TOULOUSE, 21st October 1764.

MY DEAR HUME—­I take this opportunity of Mr. Cook’s going to Paris to return to you, and thro’ you to the Ambassador, my very sincere and hearty thanks for the very honourable manner in which he was so good as to mention me to the Duke of Richelieu in the letter of recommendation which you sent us.  There was, indeed, one small mistake in it.  He called me Robinson instead of Smith.  I took upon me to correct this mistake myself before the Duke delivered the letter.  We were all treated by the Marechal with the utmost Politeness and attention, particularly the Duke, whom he distinguished in a very proper manner.  The Intendant was not at Bordeaux, but we shall soon have an opportunity of delivering his letter, as we propose to return to that place in order to meet my Lord’s Brother.

Mr. Cook[147] goes to Caen to wait upon Mr. Scot, and to attend him from that place to Toulouse.  He will pass by Paris, and I must beg the favour of you that as soon as you understand he is in town you will be so good as to call upon him and carry him to the Ambassador’s, as well as to any other place where he would chuse to go.  I must beg the same favour of Sir James.  Mr. Cook will let you know when he comes to town.  I have great reason to entertain the most favourable opinion of Mr. Scot, and I flatter myself his company will be both useful and agreeable to his Brother.  Our expedition to Bordeaux and another we have made since to Bagneres has made a great change upon the Duke.  He begins now to familiarise himself to French company, and I flatter myself I shall spend the rest of the time we are to live together not only in Peace and contentment, but in gayetty and amusement.

When Mr. Scot joins us we propose to go to see the meeting of the States of Languedoc at Montpelier.  Could you promise us recommendations to the Comte d’Eu, to the Archbishop of Narbonne, and to the Intendant?  These expeditions, I find, are of the greatest service to my Lord.—­I ever am, my dear friend, most, faithfully yours,

     ADAM SMITH.[148]

A few days after the date of that letter Smith writes Hume again, introducing one of the English residents in Toulouse, Mr. Urquhart of Cromartie, as Abbe Colbert describes him in one of his letters, a descendant therefore probably of Sir Thomas.  The letter is of no importance, but it shows at least Smith’s hearty liking for a good fellow.

MY DEAR FRIEND—­This letter will be delivered to you by Mr. Urquhart, the only man I ever knew who had a better temper than yourself.  You will find him most perfectly amiable.  I recommend him in the most earnest manner to your advice and protection.  He is not a man of letters, and is just a plain, sensible, agreeable man of no pretensions of any kind, but whom you will love every day better and better.—­My dear friend, most faithfully yours,

     ADAM SMITH.