From what you said when you left London it is probable that you will not
be at the Club on Saturday next. If your visit to town should be
deferred till the following Tuesday we have a bed at your service--it is
now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Smith, our Gloucestershire friends. In case
you should come sooner I hope you will be able to pass much of your time
with us. Our breakfast hour is now at so reasonable a time that I hope
you will take that meal with us the first morning you are in London, and
then settle how often we shall see you at dinner.
I suppose you have been too busy in official occupations, since we last
met, to have made much progress in the writings which you have in hand.
I hope, however, that you will be prepared to give the public the result
of your well considered opinions in due season. We have a right to look
to you for the correction of some difficulties and contradictions with
which Political Economy is encumbered[137].
Major Torrens tells me that he shall work hard for the next few months,
so that we may expect a book on the same subject from him next year. He
continues to hold some heretical opinions on money and exchange,
notwithstanding Mr. Mill and I have exerted all our eloquence to bring
him to the right faith. We, however, have succeeded in removing some of
the obscurity which clouds his vision on the principles of exchange. He
is, I think, quite a convert to _all_ what you have called my peculiar
opinions on profits, rent, etc. etc., so that I may fairly say that I
hold no principles on Political Economy which have not the sanction
either of your or his authority, which renders it much less important
that I should persevere in the task which I commenced of giving my
opinions to the public. Those principles will be much more ably
supported either by you or by him than I could attempt to support them.
My labours have wholly ceased for two months; whether in the quiet and
calm of the country I shall again resume them is very doubtful. My
vanity has not received sufficient stimulus to remove the temptation
which is constantly offering itself to the indulgence of my idle habits.
The fine weather is come opportunely for your vacation. I suppose you
will commence your travels without much delay. I hope we shall meet at
Gatcomb before you return home.
Believe me,
Ever truly yours,
DAVID RICARDO.