WRITINGS OF DR. SMITH.

LXXXV

inftitutions, the order offociety, according to fomepreconceived idea of expediency; without truft-ing fufficiently to thofe principles of the humanconftitution, which, wherever they are allowedfree fcope, not only conduct mankind to happi-nefs, but lay the foundation of a progreffive im-provement in their condition and in their character.The advantages which modern policy poffeffes overthe ancient, arife principally from its conformity,in fome of the moil important articles of politicaloeconomy, to an order of things recommended bynature; and it would not be difficult to ffiow,that where it remains imperfeft, its errors may betraced to the reftraints it impofes on the naturalcourfe of human affairs. Indeed, in thefe re-ftraints may be difcovered the latent feeds of manyof the prejudices and follies which infeft modernmanners, and which have fo long bid defiance tothe reafonings of the philofopher and the ridiculeof the fatirift,

The foregoing very imperfect hints appeared tome to form, not only a proper, but in fome meafure a neceffary introduction to the few remarkI have to offer on Mr. Smith’s Inquiry; as theytend to illuftrate a connexion between his fyftemof commercial politics, and thofe fpeculations ofhis earlier years, in which he aimed more profef-fedly at the advancement of human improvementand happinefs. It is this view of political ceco-