I thank you very much for your kind letter of the 17th August. I am
pleased to hear that your journey to Ireland turned out so well. The
account you give of the improvements before the check which they
received during the last two years, as well as of the situation of the
people, agrees exactly with what I should expect to find. Humbold[t] in
his account of New Spain[166] points out the very same evils as you do
in Ireland, proceeding too from the same cause. The land there yields a
great abundance of Bananas, Manioc, Potatoes, and Wheat, with very
little labour, and the people, having no taste for luxuries and having
abundance of food, have the privilege of being idle. No other advantage
would I think result from the disposable labour being employed in
manufactures than in preventing its being turned to profligate and
mischievous pursuits, dangerous to the public peace. Happiness is the
object to be desired, and we cannot be quite sure that, provided he is
equally well fed, a man may not be happier in the enjoyment of the
luxury of idleness than in the enjoyment of the luxuries of a neat
cottage and good clothes. And after all we do not know if these would
fall to his share. His labour might only increase the enjoyments of his
employer.
Mr. Smith has heard from Mr. Whishaw; he was at Paris when he wrote, on
the eve of recommencing his journey. I hope he may enjoy his tour. It is
a pity that he is without an agreeable companion; he is of so sociable a
disposition that he would have had pleasure in communicating his
feelings and comparing them with these of another intelligent person.
Mr. Smith has also heard from Mr. Warburton, who has set out on the very
same tour that I have been taking, with the addition of Holland, through
which country he means to pass. He has a very intelligent companion in
Dr. Woolaston[167].
At the very moment that we were beginning to despair of the weather it
has changed and is now beautiful. Our hopes will I trust not be
disappointed, and we shall be enabled safely to house the abundant crops
with which our lands in every country (_sic_) are loaded. I doubt
whether we have, even during the late distresses, ceased to advance as a
nation in wealth; but at present I think no one can doubt that we are
again making forward strides in prosperity. A bad harvest does not
perhaps very much check the progress of wealth; but it materially
interferes with the general happiness.
You flatter me very much by your second perusal of my book; and I am
happy to find that there are but a very few important points on which we
materially differ. I certainly allow that my theory of value does not
hold good in different countries when profits are different. If you look
to page 156 and the following pages you will see my ideas on that
subject[168].
It is only yesterday that I received the book from Dover which M. Say
entrusted me with for you; I send that and this letter together by Mrs.
Ricardo, who is going to London for a few days; she has undertaken to
send my parcel to the Hertford coach.
... If you go to Bath and do not come over to us I shall not know how to
forgive you.
I have heard lately from Mill; he is still hard at work in correcting
the press (_sic_) and finishing his book[169]. He tells me that Sir
Samuel and Lady Romilly are expected at Ford Abbey. I fully expect that
I shall see him here before he returns to London. I do not know when I
shall be obliged to go to town, but whenever it may happen I will let
you know, as I would not willingly forego any chance of meeting you. Mr.
Smith's house is the centre of attraction for all his able London
friends, and he is kind enough always to allow me to participate in the
pleasure which their company affords him. We have already had Mr.
Warburton and Mr. Belsham, and in a few days he expects to see Mr.
Mallet. Mr. Smith continues to reign pre-eminent in the good-will of all
his neighbours, and indeed I do not know any one who is entitled to
dispute the palm with him....
Ever yours truly,
DAVID RICARDO.
This is a sad blundering letter, bad even from me, but you must excuse
it, and will I am sure when I tell you that I am just recovering from
the languor and weakness caused by the powerful medicines which I have
been obliged to take.... The night before last I was very ill; yesterday
I was better, and to-day I have no complaint left but weakness.