[Thomas Tooke, Victorian economist, throws over Charles Babbage for a 'superior attraction'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Thos. Tooke') to 'Mrs. Hawes', regarding a dinner invitation, sending three trout caught by his son in the Itchen.

In 1821, along with Ricardo, Malthus, James Mill, and others, Tooke founded the Political Economy Club. Although Carlyle is unlikely to have had him specifically in mind, Tooke is the archetypal 'Professor of the Dismal Science'. 2pp, 18mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. Folded twice. Twenty-eight lines of text, neatly and closely written. He has 'deferred acknowledging' his answer to her 'kind invitation' to dinner on the coming Saturday until seeing his son, who has been 'out of town on a fishing excursion'. The son is 'just now returned to town', and cannot attend because of 'an engagement at a very late dinner in the Regent's park on that evening'. The son sends '3 trout by the bearer, which were caught yesterday evening in the Itchen near Winchester; hoping that they will be in time for your dinner to-day'. Rather than spend time with the celebrated computer pioneer Charles Babbage, Tooke will be attending her 'soirée on Saturday sacrificing most readily Mr. Babbage to your superior attraction'.