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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow 152.: malthus to ricardo2[Reply to 150.—Answered by 153] - The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 7 Letters 1816-1818

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152.: malthus to ricardo2[Reply to 150.—Answered by 153] - David Ricardo, The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 7 Letters 1816-1818 [1816]

Edition used:

The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, ed. Piero Sraffa with the Collaboration of M.H. Dobb (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2005). Vol. 7 Letters 1816-1818.

Part of: The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, 11 vols (Sraffa ed.)

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


152.

malthus to ricardo2
[Reply to 150.—Answered by 153]

My dear Sir,

I am glad to hear you are coming to Town and hope you do not return before the beginning of next week, as I have some thoughts of being at the Club3 next saturday, and of endeavouring to see you friday or that day. Let me have a line to say where you are likely to be, and when you leave London.

I think I shall follow your advice and take my time about the Edition I find Murray is not so impatient as I expected.

Can you give me a good reason why the money price of labour should rise because it is necessary to cultivate poorer land, and the real price of labour must fall.

In the progress of cultivation, independently of any causes but such progress, it appears to me that the money price of corn will rise, but not much, the money price of labour remain stationary nearly, and the money price of manufactured good fall from the fall of profits.

If farmers and landholders are obliged to pay more and more in parish rates for their labour, or employ more men than their farm naturally requires, will they be able to accumulate capital and purchase the other instruments necessary for cultivation.

In haste.

Ever truly Yours

T R Malthus.

[2 ]Addressed: ‘D. Ricardo Esqr / Stock Exchange/London’.

[3 ]The King of Clubs.