Item 119 - William Whewell to Richard Jones

Trinity College WW thinks RJ is right in resolving to explain himself further: 'If you want to see how it may be needed read the enclosed letter of Pryme [George Pryme] which I have just got and which I treacherously communicate to you the object of his criticisms. You will perceive how deeply the notion is burnt into these people that Ricardo's theory is good because he analyses the circumstances. The young Londoners have got the same fancy - most of the rest of Pryme's critique is stupid enough'. WW is to be one of the council of the Royal Society: 'My main reason for not refusing this is my dislike to be coupled with the Babbagian sect of spewers or railers; for in truth I do not see much chance of good coming of it'. Concerning Ricardo's analysis of rent, 'cannot it be shewn that it impossible to discriminate between the payment for the original powers of the soil, and for improvements?'