him, and should be glad to express my sense of it in
every way in my power.

I would not make any alteration in my title-page on account
of my new office.

Remember me to Mrs. and Miss Strahan, likewise to the Homes
and the Hunters. How does the Painter go on? I hope he
thrives.--I ever am, my dear sir, most faithfully and
affectionately yours,

ADAM SMITH.

KIRKALDY, _14th January 1777_.[282]

The Mr. Spottiswood mentioned in this letter was a nephew of Strahan,
and no doubt an ancestor of Strahan's present successor in his
printing business. The Hunters are John and William Hunter, the Homes
are John Home and his wife, and the painter is Allan Ramsay.

In the course of a fortnight the Commission arrived, and Smith then
wrote Strahan again:--

EDINBURGH, _5th February 1778_.

MY DEAR STRAHAN--I received the Commission in due course,
and have now to thank you for your great attention to my
interest in every respect, but above all, for your
generosity in so readily forgiving the sally of bad humour
which, in consequence of General Skeenes, who meant too very
well, most unreasonably broke out upon you. I can only say
in my own vindication that I am not very subject to such
sallies, and that upon the very few occasions on which I
have happened to fall into them, I have soon recovered from
them. I am told that no commission ever came so soon to
Edinburgh, many having been delayed 3 weeks or a month after
appearing in the Gazette. This extraordinary despatch I can
impute to nothing but your friendly diligence and that of
Mr. Spottiswood, to whom I beg to be remembered in the most
respectful manner.

You have made a small mistake in stating our account. You
credit me with L150 only, instead of L170; the first bill
for L120, the second for L50. Cadell, however, still remains
unpaid. As soon as I understand he has delivered the books,
or before it, if he will send me the account of them, I
shall send him the money.--I ever am, dear sir, most
faithfully yours,

ADAM SMITH.[283]

What was the cause of Smith's outbreak of very unhabitual irritation
with Strahan on the occasion alluded to in this letter, I cannot say,
nor probably does it in the least matter. His temper, indeed, was one
of unusual serenity and constancy, and but for his own confession