40 HUME ii 



Assembly of 1756 to appoint a committee to in- 

 quire into his writings. But, after a keen debate, 

 the proposal was rejected by fifty votes to seven- 

 teen. Hume does not appear to have troubled 

 himself about the matter, and does not even think 

 it worth mention in " My Own Life." 



In 1756 he tells Clephane that he is worth 

 1,600 sterling, and consequently master of an 

 income which must have been wealth to a man of 

 his frugal habits. In the same year, he published 

 the second volume of the " History," which met 

 with a much better reception than the first; and, 

 in 1757, one of his most remarkable works, the 

 " Natural History of Keligion," appeared. In the 

 same year, he resigned his office of librarian to 

 the Faculty of Advocates, and he projected 

 removal to London, probably to superintend 

 the publication of the additional volume of the 

 " History." 



"I shall certainly be in London next summer; and prob- 

 ably to remain there during life: at least, if I can settle 

 myself to my mind, which I beg you to have an eye to. A 

 room in a sober discreet family, who would not be averse to 

 admit a sober, discreet, virtuous, regular, quiet, goodnatured 

 man of a bad character such a room, I say, would suit me 

 extremely." * 



The promised visit took place in the latter part 

 of the year 1758, and he remained in the 

 metropolis for the greater part of 1759. The two 



* Letter to Clephane, 3rd September, 1757. 



