Thirdly, As I thought the story much to your honour, I told it
to several of my friends here. I even wrote it to Madame de
Boufflers at Paris. I believe no one will imagine that I was
preparing beforehand an apology, in case of a rupture with
you; which, of all human events, I should then have thought
the most incredible, especially as we were separated, almost
for ever, and I still continued to render you the most
essential services.
Fourthly, The story, as I tell it, is consistent and rational:
there is not common sense in your account. What! because
sometimes, when absent in thought, (a circumstance common
enough with men whose minds are intensely occupied,) I have a
fixed look or stare, you suspect me to be a traitor, and you
have the assurance to tell me of such black and ridiculous
suspicions! For you do not even pretend that before you left
London you had any other solid grounds of suspicion against
me.
I shall enter into no detail with regard to your letter: you
yourself well know that all the other articles of it are
without foundation. I shall only add in general, that I
enjoyed about a month ago an uncommon pleasure, in thinking
that, in spite of many difficulties, I had, by assiduity and
care, and even beyond my most sanguine expectations, provided
for your repose, honour, and fortune. But that pleasure was
soon imbittered, by finding that you had voluntarily and
wantonly thrown away all those advantages, and was become the
declared enemy of your own repose, fortune, and honour: I
cannot be surprised after this that you are my enemy. Adieu,
and for ever.[344:1]
Hume did not profess to submit to these attacks with the meekness of the
dove, as a few letters to his friends will show. Of the two following
letters to Blair, the one was written before, the other after the
reception of Rousseau's "indictment."
HUME _to_ DR. BLAIR.
"_Lisle Street, 1st July, 1766._
"You will be surprised, dear Doctor, when I desire you most earnestly
never in your life to show to any mortal creature the letters I wrote
you with regard to Rousseau. He is surely the blackest and most
atrocious villain, beyond comparison, that now exists in the world, and
I am heartily ashamed of any thing I ever wrote in his favour. I know
you will pity me when I tell you that I am afraid I must publish this to
the world in a pamphlet, which must contain an account of the whole
transaction between us.[344:2] My only comfort is, that the matter will
be so clear as not to leave to any mortal the smallest possibility of
doubt. You know how dangerous any controversy on a disputable point
would be with a man of his talents. I know not where the miscreant will
now retire to, in order to hide his head from this infamy. I am,"
&c.[345:1]
"_15th July, 1766._