ADAM SMITH. 119 



affinities of English and Italian verse, and the fourth on 

 the external senses. The only part of this work that ap- 

 pears to be nearly finished, is the 'History of Astronomy ;' 

 but the whole of the Essays are replete with profound 

 and ingenious views, and show an extensive and accurate 

 acquaintance with all the branches of inductive science. 



The true picture of a great author's intellectual cha- 

 racter is presented by his writings; and of the depth, 

 the comprehensiveness, the general accuracy of his views, 

 on the various subjects to which his mind was bent, 

 there can be but one opinion. His understanding 

 was enlarged, and it was versatile; his sagacity, when he 

 applied himself deliberately to inquiry or to discussion, 

 was unerring; his information was extensive and correct; 

 his fancy was rich and various; his taste, formed upon 

 the purest models of antiquity, was simple and chaste. 



His integrity was unimpeachable, and the warmth of 

 his affections knew no chill, even when the langour of 

 age, and the weight of ill-health, was upon him; his 

 nature was kindly in the greatest degree, and his bene- 

 volence was extensive, leading him to indulge in acts of 

 private charity, pushed beyond his means, and concealed 

 with the most scrupulous delicacy towards its objects. 

 Stern votaries of religion have complained of his defi- 

 ciencies in piety, chiefly because of his letter upon the 

 death of his old and intimate friend Mr. Hume ; but no 

 one can read the frequent and warm allusions with which 

 his works abound to the moral government of the world, 

 to reliance upon the all-wise Disposer, to the hopes of a 

 future state, and not be convinced that his mind was 

 deeply sensible to devout impressions. Nay, even as to 

 his estimate of Mr. Hume's character, we are clearly 



