WRITINGS OF DR. SMITH. V

“ civilibus doftrinis addendam & afpergendam

“ fufficeret” The ftudy of human nature in allits branches, more particularly of the political hif-tory o mankind, opened a boundlefs field to hiscuriofity and ambition; and while it afforded fcopeto all the various powers of his verfatile and com-prehenfive genius, gratified his ruling paffion, ofcontributing to the happinefs and the improve-ment of fociety. To this ftudy, diverlified at hisleifure hours by the lefs fevere occupations of po-lite literature, he feems to have devoted himfelfalmoft entirely from the time' of his removal toOxford; but he ftill retained, and retained evenin advanced years, a recollection of his early ac-quifitions, which not only added to the fplendorof his converfation, but enabled him to exemplifyfome of his favorite theories concerning the na-tural progrefs of the mind in the inveftigation oftruth, by the hiftory of thofe fciences in which theconnexion and fucceffion of difcoveries may betraced with the greateft advantage. If I am notmiftaken too, the influence of his early tafte forthe Greek geometry may be remarked in the ele-mentary clearnefs and fulnefs, bordering fome-times upon prolixity, with which he frequently Ra-tes his political reafonings. —• The le&ures of theprofound and eloquent Dr. Hutcheson , whichhe had attended previous to his departure from

* Redargutio Philofophiarum.