Nor need I dwell upon Hume's short tenure of office in London, as Under-Secretary of State, between 1767 and 1769.

Success and wealth are rarely interesting, and Hume's case is no exception to the rule.
According to his own description the cares of official life were not overwhelming.
"My way of life here is very uniform and by no means disagreeable.
I have all the forenoon in the Secretary's house, from ten till three, when there arrive from time to time messengers that bring me all the secrets of the kingdom, and, indeed, of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

I am seldom hurried; but have leisure at intervals to take up a book, or write a private letter, or converse with a friend that may call for me; and from dinner to bed-time is all my own.

If you add to this that the person with whom I have the chief, if not only, transactions, is the most reasonable, equal-tempered, and gentleman-like man imaginable, and Lady Aylesbury the same, you will certainly think I have no reason to complain; and I am far from complaining.

I only shall not regret when my duty is over; because to me the situation can lead to nothing, at least in all probability; and reading, and sauntering, and lounging, and dozing, which I call thinking, is my supreme happiness--I mean my full contentment." Hume's duty was soon over, and he returned to Edinburgh in 1769, "very opulent" in the possession of L1,000 a year, and determined to take what remained to him of life pleasantly and easily.