4 - ARGUING OUT THE TREATISE

Summary

Upon publication of the Treatise, Keynes received several private letters of reactions. Many of these pointed out misprints and have found use in the preparation of the new edition of volumes V and VI. Some, such as the following from Joseph Schumpeter, were more congratulatory:

From J. A. Schumpeter, 29 November 1930

Dear Keynes,

Very many thanks for your work on Money just to hand which you have been so kind as to send me. I want to congratulate you most heartily on this splendid achievement. It surpasses my understanding how you have managed to accomplish it among all the multifarious calls on your time and force to which I know you are exposed. This is truly a Ricardian tour de force, and must cause you the most intense satisfaction. I believe it will ever stand out as a landmark in its field.

Ever yours,

Joseph A. Schumpeter

However, as this next letter from D. H. Robertson indicates, some were more critical.

From D. H. Robertson, 7 January 1931

My dear Maynard,

I was drawn away from the Treatise by family Christmas, and the need to construct five 20-minute B.B.C. talks on World Finance, which begin tomorrow (7.25)—and which seem to have become little else than a summary of the Treatise! I shd. like to show you some of the later ones—about gold, Germany, etc.—before I spout them.