XII

ACCOUNT OF THE I I FK AND

which, being fufceptible of precife and accuraterules, is for that reafon capable of a full and par-ticular explanation.

“ Upon this fubjeft he followed the plan thatfeems to be fuggefted by Montesquieu ; endea-vouring to trace the gradual progrefs of jurifpru-dence, both public and private, from the rudeftto the moft refined ages, and to point out theeffefls ofthofe arts which contribute to fubfiftence,and to the accumulation of property, in produ-cing correfpondent improvements or alterations inlaw and government. This important branch ofhis labors he alfo intended to give to the public;but this intention, which is mentioned in the con-clufion of the Theory of Moral Sentiments, he didnot live to fulfil.

“ In the laft part of his leftures, he examinedthofe political regulations which are founded, notupon the principle of jujlice , but that of expediency ,and which are calculated to increafe the riches,the power, and the profperity of a State. Underthis view, he conudered the political inftitutionsrelating to commerce, to finances, to ecclefiafticaland military eftablillnnents. What he deliveredon thefe fubje&s contained the fubftance of thework he.afterwards publiflied under the title ofAn Inquiry into the Nature and Caufes of theWealth of Nations.