cx

ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND

the beginning of the preceding winter; and theauthor lived to fee the publication of the work.The moral and ferious ftrain that prevails throughthefe additions, when connected with the circum-fiance of his declining health, adds a peculiar charmto his pathetic eloquence, and communicates anewintereft, if poffihle, to thofe fublime truths, which,in the academical retirement of his youth, awaken-ed the firft ardors of his genius, and on which thelaft efforts of his mind repofed.

that Mr. Smith regretted, “ he had done fo little.” K But Imeant (laid he) to have done more; and there are materials inmy papers , of which I could have made a great deal. But thatis now out of the queftion.”

That the idea of deftroying fuch unfinished works as mightbe in his polfeffion at the time of his death, Was not the effettof any hidden or hafty refolution, appears from the followingletter to Mr. Hume, written by Mr. Smith in 1773, at a timewhen he was preparing himfelf for a journey to London , Withthe profpett of a pretty long abfence from Scotland .

My HEAR Friend, Edinburgh , 16 th April 1773.

As I have left the care of all my literary papers to you, 1nuii’t tell you, that except thole which 1 carry along with me,there are none worth the publication, but a fragment of a greatwork , Which contains a hiftory of the aftronomical fyftems thatwere fucccflively in fashion down to the time of Des Cartes .Whether that might not be published as a fragment of an in-tended juvenile work, I leave entirely to your judgment, thoughI begin to fufpeft myfelf that there is more refinement thanfolidity in l'ome parts of it. This little work you will find in a