Note 45 — Chapter XI · LAST YEARS (1776-1790)

Sir Gilbert Elliot wrote from Edinburgh, July 25, 1782, to his wife:—“I have found one just man in Gomorrah, Adam Smith, author of the Wealth of Nations. He was the Duke of Buccleuch’s tutor, is a wise and deep philosopher, and although made Commissioner of the Customs here by the Duke and Lord Advocate, is what I call an honest fellow. He wrote a most kind as well as elegant letter to Burke on his resignation, as I believe I told you before, and on my mentioning it to him he told me he was the only man here who spoke out for the Rockinghams.”—Life of Lord Minto, vol. i. p. 84.