620 MR small's biographical SKETCH OF PROF. ADAM FERGUSON. 



to believe every word I say. My fourth letter was written from the innermost 

 parts of Swisserland, on a Sunday afternoon, when I saw the militia exercise. 

 They have uniform clothes and accoutrements all at their own expense, which is 

 not a great hardship, for it is their only public burden. They appear to me to 

 be a very effective military establishment, and as they were the only body of 

 men I ever saw under arms on the true principle for which arms should be 

 carried, I felt much secret emotion, and could have shed tears. But to conclude, 

 my fifth and last letter was from the neighbourhood of this place, where 

 everything, from a pair of snuffers to the Venus of Medicis, and the great 

 Diana of the Ephesians, is better provided than anywhere else ; where every 

 one is busily enjoying, and no one thinks whence it came nor how it is to be 

 kept. I thought to have finished all my letters here ; but as a frank will carry 

 another sheet, I shall take room, at least, to sign my name. As I have already 

 written you five letters, and this new sheet may pass for another, you will please 

 to observe that you are, at least, four letters in my debt. I am much obliged to 

 you for your goodness to my wife and my bairns. If I live to return to them, 

 we shall not part so easily again. You may believe I was much surprised at the 

 attempt of the Town Council to shut the door against me ; but am obliged to 

 them for opening it again. I may be a great loser ; but the end for which I am 

 persecuted cannot be gained while I bave it in my option to return. I have been 

 much obliged to the general voice that was raised in my favour, as well as 

 to the ardent zeal of particular friends. Ilay Campbell has given me proofs of 

 friendship which I can never forget. Pulteney has behaved to me in everything, 

 as he would have done at the beginning of the Poker Club. I have always been 

 an advocate for mankind, and am a more determined one than ever ; the fools 

 and knaves are no more than necessary to give others something to do. I saw 

 J. Home in town yesterday morning, he goes on as usual. Mac* is listening to 

 the reports of his History. I do not live among readers, and am really ignorant 

 of the general verdict. I have been living here above three weeks. A charming 

 villa, in a magnificent scene, sed quis me sistat gelidis in montibus Pentland; and 

 this I do not say on account of the hot weather, tho' it has been for three days 

 the greatest I ever saw in this country. 



" Remember my blessing to Mrs Caelyle and your young ones, of whose 

 thriving state I am happy to hear. Tell Edgae, when you see him, that I have 

 lately a letter from Cleek, and shall write to him— meaning Edgae— soon. I am, 

 dear Caelyle, yours most affectionately, Adam FERGUSON."f 



The engagement which Feeguson had with Lord Chesteefield terminated 

 rather abruptly shortly after this ; and on returning to Edinburgh, he continued 

 his literary pursuits with renewed activity. 



* James M'Pherson (Ossian). f MSS. University, Edinburgh. 



