7 So Charlotte St
Edinburgh
1st April 1870
My Dear Professor Schaarschmidt,
I should have written much sooner to thank you for your kind letter and testimonial; but have been overwhelmed during the past winter with more work than I ever undertook before. At length however I am free from a good part of my work. I was very sorry to hear of your illness. I hope that it has left no permanent bad effects and that you are now in your usual health. I was glad to hear of Fritz’s good progress but I hope he is not at his age going to overwork himself.
Thanks to the kindness of yourself and other friends I have been able to issue a series of testimonials which have proved very useful for my candidature. The election by the General Assembly of the Church is not till May, but meantime the various Presbyteries have been recommending names and mine has been very well received. I have however one very formidable opponent who I fear is intriguing a little in addition to legitimate canvassing. One thing in my favour is that I taught a Hebrew Class this winter in the New College — a class of Grammar, and succeeded in interesting my pupils by explaining the philosophical principles as far as could be done to beginners. I believe this experience will be very much in my favour.
I have also written an article for the “British Quarterly Review” on Ewald, Kuenen[2] of Leiden and other recent continental critics which I hope may help me. The article appears in the number for this month. I do not think you get this Review in the Bonn Library. I should like to send you a copy but I am not sure if I shall find an opportunity.
Did I mention to you that a wish has been expressed in one of our leading journals for the completion of your work on Spinoza by a Latin translation which would enable Englishmen to appreciate the new tract. Your edition was highly praised but few Englishmen can make anything of the Dutch. They can only read your Preface. I have begun to read Dutch since visiting Holland last autumn & find Dutch Theology at least not hard. Is there anything of consequence in Dutch Philosophy?
Many thanks for your trouble in trying to find Lange. I believe a line from him might still be of use to me if you think you could get one from him. I must apologise for again putting you to trouble but am encouraged by the interest you have always so kindly taken in my plans.
With best regards to Mrs. Schaarschmidt
Fritz & Hetta
Believe me
Yours very sincerely
Wm R. Smith
[1] ULB Bonn Autographensammlung
[2] Kuenen, Abraham (1828–1891): Dutch Protestant theologian educated at the University of Leiden. Initially a follower of Heinrich Ewald’s theology, Kuenen, like Scholten, became one of the more radical of contemporary Continental theologians. In 1882 Kuenen travelled to England to deliver the Hibbert lectures.