ON PHILOSOPHICAL SUBJECTS. BY The late ADAM SMITH, LL.D. FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETIES OF LONDON AND EDINBURGH, TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, An ACCOUNT of the LIFE and WRITINGS of the AUTHOR; By DUGALD STEWART, F. R. S. E. LONDON: Printed for T. CADELL Jun. and W. DAVIES (Succeffors to Mr. CADELL) 1795. ADVERTISEMENT By the EDITORS. THE much lamented Author of these Essays left lic. them in the hands of his friends to be difposed of as they thought proper, having immediately before his death destroyed many other manuscripts which he thought unfit for being made pubWhen these were infpected, the greater number of them appeared to be parts of a plan he once had formed, for giving a connected history of the liberal fciences and elegant arts. It is long fince he found it neceffary to abandon that plan as far too extenfive; and these parts of it lay befide him neglected until his death. His friends are perfuaded however, that the reader will find in them that happy connection, that full and accurate expression, and that clear illuftration A 2 illustration which are confpicuous in the reft of his works; and that though it is difficult to add much to the great fame he so justly acquired by his other writings, these will be read with fatisfaction and pleasure. JOSEPH BLACK. JAMES HUTTON. |