[74] No doubt they were destroyed with Boswell’s other papers. Ante, iii.301, note 1.

[75] This letter, though shattered by the sharp shot of Dr. Horne of Oxford’s wit, in the character of One of the People called Christians, is still prefixed to Mr. Hume’s excellent History of England, like a poor invalid on the piquet guard, or like a list of quack medicines sold by the same bookseller, by whom a work of whatever nature is published; for it has no connection with his History, let it have what it may with what are called his Philosophical Works.  A worthy friend of mine in London was lately consulted by a lady of quality, of most distinguished merit, what was the best History of England for her son to read.  My friend recommended Hume’s.  But, upon recollecting that its usher was a superlative panegyrick on one, who endeavoured to sap the credit of our holy religion, he revoked his recommendation.  I am really sorry for this ostentatious alliance; because I admire The Theory of Moral Sentiments, and value the greatest part of An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.  Why should such a writer be so forgetful of human comfort, as to give any countenance to that dreary infidelity which would make us poor indeed?’ [’makes me poor indeed.’ Othello, act iii. sc.3].  BOSWELL.  Dr. Horne’s book is entitled, A Letter to Adam Smith, LL.D., On the Life, Death, and Philosophy of his Friend David Hume, Esq.  By one of the People called Christians.  Its chief wit is in the Preface.  The bookseller mentioned in this note was perhaps Francis Newbery, who succeeded his father, Goldsmith’s publisher, as a dealer in quack medicines and books.  They dealt in ‘over thirty different nostrums,’ and published books of every nature.  Of the father Johnson said:—­’Newbery is an extraordinary man, for I know not whether he has read or written most books.’  He is the original of ‘Jack Whirler’ in The Idler, No. 19. A Bookseller of the Last Century, pp. 22, 73.

[76] Hume says that his first work, his Treatise of Human Nature, ‘fell dead-born from the press.’  Auto. p.3.  His Enquiry concerning Human Understanding ‘was entirely overlooked and neglected.’ Ib. p.4.  His Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals ’came unnoticed and unobserved into the world.’ Ib. p.5.  The first volume of his History of England certainly met with numerous assailants; but ’after the first ebullitions of their fury were over, what was still more mortifying, the book seemed to sink into oblivion.  Mr. Millar told me,’ he continues, ’that in a twelvemonth he sold only forty-five copies of it...I was I confess, discouraged, and had not the war at that time been breaking out between France and England, I had certainly retired to some provincial town of the former kingdom, have changed my name, and never more have returned