⁂ “It is a usual fallacy,” says Hume in “Of the Populousness of Ancient Nations,” “to consider all the ages of antiquity as one period.” The dates given in the Appendix may serve as a corrective in this regard. NOTES, INTRODUCTION. [1] _Life of Adam Smith_, “Great Writers” series. [2] _Life and Correspondence of David Hume_, 1846. [3] See _Foundations of Political Economy_, The Walter Scott Publishing Company, Limited. [4] His _Treatise of Human Nature_, regarding the publication of which he wrote in 1751 to Sir Gilbert Elliot, of Minto—“I was carried away by the heat of youth and invention to publish too precipitately. So vast an undertaking, planned before I was one-and-twenty, and composed before I was twenty-five, must necessarily be very defective. I have repented my haste a hundred and a hundred times.” [5] Haldane, _Life of Adam Smith_, “Great Writers” series. [6] Hume’s view is the juster here. HUME’S POLITICAL DISCOURSES [Illustration, ornamental] OF COMMERCE. The greatest part of mankind may be divided into two classes: that of shallow thinkers, who fall short of the truth; and that of abstruse thinkers, who go beyond it. The latter class are by far the most uncommon; and I may add, by far the most useful and valuable. They suggest hints, at least, and start difficulties, which they want, perhaps, skill to pursue; but which may produce very fine discoveries, when handled by men who have a more just way of thinking. At worst, what they say is uncommon; and if it should cost some pains to comprehend it, one has, however, the pleasure of hearing something that is new. An author is little to be valued who tells us nothing but what we can learn from every coffee-house conversation.