[Letter] April 20,1890,Smith College [to F.H. Giddings]

April 20, 1890, Smith College.

Dear Friend,
      By all means let
the Value study go till
Fall. By all means
also let enough other
work go to give you
a decided rest. I am on
a bit of vacation myself.
Dr. Ely is here, having
lectured last evening. He
speaks, also at the college,
at 2 today, and I then
drive with him to Springfield,
where he takes a train for
New York-Baltimore. He
gave a good lecture.
 Would you mind
telling me whether you
would like the Wesleyan
position, about to be
vacated by Prof. Wilson, if
it were to be offered to
you? It would please
me much to have you
there. I have been twice
asked by a friend of the
college, not a trustee,
whether I would consider the
place. I do not know whether the trustees
have such an idea, on their part, or not.
I gave wholly evasive replies. If you
would consider the place, and if they were
inclined to try to get you that would
settle all doubt in my own mind, if
it is not settled already. I am conservative
and do not myself propose to make changes
of doubtful advantage. Please be absolutely
frank. The chances are decidedly that even if you were
to say no, I should say the same. If you were to say yes I
should rejoice on all accounts, since it would settle all my
possible doubts and bring you to my
nearer vicinity. I think Prof. Wilson can
decisively influence the appointment, and
that he is well disposed to you.
 Prof. Hewitt of Cornell made inquiries
concerning you as though they were
hesitating between you and Dr. Shaw. Now
Shaw is I think, to go there in another
capacity, and the Economic Chair is still
vacant. I think there is a chance not to be
despised there.

           Yours Very Truly,
                 J. B. Clark