[1] In 1883 Trollope gave it as his opinion that The Three Clerks was a better novel than any of his earlier ones, which included The Warden and Barchester Towers.

Alaric meanwhile, becomes a Commissioner, but he falls under the influence of an unscrupulous member of Parliament, Undy Scott, who talks him into various schemes of dubious legality and morality, which eventually lead to his downfall.

Charley Tudor is considered a rake, who spends his time at London's public houses and gin palaces.

[8] Christopher Harvie wrote that "The courtship and domestic comedy element is too trite", and called the whole novel "not very successful".

Another modern critic complained that "Trollope slipped into an accusatory tone and heavy-handed characterization that qualified as caricature of the public-service men who controlled the fate of the clerks he depicted.