Ctl ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND

more particularly in that chapter, where he treatsof the principles of taxation, and which is certainlyexecuted in a manner more loofe and unlatisfac-tory than the other parts of his fyftem.

It would be improper for me to conclude thisfeclion without talcing notice of the manly and dig-nified freedom with which the author uniformlydelivers his opinions, and of the fuperiority whichhe difcovers throughout, to all the little palfionsconnected with the factions of the times in whichhe wrote. Whoever takes the trouble to comparethe general tone of his compofition with theperiod of its firfl publication, cannot fail to feel

and acknowledge the force of this remark.-It is

not often that a difinterefled zeal for truth has fofoon met with its juft reward. “ Philofophers” (toufe an exprefhon of Lord Bacon ’s) “ are the fer-vants of pofterityand mod of thofe who havedevoted their talents to the beft interefts of man-kind, have been obliged, like Bacon , to “ be-queath their fame” to a race yet unborn, and toconfole themfelves with the idea of fowing whatanother generation was to reap;

Infere, Daplmi, pyros, car pent tua poma nepotes.

Mr. Smith was more fortunate ; or rather, in thisrefpe£f, his fortune was fmgular. He furvived thepublication of his work only fifteen years; and yet,