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First edition of the great philosopher's major contribution to political economy, one of the principal economic works of the 18th century and a key influence on Adam Smith. Hume introduces the specie-flow mechanism and the theory of creeping inflation, while the essays "Of Money" and "Of the Balance of Trade" underpin the foundations of classical monetary economics. The Political Discourses was the only work to win Hume widespread acclaim in his own lifetime, attracting attention from such figures as Turgot and Josiah Tucker. Dugald Stewart wrote that the Discourses "were evidently of greater use to Mr Smith than any other book that had appeared prior to his lectures" (quoted in Skinner, p. 408). "After 1752 David Hume was read by a wider circle than could ever possibly have read his metaphysical works" (Mossner). Of the 12 essays in the Discourses, seven concern economics, fixing "the search light of rational and historical inquiry upon problems of vast interest to an age that was slowly sloughing itself out of the moribund skin of mercantilism" (ibid.) The remaining essays consider such disparate topics as the population of the ancient world and the ideal form of political republics. Scotticisms, a short pamphlet published anonymously and without a title, unpicks the meaning behind various Scottish expressions. Although he was proud of his Scottish birth, Hume supported the ongoing campaign to establish a standard form of English, expunging any distinctively Scottish phrases from his own works. As it is often found together with Political Discourses, Scotticisms are traditionally dated 1752. This copy also includes the errata printed on page [iv], and the final advertisement leaf bound with Scotticisms. Provenance: Sylvester Douglas, 1st Baron Glenbervie (1743-1823), with his ownership inscription on the front free endpaper: "S Douglas Lincoln's Inn 1778 D. S. M.". Douglas, who served as Chief Secretary for Ireland and was one of the prosecutors of Warren Hastings, entered Lincoln's Inn in 1771. In 1779, he published a Treatise on the Provincial Dialect of Scotland. READ MORE Two works in one, octavo (176 x 112 mm), pp. [iv]; 6, [2]; 304. Contemporary sprinkled calf, rebacked with the original spine laid down, spine ruled, with tooled decoration, and with a later brown morocco label lettered in gilt, covers with a double-fillet panel in gilt, edges sprinkled red. Scotticisms complete with the final advertisement leaf. Infrequent contemporary pencil and ink annotations to contents. Extremities restored. Light scuffing to covers, faint offsetting to contents, minor browning, foxing, and small ink splashes to margins, short closed tear to contents leaf, neatly repaired: a very good copy. Political Discourses: Chuo 70; Einaudi 2957; ESTC T4007; Goldsmiths' 8689; Higgs 242; Jessop, p. 23; Kress 5210; Todd 1752 (1); see Mossner, pp. 269–71 and O'Brien, The Classical Economists, p. 7ff. Scotticisms: ESTC T47206; Jessop, p. 26; Todd 152 (1)–(2)