ADAM SMITH. 289 



I think, would upon no event become so, viz., the legacy of 

 two hundred pounds sterling. I hereby therefore discharge 

 it for ever ; and least this discharge should be lost, I shall 

 be careful to mention it in a note at the bottom of my will. 

 I shall be glad to hear that you have received this letter, 

 and hope you will believe me to be, both on your brother's 

 account and your own, with great truth, most "affectionately, 



" Yours, 



" ADAM SMITH. 



" P.S. I do not hereby mean to discharge the other 

 legacy, viz., that of a copy of his works." 



SIR, EDINBURGH, September 2nd, 1776. 



" I was favoured with your's of Saturday, and I assure 

 you that, on perusing the destinations, I was more of 

 opinion than when 1 saw you, that the pecuniary part of it 

 was not altered by the codicil, and that it was intended for 

 you at all events ; that my brother knowing your liberal 

 way of thinking, laid on you something as an equivalent, 

 not imagining you would refuse a small gratuity from the 

 funds it was to come from, as a testimony of his friendship ; 

 'and though I must highly esteem the motives and manner, 

 I cannot agree to accept of your renunciation, but leave 

 you full master to dispose of it which way is most agree- 

 able to you. 



" The copys of the Dialogues are finished, and of the 

 Life, and will be sent to Mr. Strahan to-morrow ; and I 

 will mention to him your intention of adding to the last 

 something to finish so valuable a life, and will leave you at 

 Liberty to look into the correction of the first, as it either 

 answers your leisure or ideas with regard to the composition, 

 or what effects you think it may have with regard to j r our- 

 self. The two copys intended for you will be left with my 

 sister, when you please to require them ; and the copy of 

 the new edition of his works you shall be sure to receive, 

 though you have no better title to that part than the other, 

 though much you have to the friendship and esteem of, 

 Dear Sir, him. who is most sincerely, 



" Yours, 



" JOHN HOME." 



