeks later he writes again, and as the
letter mentions Smith's views on some historical subjects, it may be
quoted:--

EDINBURGH, _9th January 1755_.

DEAR SIR--I beg you to make my compliments to the Society,
and to take the fault on yourself if I have not executed my
duty, and sent them this time my anniversary paper. Had I
got a week's warning I should have been able to have
supplied them. I should willingly have sent some sheets of
the History of the Commonwealth or Protectorship, but they
are all of them out of my hand at present, and I have not
been able to recall them.[79] I think you are extremely in
the right that the Parliament's bigotry has nothing in
common with Hiero'