While these communications with leading statesmen were showing the impression the Wealth of Nations had made in this country, Smith was receiving equally satisfactory proofs of its recognition abroad.  The book had been translated into Danish by F. Draebye, and the translation published in two volumes in 1779-80.  Apparently the translator was contemplating the publication of a second edition, for he communicated with Smith through a Danish friend, desiring to know what alterations Smith proposed to make in his second edition, of whose appearance the translator had manifestly not heard.  Smith thereupon wrote Strahan the following letter, asking him to send a copy of the second edition to Draebye:—­

DEAR SIR—­I think it is predestined that I shall never write to you except to ask some favour of you or to put you to some trouble.  This letter is not to depart from the style of all the rest.  I am a subscriber for Watt’s Copying Machine.  The price is six guineas for the machine and five shillings for the packing-box; I should be glad too he would send me a ream of the copying paper, together with all the other specimens of ink, etc., which commonly accompany the machine.  For payment of this to Mr. Woodmason, the seller, whose printed letter I have enclosed, you will herewith receive a bill of eight Guineas payable at sight.  If, after paying for all these, there should be any remnant, there is a tailour in Craven Street, one Heddington, an acquaintance of James M’Pherson, to whom I owe some shillings, I believe under ten, certainly under twenty; pay him what I owe.  He is a very honest man, and will ask no more than is due.  Before I left London I had sent several times for his account, but he always put it off.

I had almost forgot I was the author of the inquiry concerning the Wealth of Nations, but some time ago I received a letter from a friend in Denmark telling me that it had been translated into Danish by one Mr. Dreby, secretary to a new erected board of trade and Economy in that Kingdom.  My correspondent, Mr. Holt, who is an assessor of that Board, desires me, in the name of Mr. Dreby, to know what alterations I propose to make in a second Edition.  The shortest answer to this is to send them the second edition.  I propose, therefore, by this Post to desire Mr. Cadell to send three copies of the second Edition, handsomely bound and gilt, to Mr. Anker, Consul-General of Denmark, who is an old acquaintance—­one for himself and the other two to be by him transmitted to Mr. Holt and Mr. Dreby.  At our final settlement I shall debit myself with these three Books.  I suspect I am now almost your only customer for my own book.  Let me know, however, how matters go on in this respect.

After begging your pardon a thousand times for having so long neglected to write you, I shall conclude with assuring you that notwithstanding this neglect I have the highest respect and esteem for you and for your whole family, and that I am, most sincerely and affectionately, ever yours,

     ADAM SMITH.