WRITINGS OF DR. SMITH.

XC1X

plagiarifms which, however cruel in their effefls,do not neceffarily imply bad faith in those whoare guilty of them ; for the bulk of mankind, in-capable themselves of original thought , are per-fectly unable to form a conception of the natureof the injury done to a man of inventive genius ,by encroaching on a favorite speculation. Forreasons known to some members of this Society,it would be improper, by the publication of thismanuscript, to revive the memory of private dif-ferences ; and I fhould not have even alludedto it, if I did noth think it a valuable document ofthe progress of Mr. Smith’s political ideas at avery early period. Many of the moft importantopinions in The Wealth of Nations are there detai-led ; but T fiiall quote only the following sentences :

“ Man is generally considered by flatefmen“ and projedors as the materials of a fort of poli-“ tical mechanics. Projectors difturb nature inthe“ course of her operations in human affairs ; and“ it requires no more than to let her alone, and“ give her fair play in the pursuit of her ends,“ that fhe may eftablilh her own defigns.” — Andin another passage : “ Little elfe is requisite to car-“ ry a ftate to the higheft degree of opulence from“ the loweff barbarism , but peace, easy taxes," and a tolerable administration of justice; all the“ reft being brought about by the natural course“ of things. All governments which thwart this