a 
APPENDIX. 127 
SECTION V. 
Conclufion of the Narrative. 
BOUT two years after the publication of “ the Wealth 
of Nations,’? Mr Smiru was appointed one of the Com- 
miffioners of his Majefty’s Cuftoms in Scotland ; a preferment 
which, in his eftimation, derived an additional value from its 
being beftowed on him at the requeft of the Duke of Buc- 
cLEuGH. The greater part of thefe two ‘years he paffed at 
London, in a fociety too extenfive and varied to afford him any 
opportunity of indulging his tafte for ftudy. His time, how- 
ever, was not loft to himfelf; for much of it was fpent with 
fome of the firft names in Englith literature. Of thefe no uns 
favourable fpecimen is preferved by Dr BARNARD, in his well 
known “ Verfes, addrefled to Sir Joshua REYNOLDs and his 
friends.” 
If I have thoughts, and can’t exprefs ’em, 
G1Bz0N fhall teach me how to drefs ’em 
In words fele& and terfe : 
Jones teach me modefty and Greek, 
Situ how to think, Burke how to fpeak, 
And BEAucLERc:to converfe *, 
In confequence of Mr Smitn’s appointment to the Board of 
Cuftoms, he removed, in 1778, to Edinburgh, where he fpent 
the laft twelve years of his life; enjoying an affluence which 
was more than equal to all his wants ; and, what was to him 
of ftill greater value, the profpect of pafling the remainder of 
his days among the companions of his youth. 
His mother, who, though now in extreme old age, {till pof- 
feffed a confiderable degree of health, and retained all her fa- 
culties unimpaired, accompanied him to town ; and his coufin 
Mifs 
* See Annual Regifter for the year 1776. 
Account of 
Dr Smith, 
