From Dalkeith Smith returns to Kirkcaldy and his work.  We find him in 1768 in correspondence with the Duke’s law-agent, Mr. A. Campbell, W.S., and with Sir James Johnstone of Westerhall, about some investigation, apparently of no public importance, into the genealogy of the Scotts, in connection with which he first got Campbell to make a search in the charter-room of Dalkeith for ancient papers connected with the Scotts of Thirlestane, and then wanted to know the explanation Sir James Johnstone had given of Scott of Davington’s claim as heir of Rennaldburn upon the Duke of Buccleugh.[210] It shows Smith, however, taking an interest, as if he were entitled to do so, in the business affairs of the Duke.  We find him too in correspondence with Lord Hailes on historical points of some consequence to the economic inquiries he was now busy upon.  Lord Hailes was one of the precursors of sound historical investigation in this country, and to Smith, with whom he was long intimate, he afterwards paid the curious compliment of translating his letter to Strahan on the death of Hume into Latin.

Of Smith’s correspondence with Hailes only two letters have been preserved.  The first is as follows:—­

     KIRKALDY, 5th March 1769.

MY LORD—­I should now be extremely obliged to your Lordship if you would send me the papers you mentioned upon the prices of provisions in former times.  In order that the conveyance may be perfectly secure, if your Lordship will give me leave I shall send my own servant sometime this week to receive them at your Lordship’s house at Edinburgh.  I have not been able to get the papers in the cause of Lord Galloway and Lord Morton.  If your Lordship is possessed of them it would likewise be a great obligation if you would send me them.  I shall return both as soon as possible.  If your Lordship will give me leave I shall transcribe the manuscript papers; this, however, entirely depends upon your Lordship.

Since the last time I had the honour of writing to your Lordship I have read over with more care than before the Acts of James I., and compared them with your Lordship’s remarks.  From this last I have received both much pleasure and much instruction.  Your Lordship’s remarks will, I plainly see, be of much more use to me than, I am afraid, mine will be to you.  I have read law entirely with a view to form some general notion of the great outlines of the plan according to which justice has been administered in different ages and nations; and I have entered very little into the detail of particulars of which I see your Lordship is very much master.  Your Lordship’s particular facts will be of great use to correct my general views; but the latter, I fear, will always be too vague and superficial to be of much use to your Lordship.

I have nothing to add to what your Lordship has observed upon the Acts of James I. They are framed in general in a much ruder