606 MR SMALL S BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PROF. ADAM FERGUSON. 



suppose that you have read his letter first. We are certain that the settlement 

 of you here, and of FERGuso>f at Glasgow, would be perfectly easy by Lord 

 Milton's interest. The prospect of prevailing with Abercromby is also very 

 good ; for the same statesman, by his influence over the Town Council, could 

 oblige him either to attend, which he never would do, or dispose of the office for 

 the money which he gave for it. The only real difficulty is then with you. 

 Pray, then, consider that this is perhaps the only opportunity we shall ever have 

 of getting you to town. I dare swear that you think the difference of place is 

 worth paying something for, and yet it will really cost you nothing. You made 

 above L.lOO a-year by your class* Avhen in this place, though you had not the 

 character of Professor. We cannot suppose that it will be less than L.lOO after 

 you are settled. John Stevenson ;t and it is John Stevenson makes near L.150, 

 as we are informed upon inquiry. Here is L.lOO a-year for eight years' purchase ; 

 which is a cheap purchase, even considered as the way of a bargain. We flatter 

 ourselves that you rate our company at something ; and the prospect of settling 

 Ferguson will be an additional inducement. For, though we think of making 

 him take up the project if you refuse it, yet it is uncertain whether he will con- 

 sent ; and it is attended, in his case, with many very obvious objections. I be- 

 seech you, therefore, to weigh all these motives over again. The alteration of 

 these circumstances merit that you should put the matter again in deliberation. 

 I had a letter from Miss Hepburn, where she regrets very much that you are 

 settled at Glasgow, and that we had the chance of seeing you so seldom. I 

 am, &c." 



" P.S. — Lord Milton can with his finger stop the foul mouths of all the roarers 

 against heresy." 



" Hume to the Rev. John Jardine." 



Without date. 



" Rev. Sir, — I am informed by the late Rev. Mr John Home that the still 

 Rev. Adam Ferguson's affair is so far on a good footing, that it is agreed to refer 

 the matter to the Justice Clerk, whether more shall be paid to Mr Abercromby 

 than he himself gave for that Professorship. Now, as it is obvious that in these 

 kind of references, where the question is not of law and justice, the circumstances 

 of the person are to be considered, I beg of you to inform my Lord of the true 

 state of the case. Ferguson must borrow almost the whole sum which he pays 

 for this office. If any more, therefore, be asked than L.IOOO, it would be the 

 most ruinous thing in the world for him to accept of the office. I am even of 

 opinion, that if any other method of subsistence offered, it were preferable to 

 this scheme of paying the length of L.IOOO ; at least such would be my senti- 

 ments if the case were mine. 



* Smith had lectured on Belles Lettres in Edinburgh in 1748. 

 t Professor of Logic. 



