The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 628 - 311 More and More Clouds of Suspicion Over Liverpool_2

What was even more perplexing was that nobody knew how these two economists had ended up together.

In terms of background, Thomas Malthus hailed from a typical upper-class British family, while David Ricardo was a discriminated Jewish immigrant.

In terms of education, Thomas Malthus was an outstanding graduate from Cambridge, holding a Master’s degree and a fellowship at Jesus College, Cambridge. In contrast, David Ricardo had only attended a business school in the Netherlands for two years. Beyond self-study, his understanding of economics came from hands-on experience trading at the London Stock Exchange with his father since he was fourteen.

Even in terms of personality, the two were worlds apart.

David Ricardo was an undeniable playboy; as a retired stockbroker with a fortune of 1.6 million pounds, his romantic life outside of work was also rich. Juggling stocks while circulating among several ladies was a course he had mastered well.

Whereas Thomas Malthus, due to congenital cleft lip and unclear speech, suffered from a certain lack of confidence, and being a priest with firm beliefs, he had long lived a life of seclusion, even appearing like a true ethicist at social gatherings.

As for academia, Thomas Malthus led the typical life of an academic, yet his academic reports often utilized numerous observed real-life instances.

David Ricardo, although rich in life experiences and even having served as a member of parliament for several years, was a true theorist through and through.

In terms of social reputation, the two were poles apart.

After the publication of "Principles of Population," Thomas Malthus was engulfed in controversy, with people accusing him of defending evils such as smallpox, slavery, and infanticide in his book. This wave of public opinion reached a climax when he announced his marriage, with everyone mocking him for practicing the vices he had advocated controlling in birth rates.

While David Ricardo, although a Jewish parliamentarian, was evidently far more popular in the House of Commons than Mr. Disraeli. Even though he didn’t accomplish much during his time there, many members still generously applauded his passionate speeches.

As for John Stuart Mill himself, due to his father’s cordial relationship with David Ricardo, he had also received much guidance from this master of classical economics. Under Ricardo’s introduction, he had apprenticed with the reluctant socializer Thomas Malthus before entering Haileybury.

Upon hearing this, Arthur’s look towards Mill changed.

Usually, mentors of such stature are few in an era, and to have even one of them as a teacher is a great fortune in life.

However, Mill had managed to secure guidance from four such individuals, a track record that was already setting him up to be a colossus in the field of British economics.

Arthur, holding his teacup, mused, "With your father’s personal teaching, along with instruction from Mr. Bentham, David Ricardo, and Thomas Malthus, John, you indeed needn’t bother attending university. Oxford and Cambridge combined couldn’t offer you this caliber of a starting lineup. Have you considered quitting your job at the East India Company? I heard that the University of London is looking for a professor of political economy."

Mill shook his head, "I’m not interested in teaching; I would rather engage in some practical work than interact with students. Besides, the job at the company is relatively easy and allows me more free time to write articles and do things I am interested in."

"Fair enough," Arthur joked, "Look at me, I’m just like a dog being ordered about by Scotland Yard, tied up without much mental preparation and kicked over to Liverpool."

Mill laughed, "Come off it, Arthur, you have a promising future. Even if you’re pessimistic, at times like this, it’s better to look on the bright side. As a police superintendent at Scotland Yard, there aren’t many left who can kick you around. Look, the company even sent Mr. Malthus to curry favor with you, didn’t they?"

Arthur responded, "That’s not how I see it. I hold no biased views against Mr. Malthus. But as you said earlier, the symbolic meaning of a political economy professor coming to Liverpool far outweighs the practical significance. Rather than saying the East India Company brought him over to assist me, it’s more like they wanted to severely embarrass the authorities in Liverpool. What baffles me even more is that the Home Office and Customs agreed to this suggestion."

Mill asked, "Do you think the Home Office shouldn’t have accepted the company’s suggestion?"

"Exactly."

Arthur nodded, "Everyone knows what Malthus wrote in ’Principles of Population.’ Perhaps when he described smallpox in that Chapter, he just wanted to objectively state the disease’s role in curbing population growth. But that doesn’t stop everyone from thinking he’s a cruel murderer who wants to eradicate the poor with disease."

Perhaps his student team could assist with the audits, but sending Mr. Malthus himself to Liverpool at this time is definitely not a wise choice. It’s not about helping me but causing trouble for me, or rather, for the already precarious public order in Liverpool."

Given Mill’s status, Arthur didn’t make his concerns too explicit, but it was enough for Mill.

He understood that Arthur meant the East India Company had bad intentions in sending Malthus over.