In the following year (1786) Smith was suffering much from ill-health, but his mind and pen were busy. T. Christie, Nichols’s Edinburgh correspondent, informed his friend in August that Dr. Smith was writing “the history of Moral Philosophy.” This may only mean that he was engaged in preparing the enlarged (6th edition) of the _Moral Sentiments_; for in a letter to the Duke of Rochefoucauld that recently came to light, dated November 1, 1785, he speaks of an edition of the _Theory_ “which I hope to execute before the end of the ensuing winter.” But it may refer to one of two much larger and more ambitious schemes which he goes on to mention in the same letter: “I have likewise two other great works upon the anvil; the one is a sort of philosophical history of all the different branches of literature, of philosophy, poetry, and eloquence; the other is a sort of theory and history of law and government. The materials of both are in a great measure collected, and some part of both is put into tolerable good order. But the indolence of old age, though I struggle violently against it, I feel coming fast upon me, and whether I shall ever be able to finish either is extremely uncertain.” At the same time he was in correspondence with William Eden, whom he was helping to refute Dr. Price’s alarmist theories about the decrease of the population. In the spring of 1787 he went to London, partly to consult John Hunter, Sir William’s younger brother, partly perhaps from curiosity to see the boy Premier, who was so rapidly and skilfully carrying out his fiscal policy. Pitt had just carried Smith’s favourite project of a commercial treaty with France, and was now engaged in the far more laborious task of simplifying the chaos of customs and excise rates in a gigantic Consolidation Bill. The economist had many conferences with the statesman. It is said that he was much with the ministry; and that the clerks of the public offices had orders to furnish him with all papers, and to employ if necessary additional hands to copy for him. One incident has been preserved that is worth recording. At a dinner given by Dundas, Smith came in late, and the company rose to receive him. He begged them to be seated. “No,” said Pitt, “we will stand till you are seated, for we are all your scholars.” On another occasion, finding himself next to Addington, he exclaimed: “What an extraordinary man Pitt is; he understands my ideas better than I do myself!” He stayed several months in London, and though his disorders did not admit of cure, the physicians operated with success, and pronounced in July that he “might do some time longer.”