282.: mill to ricardo2[Reply to 280.—Answered by 284] - David Ricardo, The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 7 Letters 1816-1818 [1816]
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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.
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First published by Cambridge University Press in 1951. Copyright 1951, 1952, 1955, 1973 by the Royal Economic Society. This edition of The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo is published by Liberty Fund, Inc., under license from the Royal Economic Society.
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282.
mill to ricardo
[Reply to 280.—Answered by 284]
Qu. Square Westr. 18th. Novr. 1818
My Dear Sir
I can only write a few lines, for I am still hardly able to write at all—and I am dunned excessively for two articles to the Suppl. of Encyc. Brit.—But I think it necessary to tell you, that I read your two discourses immediately when I received them, and with the greatest satisfaction. I assure you I speak nothing but the plain truth when I say that they exceeded my expectation—the arguments are given neatly, perspicuously, and strongly; and, delivered just as they are written, would have a strong effect. I will give you a more detailed criticism as soon as I am able. But I find it a very difficult thing this time to get well. Nor do I well know what is the matter with me. The seat of the malady is in the intestinal canal; but I am weak, and languid, and disorganized, to a degree that I hardly ever was before.
I have not been able yet to see Mrs. Ricardo—but am happy to hear that Mr. Moses thinks Miss R. less ill than he expected—so that I fear we shall not see you before Xtmass. I am very sorry to hear that you have objections to her choice in a material affair, because I fear they must apply to the character, and not the circumstances of the party in question, which latter consideration would with you I am satisfied appear of no great weight. As to the disparity of years, in the second case, though as you say, they are on the wrong side, yet, if the parties are wise, that disparity, when it comes to be an inconvenience, can always be settled without the smallest disturbance to the mutual union. The young man will possess an invaluable friend, if he treats her as she will eminently deserve, and as from your character of him, there is every probability that he will.
I am very proud of my letter from Mrs. Osman Ricardo, which does her great credit, and shews that she reads with her own thoughts, not with thoughts borrowed from other people. What she says, that it is impossible to read Julie without wishing to be better, was the conclusion which struck me the first time I read the book. Please to present to her my very best compliments, and tell her I shall thank her very heartily for so generously accepting my bargain, as soon as I am in spirits enough to dare to attempt a letter to a young beauty.
By the bye, there is some mistake about the book—for both her letter and yours say that it was sent, but it has not come.
I really am not able to write news—and so adieu.
Most faithfully yours
J. Mill