I have been expecting you, both yesterday and to-day, and it is only
after a most laborious calculation that I am led to suspect that the
meeting of your Club is not till next Saturday. Next Friday then, or any
earlier day, I hope we shall see you in Brook Street; and I am desired
by Mrs. Ricardo to say that, if Mrs. Malthus will also favour us with
her company, she will be very happy to see her. If you should come on or
before Friday, the printer will not before that day want that part of
my MS. which I sent to you; but, if he uses due diligence, he will
certainly be ready for it about that time. If you have any remarks to
make on it which will require much consideration on my part, be so good
as to send it me before, for, as the time approaches that I am to appear
in print, I seem to become more dissatisfied with my work, and less
capable to give any proposition contained in it a patient investigation.
It is now 5 o'clock; and, notwithstanding my doubts have been gathering
strength since the morning, I am but just convinced, after tracing back
with Mr. Hitchings the day you were last here, that I shall not see you
this day.
In great haste, yours very truly,