ADAM SMITH. 115 



The two years immediately following the publication of 

 his work he passed chiefly in London, and lived in the 

 society of the persons most distinguished for political and 

 for literary eminence. His appointment as Commissioner 

 of the Customs was wholly without his solicitation, or, 

 indeed, knowledge, until the offer was made. In 1762 

 the University of Glasgow had conferred upon him the 

 degree of Doctor of Laws, and in 1788 he was chosen 

 their Rector an office in the gift of the students, voting 

 by four divisions or nations. His letter of thanks on this 

 occurrence shows how extremely gratified he was with 

 the honour. 



Upon his appointment to the Customs he settled in 

 Edinburgh, where his venerable parent lived with him till 

 her death in 1784, as well as his cousin, Miss Douglas, 

 who died in 1788. These two losses sorely afflicted his 

 gentle and affectionate heart, for he was tenderly attached 

 to both his relations, and had never known domestic 

 comforts but in their society. He lived hospitably, and 

 saw much of his friends the great lights of Scottish 

 society in those days : Dr. Black, Dr. Hutton, Dr. Robert- 

 son, Dr. Cullen, were his chosen companions; and he 

 took much pleasure in superintending the education of 

 his kinsman, Mr. Douglas, afterwards Lord Strathenry, to 

 whom he left his choice library (the only thing, as he 

 used to say, in which he was a fop), as well as that 

 portion of his papers which he did not destroy. 



But now, although his income exceeded his wants, his 

 far more precious time was no longer his own. The trivial 

 but incessant duties of his office exhausted his spirits, 

 and distracted, though they could not fix his attention. 

 For several years he ceased to cultivate letters or 



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