[307:1] Viz. in a volume of broadsides and other documents, in the possession of James Maidment, Esq. of which the pieces in the preceding note are specimens. To show how such inquiries are beset by tantalizing coincidences, there are two James Frasers mentioned on the Trentham side, one of them having after his name on a printed list of voters, the significant MS. notandum, "Don't pay." [307:2] P. 223. [308:1] A gentleman of the same name connected with the Lovat family, was for some time an apothecary in London, where he lived "the life of a genuine London bachelor;" he was a keen Jacobite, and died about 1760. _Note communicated by Captain Fraser, Knockie_, who also mentions another James Fraser, who was commissioner of the navy during the revolutionary war, and settled in London in 1781; but this appears to have been a person of a later generation than Hume's friend. [310:1] Gunpowder. [310:2] In allusion, probably, to Sir John Hynd Cotton. [310:3] In allusion to Sir George Vandeput. [310:4] In allusion, probably, to Fraser's own family. [311:1] Earl Gower, and his son Lord Trentham. [316:1] Probably "Agis," which appears to have been written before "Douglas." [316:2] See above, p. 298. [319:1] Printed sheet in the possession of James Maidment, Esq. "The Bellman's Petition," has been reprinted in a curious collection of scraps, called "A Scots Haggis," the editor of which does not however appear to have known that Hume was the author of this piece. CHAPTER VIII. 1751-1752. ÆT. 40-41. Sir Gilbert Elliot--Hume's intimacy with him--Their Philosophical Correspondence--Dialogues on Natural Religion-- Residence in Edinburgh--Jack's Land--Publication of the "Inquiry concerning the Principles of Morals"--The Utilitarian Theory--Attempt to obtain the Chair of Moral Philosophy in Glasgow--Competition with Burke--Publication of the "Political Discourses"--The foundation of Political Economy--French Translations. Foremost in that body of accomplished gentlemen, whose friendship and companionship afforded to Hume so much pleasure and instruction, was Mr. afterwards Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto. A small portion of the letters, of which their correspondence consists, has already been embodied in philosophical literature;[320:1] and I have now, through the favour of the noble descendant of the person to whom they were addressed, an opportunity of presenting the reader with all those portions of Hume's letters to Sir Gilbert Elliot, now existing, which have any claim on public attention, whether as containing valuable philosophical speculations, or throwing light on the social habits and intercourse of the two distinguished correspondents.[320:2] Sir Gilbert Elliot was the third baronet of the family of Minto, who bore the same Christian name.[320:3] He joined the Scottish bar, though he does not seem to have sought professional practice.