I therefore
take the present Opportunity of qualifying that friendly
Request: I am content, to leave it entirely to your
Discretion at what time you will publish that Piece, or
whether you will publish it at all. [May 3, 1776]
In the above, Hume leaves it to Smith's discretion as to when the
Dialogues should be published. But Hume quickly became
uncomfortable with this arrangement and, a month later, asked his
long time publisher, William Strahan, to arrange for its
immediate publication:
I am also to speak to you of another Work more important:
Some Years ago, I composed a piece, which woud make a small
Volume in Twelves. I call it Dialogues on natural Religion:
Some of my Friends flatter me, that it is the best thing I
ever wrote. I have hitherto forborne to publish it, because
I was of late desirous to live quietly, and keep remote from
all Clamour: For though it be not more exceptionable than
some things I had formerly published; yet you know some of
these were thought very exceptionable; and in prudence,
perhaps, I ought to have suppressed them. I there introduce
a Sceptic, who is indeed refuted, and at last gives up the
Argument, nay confesses that he was only amusing himself by
all his Cavils; yet before he is silenced, he advances
several Topics, which will give Umbrage, and will be deemed
very bold and free, as well as much out of the Common Road.
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