The History of England, Volume I | Page 7

am obliged to make use of my nephew's hand in writing to you, as I
do not rise to-day. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I go very fast to decline, and last night had a small fever, which I
hoped might put a quicker period 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