Blair writes, on the 15th November, assuring Hume that he is fully
conscious of the unreasonableness of expecting him to introduce those
who are accredited to him, to the good company of Paris. He says, that
his own friend expressed himself as "very well satisfied" with Hume's
behaviour towards him; and perhaps he had a better reception than the
letter to Blair might seem to indicate. At all events, Blair seems not
to have been discouraged, for he immediately introduced the son of the
provost of Glasgow, travelling for his health, and Arthur Masson, a
teacher of languages, recommending them to such good offices as Hume
finds himself at liberty to bestow on them. It is clear, in short, that
he had not been successful in frightening his friends from requesting
him to perform offices of kindness and courtesy, or from trusting that
he would perform them. The following passage, in Blair's letter, is
evidence of the popularity of the Literary classes of the university of
Edinburgh, during the middle of last century.
My class was, last season, in such reputation that I gave a
second course in summer, at the desire of a body of the
medical students. I am just about to open for this
winter--with what success I cannot tell; for I tremble for it
every season. Against next season I intend to print a synopsis
of my lectures. In the medical school, a revolution is at a
crisis, which is important to us. Dr. Rutherford wants to
demit in favour of Frank Hume; a measure pushed by Lord
Milton, Baron Mure, and John Home; the coalition of three
formidable powers: but which we college people dread as boding
us no good; and are much more inclined to another scheme, of
placing Cullen in Rutherford's chair, and bringing Dr. Black,
from Glasgow, into the chair of chemistry, which would greatly
promote the reputation of our college, and which has all the
popularity on its side at present.
How unimportant these things seem to you now? I hear much,
from time to time, of your continuing, nay, increasing
celebrity and fame. You are just the high mode, they tell
us--the very delice of all the good company at Paris.