The History of England, Volume I | Page 7

to this tedious illness; but, unluckily, it has in a great measure gone off. I cannot submit to your coming over here on my account, as it is possible for me to see you so small a part of the day; but Dr. Black can better inform you concerning the degree of strength which may from time to time remain with me.
"Adieu, &c."
Three days after, I received the following letter from Dr. Black:
"Edinburgh, Monday, Aug. 26, 1776.
"DEAR SIR,
"Yesterday, about four o'clock, afternoon, Mr. Hume expired. The near approach of his death became evident in the night between Thursday and Friday, when his disease became excessive, and soon weakened him so much, that he could no longer rise out of his bed. He continued to the last perfectly sensible, and free from much pain or feelings of distress. He never dropped the smallest expression of impatience; but when he had occasion to speak to the people about him, always did it with affection and tenderness. I thought it improper to write to bring you over, especially as I heard that he had dictated a letter to you, desiring you not to come. When he became very weak, it cost him an effort to speak, and he died in such a happy composure of mind that nothing could exceed it."
Thus died our most excellent and never to be forgotten friend; concerning whose philosophical opinions men will no doubt judge variously, every one approving or condemning them, according as they happen to coincide or disagree with his own; but concerning whose character and conduct there can scarce be a difference of opinion. His temper, indeed, seemed to be more happily balanced, if I may be allowed such an expression, than that perhaps of any other man I have ever known. Even in the lowest state of his fortune, his great and necessary frugality never hindered him from exercising, upon proper occasions, acts both of charity and generosity. It was a frugality founded not upon avarice, but upon the love of independency. The extreme gentleness of his nature never weakened either the firmness of his mind, or the steadiness of his resolutions. His constant pleasantry was the genuine effusion of good-nature and good-humour, tempered with delicacy and modesty, and without even the slightest tincture of malignity, so frequently the disagreeable source of what is called wit in other men. It never was the meaning of his raillery to mortify; and therefore, far from offending, it seldom failed to please and delight even those who were the objects of it. To his friends, who were frequently the objects of it, there was not perhaps one of all his great and amiable qualities which contributed more to endear his conversation. And that gaiety of temper, so agreeable in society, but which is so often accompanied with frivolous and superficial qualities, was in him certainly attended with the most severe application, the most extensive learning, the greatest depth of thought, and a capacity in every respect the most comprehensive. Upon the whole, I have always considered him, both in his lifetime and since his death, as approaching as nearly to the idea of a perfectly wise and virtuous man as perhaps the nature of human frailty will permit.
I ever am, dear Sir,
Most affectionately yours,
ADAM SMITH.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME I

CHAPTER I.
The Britons.--Romans.--Saxons.--The Heptarchy.--The Kingdom of Kent-- of Northumberland--of East Anglia--of Mercia--of Essex--of Sussex--of Wessex

CHAPTER II.
Egbert.--Ethelwolf.--Ethelbald and Ethelbert.--Ethered.--Alfred the Great.--Edward the Elder.--Athelstan.--Edmund.-Edred.--Edwy.--Edgar.-- Edward the Martyr

CHAPTER III.
Ethelred.--Settlement of the Normans.--Edmund Ironside.--Canute.-- Harold Harefoot.--Hardicanute.--Edward the Confessor.--Harold
APPENDIX I.
THE ANGLO-SAXON GOVERNMENT AND MANNERS.
First Saxon Government.--Succession of the Kings.--The Wittenagemot.-- The Aristocracy.--The several Orders of Men.--Courts of Justice.-- Criminal Law.--Rules of Proof.-Military Force.--Public Revenue.--Value of Money.--Manners

CHAPTER IV.
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR
Consequences of the Battle of Hastings.--Submission of the English.-- Settlement of the Government.--King's Return to Normandy.--Discontents of the English.--Their Insurrections.--Rigours of the Norman Government.--New Insurrections.-New Rigours of the Government.-- Introduction of the Feudal Law.--Innovation in Ecclesiastical Government.--Insurrection of the Norman Barons.--Dispute about Investitures.--Revolt of Prince Robert.--Domesday-Book.--The New Forest.--War with France.--Death and Character of William the Conqueror

CHAPTER V
WILLIAM RUFUS
Accession of William Rufus.--Conspiracy against the King.--Invasion of Normandy.--The Crusades.--Acquisition of Normandy.--Quarrel with Anselm, the Primate.--Death and Character of William Rufus

CHAPTER VI.
HENRY I.
The Crusades.--Accession of Henry.--Marriage of the King.--Invasion by Duke Robert.--Accommodation with Robert.--Attack of Normandy.-- Conquest of Normandy.--Continuation of the Quarrel with Anselm, the Primate.--Compromise with him.--Wars abroad.--Death of Prince William.--King's second Marriage.--Death and Character of Henry

CHAPTER VII.
STEPHEN
Accession of Stephen.--War with Scotland.--Insurrection in favour of Matilda.--Stephen taken Prisoner.--Matilda crowned.--Stephen released.--Restored to the Crown.--Continuation of the Civil Wars.-- Compromise between the King and Prince Henry.--Death of the King

CHAPTER VIII.
HENRY II.
State of Europe--of France.--First Acts of Henry's Government.-- Disputes between the Civil and Ecclesiastical Powers.-Thomas �� Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury.--Quarrel between the King and Becket.-- Constitutions of Clarendon.--Banishment of Becket.--Compromise with him.--His return from Banishment.-His Murder.--Grief and Submission of the King

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