288 ADAM SMITH. 



had lately together, particularly that concerning your want 

 of an excuse to make to Charon, the excuse you at last 

 thought of, and the very bad reception which Charon was 

 likely to give it, would, I imagine, make no disagreeable 

 part of the history. You have in a declining state of health, 

 under an exhausting disease, for more than two years to- 

 gether, now looked at the approach, or what you at least 

 believed to be the approach of Death with a steady cheer- 

 fulness such as very few men have been able to maintain 

 for a few hours, though otherwise in the most perfect health. 

 I shall likewise, if you will give me leave, correct the sheets 

 of the new edition of your Works, and shall take care that 

 it shall be published exactly according to your late cor- 

 rections. As I shall be at London this winter it will cost 

 me very little trouble. All this I have written upon the 

 supposition that the event of your disease should prove dif- 

 ferent from what I 'still hope it may do. For your spirits 

 are so good, the spirit of life is still so very strong in you, 

 and the progress of your disorder is so slow and gradual, 

 that I still hope it may take a turn. Even the cool and 

 steady Dr. Black, by a letter I received from him last week, 

 seems not to be averse to the same hopes. 



" I hope I need not repeat to you, that I am ready to wait 

 on you whenever you wish to see me. Whenever you do so, 

 I hope you will not scruple to call on me. I beg to be re- 

 membered in the kindest and most respectful manner to your 

 Brother, ycur Sister, your Nephew, and all other Friends. 

 " I ever am, 



" My dearest friend, 



" Most affectionately yours, 



" ADAM SMITH." 



To JOHN HOME, OF NINEWELLS. 



" DEAR SIB, DALKEITH HOUSE, August 31st, 1776. 



" As the Duke proposes to stay here till Thursday next, 

 I may not have an opportunity of seeing you before you 

 return to Ninewells ; I, therefore, take this opportunity of 

 discharging you, and all others concerned, of the legacy 

 which you was so good as to think might, upon a certain 

 event, become due to me by your brother's will, but which, 



