"Dear Sir,—If you pass by Edinburgh, please bring me two pounds of rapee, such as Peggy Elliot uses to take. You will get it at Gillespy's near the Cross.
"Mrs. Mallet has her compliments to you, and begs you to procure her a collection of Scotch pebbles. I assured her that I should inform you of her desire, and also that you would not fail to execute it.
"We hear that you are to be expelled the university with disgrace. Even the most partial of your friends here are obliged to allow that you deserve it.
"We expect over forty thousand French, with the first fair wind. They will probably settle the ministry; for, at present, the Pitts and the Legges, and the Grenvilles, are all going by the ears.
"We live in hopes of seeing you soon. My compliments to Smith, whose book is in a very good way.
"Dr. Warburton presents his compliments to you. Yours sincerely," &c.[62:1]
Hume to Mr. Ruat.[62:2]
"6th July [1739.]
"Dear Ruat,—I am very much obliged to you for the desire you express to Miss Elliot of hearing from me; and particularly your wishing to be informed, by me, of any news that pass. As soon as I knew, certainly, how to direct to you, I have sat down to write; and, though the occurrences are no way extraordinary which I can communicate, they
shall all be strictly, and literally, and certainly true; and you may venture to tell them as such to all the idle people that frequent Buxton.