[Letter] March 10,1893,Northampton [to F.H. Giddings]

March 10, 1893, Northampton.

Dear Friend,
       I can say
ditto to your letter. It
has been a period of
interruptions, and today
I gave up, surrendered,
stopped work, though it
is a working day. The
book is for the time
being at a stand-still,
though I hope it will start
again soon. Nearly
all is sketched in the
briefest abstract, and
a first draft is made of
about four chapters.
At least twelve more are
to be written at length;
and even then the book
will be a tentative
edition of Part I of the
comprehensive work.
 I hear the Vienna
men take sharp exception
to the notion that value
is social. This I like
immensely. It differentiates
their studies from the theory
that I believe is right.
I have not any misgivings
as the question of maintaining
this point at least, whatever
else may have to yield.
 I am fussing over
a house. An artist-architect
has drawn a beautiful and
unpractical plan; and it
has to be done over on the
interior. If I can get it as
convenient as it is comely I
shall be satisfied, if only the
cost does not mount
into the upper ether. The
estimate is all right, but
will the carpenters follow
it? I fear not. It is
in colonial style, nearly
square, with a big Ionic
porch in front, dormers in
roof, and a railing around
the top.
This sketch does not err
by being a work of art.
 Have you seen the
Duke of Argyle's ( )
book on the Unseen
Foundations of Society?
I ran over a little of
it the other day. The
only American name I
saw was Henry George's; but
I encountered a lot of
American ideas. The N.Y.
Tribune says the current
systems of Economics "will
all have to be called in
for repairs" in consequence
of this book. They may
have to be revamped
some; but not mainly
by reason of this book I
think. It would be
queer if so big a volume
did not do something
in the way of alteration
of systems.
 Next term. I hope
to have leisure to move
on a little. The Amherst
people may want me to
double my work; but I
hope they will not. If
they leave it as it now is
I can get on and show
some results.
 I wonder whether
we are to be in some
way provided for in the
matter of accommodations
at Chicago in Sept.?
If there is a local
committee I could write
and engage a room or
rooms well in advance.
I want to see the shore for
a while before our
association meets.
 I see an appointment
claims me just now.
They are coming in
quick succession.

      Yours Very Truly,
           J. B. Clark