An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations — John Shaqi
An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of NationsSmith, Adam
General
An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
Smith, Adam
Economics
'The meeting accept of Dr. Smith's resignation in terms of the above
letter; and the office of professor of moral philosophy in this
university is therefore hereby declared to be vacant. The university
at the same time, cannot help expressing their sincere regret at the
removal of Dr. Smith, whose distinguished probity and amiable
qualities procured him the esteem and affection of his colleagues;
whose uncommon genius, great abilities, and extensive learning, did
so much honour to this society. His elegant and ingenious Theory of
Moral Sentiments having recommended him to the esteem of men of taste
and literature throughout Europe, his happy talents in illustrating
abstracted subjects, and faithful assiduity in communicating useful
knowledge, distinguished him as a professor, and at once afforded the
greatest pleasure, and the most important instruction, to the youth
under his care.'
In the first visit that Mr. Smith and his noble pupil made to Paris,
they only remained ten or twelve days; after which, they proceeded to
Thoulouse, where, during a residence of eighteen months, Mr. Smith had
an opportunity of extending his information concerning the internal
policy of France, by the intimacy in which he lived with some of the
members of the parliament. After visiting several other places in the
south of France, and residing two months at Geneva, they returned about
Christmas to Paris. Here Mr. Smith ranked among his friends many of the
highest literary characters, among whom were several of the most
distinguished of those political philosophers who were denominated
Economists.
Before Mr. Smith left Paris, he received a flattering letter from the
unfortunate Duke of Rochefoucault, with a copy of a new edition of the
Maxims of his grandfather. Notwithstanding the unfavourable manner in
which the opinions of the author of that work were mentioned in the
Theory of Moral Sentiments, the Duke informed Mr. Smith, on this
occasion, that he had been prevented only from finishing a translation,
which he had begun, of his estimable system of morals, into French, by
the knowledge of having been anticipated in the design. He also
observed, that some apology might be made for his ancestor, when it was
considered, that he formed his opinions of mankind in two of the worst
situations of life,--a court and a camp. The last communication Mr.
Smith had with this nobleman was in 1789, when he gave him to
understand, that he would no longer rank the name of Rochefoncault with
that of the author of the Fable of the Bees; and, accordingly, in the
first edition that was afterwards published of the Theory of Moral
Sentiments, this promised alteration was made.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account