II LATER YEARS 38 



"with infinite regret, where I had treasured up 

 stores of study and plans of thinking for many 

 years ; " and his only consolation is that the op- 

 portunity of becoming conversant with state affairs 

 may be profitable : 



"I shall have an opportunity of seeing courts and camps; 

 and if I can afterward be so happy as to attain leisure and other 

 opportunities, this knowledge may even turn to account to me 

 as a man of letters, which I confess has always been the sole 

 object of my ambition. I have long had an intention, in my 

 riper years, of composing some history ; and I question not but 

 some greater experience in the operations of the field and the 

 intrigues of the cabinet will be requisite, in order to enable me 

 to speak with judgment on these subjects." 



Hume returned to London in 1749, and during 

 his stay there, his mother died, to his heartfelt 

 sorrow. A curious story in connection with this 

 event is told by Dr. Carlyle, who knew Hume 

 well, and whose authority is perfectly trustworthy. 



"Mr. Boyle hearing of it, soon after went to his apartment, 

 for they lodged in the same house, where he found him in the 

 deepest affliction and in a flood of tears. After the usual topics 

 and condolences Mr. Boyle said to him, 'My friend, you owe 

 this uncommon grief to having thrown off the principles of 

 religion : for if you had not, you would have been consoled 

 with the firm belief that the good lady, who was not only the 

 best of mothers, but the most pious of Christians, was com- 

 pletely happy in the realms of the just.' To which David 

 replied, 'Though I throw out my speculations to entertain 

 the learned and metaphysical world, yet in other things I do 

 not think so differently from the rest of the world as you 

 imagine.' " 



VOL. VI D 



