The _Political Essays_ had a great and rapid success; translated into
French in 1753, and again in 1754, they conferred a European reputation
upon their author; and, what was more to the purpose, influenced the
later French school of economists of the eighteenth century.
By this time, Hume had not only attained a high reputation in the world
of letters, but he considered himself a man of independent fortune. His
frugal habits had enabled him to accumulate L1,000, and he tells Michael
Ramsay in 1751:--
"While interest remains as at present, I have L50 a year, a hundred
pounds worth of books, great store of linens and fine clothes, and
near L100 in my pocket; along with order, frugality, a strong
spirit of independency, good health, a contented humour, and an
unabated love of study. In these circumstances I must esteem myself
one of the happy and fortunate; and so far from being willing to
draw my ticket over again in the lottery of life, there are very
few prizes with which I would make an exchange. After some
deliberation, I am resolved to settle in Edinburgh, and hope I
shall be able with these revenues to say with Horace:--
'Est bona librorum et provisae frugis in annum
Copia.'"
It would be difficult to find a better example of the honourable
independence and cheerful self-reliance which should distinguish a man
of letters, and which characterised Hume throughout his career.
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