It has been seriously asserted that the fortune of the book in this country was made by Fox quoting it one day in the House of Commons.  But this happened in November 1783, after the book had already gone through two editions and was on the eve of appearing in a third.  It is curious, however, that that was the first time it was quoted in the House, and it is curious, again, that the person to quote it then was Fox, who was neither an admirer of the book, nor a believer in its principles, nor a lover of its subject.  He once told Charles Butler that he had never read the book, and the remark must have been made many years after its publication, for it was made at St. Anne’s Hill, to which Fox only went in 1785.  “There is something in all these subjects,” the statesman added in explanation, “which passes my comprehension; something so wide that I could never embrace them myself nor find any one who did."[247] On another occasion, when he was dining one evening in 1796 at Sergeant Heywood’s, Fox showed his hearty disdain for Smith and political economy together.  The Earl of Lauderdale, who was himself an economist of great ability, and by no means a blind follower of Smith, made the remark that we knew nothing of political economy before Adam Smith wrote.  “Pooh,” said Fox, “your Adam Smiths are nothing, but” (he added, turning to the company) “that is his love; we must spare him there.”  “I think,” replied Lauderdale, “he is everything.”  “That,” rejoined Fox, “is a great proof of your affection.”  Fox was no believer in free trade, and actively opposed the Commercial Treaty with France in 1787 on the express and most illiberal ground that it proceeded from a novel system of doctrines, that it was a dangerous departure from the established principles of our forefathers, and that France and England were enemies by nature, and ought to be kept enemies by legislation.

It is curious therefore that in a House where Smith had many admirers and not a few disciples, his book was never mentioned for near eight years after its appearance, and was mentioned then by an enemy of its principles.  Fox’s quotation from it on that occasion was of the most unimportant character.  It was in his speech on the Address of Thanks to the Throne, and he said:  “There was a maxim laid down in an excellent book upon the Wealth of Nations which had been ridiculed for its simplicity, but which was indisputable as to its truth.  In that book it was stated that the only way to become rich was to manage matters so as to make one’s income exceed one’s expenses.  This maxim applied equally to an individual and to a nation.  The proper line of conduct therefore was by a well-directed economy to retrench every current expense, and to make as large a saving during the peace as possible."[248] To think of this allusion having any influence on the fortunes of the work is of course out of reason.  It was never even mentioned in the House again till the year 1787, when Mr. Robert Thornton invoked it