From context in the discussion of all 3 orders, I’d say “the public” should be read as synonymous with “the society,” also noted by Smith as the “general interest” to which the other two orders are inseparably linked. The alternative would seem to be everyone *but* the laborers–and women. Smith’s discussion of landowners refers to “when the public deliberates concerning any regulation….” Then under the laborers,”[i]n the public deliberations, therefore, [the laborer's] voice is little heard and less regarded.” Ain’t that the truth. What I find most enlightening, though, is the text right above your quote about superiority over the country gentleman and knowledge of the public interest: “As [the merchants'] thoughts, however, are commonly exercised rather about the interest of their own particular branch of business than about that of the society, their judgment, even when given with the greatest candor (which it has not been upon every occasion) is much more to be depended on with regard to the former of those two objects, than with regard to the latter.” Puts “the society” cheek by jowl with “the public interest.”

OFF TOPIC, but given that you recently wrote that you needed money; have you thought of selling the rights to turn your works into an RPG setting?

As for “race,” yeah. I’m going to remember that one.