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   Copyright 1995, James Fieser (jfieser@utm.edu). See end note for
   details on copyright and editing conventions. This is a working draft;
   please report errors.1

   Editor's note: In 1744-1745 Hume was a candidate for the Chair of
   Moral Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. The position was to
   be vacated by John Pringle, and the leading candidates were Hume and
   William Cleghorn. The Edinburgh Town Council was responsible for
   electing a replacement; consequently, politics was a key factor in the
   decision. Loyalties were drawn chiefly along the two key political
   party lines: the Argathelians (Hume's party), and the Squadrones
   (Cleghorn's party). Pringle, a Squadrone, procrastinated in stepping
   down, thus allowing the Squadrones to unify their opposition to Hume
   by condemning his anti-religious writings. Chief among the religious
   critics was clergyman William Wishart (d. 1752), the Principal of the
   University of Edinburgh. Although Wishart was an Argathelian, his
   dislike of Hume's philosophy rose above political allegiance; it is
   also relevant that Wishart too sought the position for which Hume was
   applying. Lists of allegedly dangerous propositions from Hume's
   Treatise circulated, presumably penned by Wishart. In the face of such
   strong opposition, Hume's Argathelian support weakened. The religious
   dimension of the competition also compelled the Edinburgh Town Council
   to consult the Edinburgh ministers. Hoping to win over the clergy,
   Hume composed a point by point reply to the circulating lists of
   dangerous propositions. This was sent to Henry Home, and published as
   A Letter from a Gentleman to his Friend in Edinburgh. The clergy were
   not dissuaded, and 12 of the 15 ministers voted against Hume. Hume
   quickly withdrew his candidacy. A month later Hume reflected in a
   letter that the matter of his vocational opportunities "was brought to
   an issue, and by the cabals of the Principal [i.e. Wishart], the
   bigotry of the clergy, and the credulity of the mob, we lost it." In
   1751-1752 Hume sought a philosophy chair at the University of Glasgow,
   and was again unsuccessful. Hume's lesson, perhaps, was to seek civil
   employment through his Argathelian supporters, rather than academic
   employment. The following is from the 1745 edition of A Letter from a
   Gentleman.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN TO

           HIS FRIEND IN Edinburgh:

           CONTAINING

           Some OBSERVATIONS ON

     A Specimen of the Principles concerning RELIGION and MORALITY,
     said to be maintain'd in a Book lately publish'd, intituled, A
     Treatise of Human Nature, &c.

   EDINBURGH,

           Printed in the year M.DCC.XLV.

   ---------------------------------------------------------------------

   {3}

   SIR,

   I Have read over the Specimen of the Principles concerning Religion
   and Morality, said to be maintain'd in a Book lately published,
   intituled, A Treatise of Human Nature; being an Attempt to introduce
   the Experimental Method of Reasoning into Moral Subjects. I have also
   read over what is called the Sum of the Charge. Which Papers, as you
   inform me, have been industriously spread about, and were put into
   your hands some few Days ago.

           I was perswaded that the Clamour of Scepticism, Atheism, &c.
           had been so often employ'd by the worst of Men against the
           best, that it had now lost all its Influence; and should never
           have thought of making any Remarks on these maim'd Excerpts,
           if you had not laid your Commands on me, as a piece of common
           Justice to the Author, and for undeceiving some well-meaning
           People, on whom it seems the enormous Charge has made
           Impression. {4}

           I shall insert the Accusation at full Length, and then go
           regularly through what is called the Sum of the Charge;
           because it is intended, I suppose, to contain the Substance of
           the whole. I shall also take notice of the Specimen as I go
           along.

   Specimen of the Principles concerning Religion and Morality, &c.

   THE Author puts on his Title-page (Vol. I printed for J. Noon, 1739) a
   Passage of Tacitus to this Purpose; "Rare Happiness of our Times, that
   you may think as you will, and speak as you think."

           He expresses his Deference to the Publick in these Words
           (Advertisement, p. 2.) The Approbation of the Publick I
           consider as the greatest Reward of my Labours; but am
           determined to regard its Judgment, whatever it be, as my best
           Instruction."