But the very early influence of the _Wealth of Nations_ in the English political world is established by much better proofs than quotations in Parliament. It had actually shaped parts of the policy of the country years before it was ever publicly alluded to in either House. The very first budget after its publication bore its marks. Lord North was then on the outlook for fresh and comparatively unburdensome means of increasing the revenue, and obtained valuable assistance from the _Wealth of Nations_. He imposed two new taxes in 1777, of which he got the idea there; one on man-servants, and the other on property sold by auction. And the budget of 1778 owed still more important features to Smith's suggestions, for it introduced the inhabited house duty so strongly recommended by him, and the malt tax.[253] Then in the following year 1779 we find Smith consulted by statesmen like Dundas and the Earl of Carlisle on the pressing and anxious question of giving Ireland free trade. His answers still exist, and will appear later on in this work.[254] FOOTNOTES: [244] _Hume MSS._, R.S.E. [245] Burton's _Life of Hume_, ii. 487. [246] Buckle's _History of Civilisation_, ed. 1869, i. 214. [247] Butler's _Reminiscences_, i. 176. [248] _Parliamentary History_, xxiii. 1152. [249] _Parliamentary History_, xxix. 834. [250] _Ibid._, xxx. 330, 334. [251] Stewart's _Works_, x. 87. [252] Cockburn's _Memorials of My Own Time_, p. 174. [253] See Dowell's _Taxation_, ii. 169. [254] See below, pp. 350, 352. CHAPTER XIX THE DEATH OF HUME 1776