282 ADAM SMITH. 



people than at their own, hence the complaint of the keepers 

 of the hostellaries, and the order thereupon in Act 56. 



" I cannot conclude this letter, though already too long, 

 without expressing to your Lordship my concern, and, still 

 more, my indignation at what has lately passed both at 

 London and at Edinburgh. I have often thought that the 

 Supreme Court of the United Kingdom very much re- 

 sembled a jury. The law Lords generally take upon them 

 to sum up the evidence, and to explain the law to the other 

 peers, who generally follow their opinion implicitly. Of the 

 two law Lords who upon this occasion instructed them, the 

 one has always run after the applause of the mob ; the other, 

 by far the most intelligent, has always shown the greatest 

 dread of popular odium, which, however, he has not been 

 able to avoid. His inclinations also have always been sus- 

 pected to favour one of the parties. He has upon this 

 occasion, I suspect, followed rather his fears and his in- 

 clinations than his judgment. I could say a great deal 

 more upon this subject to your Lordship, but I am afraid I 

 have already said too much. I would rather, for my own 

 part, have the solid reputation of your most respectable 

 President, though exposed to the insults of a brutal mob, 

 than all the vain and flimsy applause that has ever yet been 

 bestowed upon either or both the other two. I have the 

 honour to be, with the highest esteem and regard, 



"My Lord, 

 " Your Lordship's most obliged 



and obedient servant, 

 (Signed) "ADAM SMITH." 



Another letter, dated a week later, gives what is evidently 

 the beginning of his speculations on the price of silver, and 

 adds as to the Douglas Cause 



" If the rejoicings which I read of in the public papers in 

 different places on account of the Douglas Cause had no 

 more foundation than those which were said to have been in 

 this place, there has been very little joy upon the occasion. 

 There was here no sort of rejoicing of any kind, unless four 

 schoolboys having set up three candles upon the trone, by 

 way of an illumination, is to be considered as such." 



