M.P. for Selkirkshire; the Rev. William Wilkie, author of the Epigoniad; and the Rev. Robert Wallace, the predecessor and at least in part the stimulator of Malthus in his speculations on the population question.  The five members of this committee were directed by the society to put their own names on one or other of the four executive committees, and they placed the name of Smith, together with that of Hume, on the committee for Belles-Lettres and Criticism.  As yet he was evidently best known as literary critic, though the questions propounded by him in this society, and the subjects treated by him in the Literary Society of Glasgow, show that his tastes were already leading him into other directions.

Sufficient contributions soon flowed in; Hume in his letter to Ramsay speaks of L100 being already in hand, and of several large subscriptions besides being promised from various noblemen, whom he names; and accordingly an advertisement was published in the newspapers on the 10th of April 1755, offering the following prizes:—­

     I. Honorary premiums, being gold medals with suitable
     devices and inscriptions:—­

     1.  For the best discovery in science.

     2.  For the best essay on taste.

     3.  For the best dissertation on vegetation and the
     principles of agriculture.

     II.  Honorary premiums, being silver medals with proper
     devices and inscriptions:—­

     4.  For the best printed and most correct book of at least 10
     sheets.

     5.  For the best printed cotton or linen cloth, not under 28
     yards.

     6.  For the best imitation of English blankets, not under
     six.

     7.  For the next best ditto, not under six.

     8.  For the best hogshead of strong ale.

     9.  For the best hogshead of porter.

     III.  Lucrative premiums:—­

     10.  For the most useful invention in arts, L21.

     11.  For the best carpet as to work, pattern, and colours, of
     at least 48 yards,.L5:5s.

     12.  For the next best ditto, also 48 yards, L4:4s.

     13.  For the best drawings of fruits, flowers, and foliages
     by boys or girls under sixteen years of age, L5:5s.

     14.  For the second best, L3:3s.

     15.  For the third best, L2:2s.

     16.  For the best imitation of Dresden work in a pair of
     man’s ruffles, L5:5s.

     17.  For the best bone lace, not under 20 yards, L5:5s.

     18.  For the greatest quantity of white linen rags, L1:10s.

     19.  For the second ditto, L1:5s.

     20.  For the third ditto, L1.

     21.  For the fourth ditto, 15s.

     22.  For the fifth ditto, 10s.

The articles were asked to be delivered to Mr. Walter Goodall (David Hume’s assistant in the work of librarian), at the Advocates’ Library, before the first Monday of December.[87] On the 19th of August the following additional prizes were offered:—­