ABSTRACT
When Malthus wrote to Clarke in February 1807 he concluded his letter with a post-script: ‘Wish you joy of your boy. I hope you will never go to Town without calling.’ The main purpose of the letter was to commiserate with Clarke on the Professorship of Modern History having been given to William Smyth. Malthus wrote:
Though Smyth is not rich, yet as he is an unmarried man I think he does not want the professorship so much as you, and I should have been still more happy to hear that it had fallen to the lot of you and your rib and your little one. However as you have not got it, I am glad that he has. As he has been so old a friend of Lord Henry's, it was rather to be expected, that he would have it.
I am delighted to hear that you are going on so brilliantly with your lectures, and I most sincerely hope that you will find them profitable, though I am told that I have no occasion to be fearful on that score, as you now seem to be rolling in wealth. 1
