conjectured. A few days before
Smith received this letter from Hume he had received likewise the
following letter from Charles Townshend, intimating that the time had
now come for the Duke of Buccleugh to go abroad, and renewing to Smith
the offer of the post of travelling tutor to his Grace:--

Dear Sir--The time now drawing near when the Duke of
Buccleugh intends to go abroad, I take the liberty of
renewing the subject to you: that if you should still have
the same disposition to travel with Him I may have the
satisfaction of informing Lady Dalkeith and His Grace of it,
and of congratulating them upon an event which I know that
they, as well as myself, have so much at heart. The Duke is
now at Eton: He will remain there until Christmass. He will
then spend some short time in London, that he may be
presented at Court, and not pass instantaneously from school
to a foreign country; but it were to be wished He should not
be long in Town, exposed to the habits and companions of
London, before his mind has been more formed and better
guarded by education and experience.

I do not enter at this moment upon the subject of
establishment, because if you have no objection to the
situation, I know we cannot differ about the terms. On the
contrary, you will find me more sollicitous than yourself to
make the connection with Buccleugh as satisfactory and
advantageous to you as I am persuaded it will be essentially
beneficial to him.

The Duke of Buccleugh has lately made great progress both in
his knowledge of ancient languages and in his general taste
for composition. With these improvements his amusement from
reading and his love of instruction have naturally
increased. He has sufficient talents: a very manly temper,
and an integrity of heart and reverence for truth, which in
a person of his rank and fortune are the firmest foundation
of weight in life and uniform greatness. If it should be
agreeable to you to finish his education, and mould these
excellent materials into a settled character, I make no
doubt but he will return to his family and country the very
man our fondest hopes have fancied him.

I go to Town next Friday, and should be obliged to you for
your answer to this letter.--I am, with sincere affection
and esteem, dear sir, your most