A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Chapter VIII
Sydney Smith to Edward John Littleton, 7 November 1828
“Lower College Green, Bristol,
“November 7, 1828.
“My dear Littleton,—Many thanks for your game,
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 217 |
and for
your entertaining and interesting letter from Ireland. I direct to your country
place, not knowing exactly where you will be, and presuming Mrs. Littleton will know. Putting all things
together, I think something will be done. The letter from the three foolish
noblemen, the failure of Penenden-heath to excite a general and tumultuous
feeling, are all very favourable. I share in your admiration of Lord Anglesey’s administration; I have
reason to believe Ministers are a little dissatisfied with his disposition to
oratory, which is thought undignified and rash in a Vice-King.
“At Bristol, on the 5th of November, I gave the Mayor and
Corporation (the most Protestant Mayor and Corporation in England) such a dose
of toleration, as shall last them for many a year. A deputation of pro-Popery papers waited on me today to print, but I
declined. I told the Corporation, at the end of my sermon, that beautiful rabbinical
story quoted by Jeremy Taylor,
‘As Abraham was sitting at the door of his
tent,’ etc. etc., which, by the bye, would make a charming and
useful placard against the bigoted.
“Be assured I shall make a discreet use of the
intelligence you give me, and compromise you in nothing.
“Remember me, if you please, to Wilmot Horton when you write; I like him very
much, and take a sincere interest in his welfare.
“Ever yours, dear
Littleton, very sincerely,
“Sydney Smith.”
Sir Robert John Wilmot- Horton, third baronet (1784-1841)
Byron's cousin; he was MP for Newcastle under Lyme (1818-30), governor of Ceylon
(1831-37), and was Augusta Leigh's representative at the destruction of Byron's memoir; he
succeeded to his title in 1834.
Edward John Littleton, first baron Hatherton (1791-1863)
The son of Morton Walhouse, educated at Rugby and at Brasenose College, Oxford; he was MP
for Staffordshire (1812-22) and South Staffordshire (1832-35). He was Irish secretary
(1833-34), raised to the peerage in 1835.
Henry William Paget, first marquess of Anglesey (1768-1854)
Originally Bayly, educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford; he was MP
(1790-1810), commander of cavalry under Sir John Moore, lost a leg at Waterloo, and raised
to the peerage 1815; he was lord-lieutenant of Ireland (1828-29, 1830-33).