ith another title, and was at first
little more successful. The following letter to Des Maiseaux, which I
believe is now first published, gives us the feelings of the youthful
and modest philosopher:--

"DAVID HUME TO DES MAISEAUX.

"SIR,--Whenever you see my name, you'll readily imagine the
subject of my letter. A young author can scarce forbear
speaking of his performance to all the world; but when he
meets with one that is a good judge, and whose instruction and
advice he depends on, there ought some indulgence to be given
him. You were so good as to promise me, that if you could find
leisure from your other occupations, you would look over my
system of philosophy, and at the same time ask the opinion of
such of your acquaintance as you thought proper judges. Have you
found it sufficiently intelligible? Does it appear true to you?
Do the style and language seem tolerable? These three questions
comprehend everything; and I beg of you to answer them with the
utmost freedom and sincerity. I know 'tis a custom to flatter
poets on their performances, but I hope philosophers may be
exempted; and the more so that their cases are by no means alike.
When we do not approve of anything in a poet we commonly can give
no reason for our dislikes but our particular taste; which not
being convincing, we think it better to conceal our sentiments
altogether. But every error in philosophy can be distinctly
markt and proved to be such; and this is a favour I flatter
myself you'll indulge me in with regard to the performance I put
into your hands. I am, indeed, afraid that it would be too great
a trouble for you to mark all the errors you have observed; I
shall only insist upon being informed of the most material of
them, and you may assure yourself will consider it as a singular
favour. I am, with great esteem

"Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,
"_Aprile 6, 1739._
"DAVID HUME.

"Please direct to me at Ninewells, near Berwick-upon-Tweed."

Hume's own favourite "Inquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals"
came unnoticed and unobserved in the world. When he published the
first portion of his "History," which made even Hume himself sanguine
in his expectations, he tells his own tale:--

"I thought that I was the only historian that had at once neglected
present power, interest, and authority, and the cry of popular
prejudices; and, as the sub