An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Adam Smith
on a visit, by some tinkers, or gypsies. He was rescued in Leslie wood by his uncle, who was thus the happy instrument, Mr. Stewart observes, of preserving to the world, a genius, which was destined, not only to extend the boundaries of science, but to enlighten and reform the commercial policy of Europe.
2
Boswell's Life of Johnson, vol. iv. p. 17
3
Edinburgh Review, vol. i. p. 432.
4
It may not be uninteresting to mention what has been said of the manner in which the writings of Mr. Smith were composed. – 'Mr. Smith observed to me, not long before his death,' says Mr. Stewart, 'that after all his practice in writing, he composed as slowly, and with as great difficulty as at first.' He added, at the same time, that Mr. Hume had acquired so great a facility in this respect, that the last volume of his History was printed from the original copy, with a few marginal corrections. Mr. Smith, when be was employed in composition, generally walked up and down his apartment, dictating to a secretary. All Mr. Hume's works, it has been said, were written with his own hand.
5
This observation, as may easily be perceived, cannot apply in certain indirect imposts, such as those for the support of the roads; which, as they cannot be confounded with the price of any consumable commodity, combine all the inconveniencies of indirect, with those of direct imposts.
6
Plin. Hist. Nat. lib. 33, cap. 3.
7
Pliny, lib. xxxiii. cap. 3.
8
This was written in 1773, before the commencement of the late disturbances.
9
See his scheme for the maintenance of the poor, in Burn's History of the Poor Laws.
10
See Denisart, Article Taux des Interests, tom. iii, p. 18.
11
See Idyllium xxi.
12
See Madox Firma Burgi p. 26 &c.
13
See the Statute of Labourers, 25, Ed. III.
14
Voyages d'un Philosophe.
15
Douglas's Summary, vol. ii, p. 372, 373.
16
See his Preface to Anderson's Diplomata Scotiæ.
17
Lowndes's Essay on the Silver Coin, 68.