I thank you for your kind and friendly letter, which gave
me great pleasure. I am exempted at present from residence, as preacher to the
Foundling Hospital; had it been otherwise, I could, I think, have lived very
happily in the country, in armigeral, priestly, and swine-feeding society. I
have given up the Royal Institution. My wife and children are well, and the
world at present goes prosperously with me. I shall pass part of next summer at
my living, and in all probability come over to Edinburgh. Sharp, Boddington, Philips, and
Horner come into Parliament this
session. I say nothing of foreign politics in the present state of the world:
we live and hope only from quarter-day to quarter-day. I shall probably remain
nearly in the state I am now in till next midsummer. I have not a thought
beyond: perhaps it is rash to think so far. I have seen Stuart once; he seems tor-
22 | MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. |
Tell Murray that I was much struck with the politeness of Miss Markham the day after he went. In carving a partridge, I splashed her with gravy from head to foot; and though I saw three distinct brown rills of animal juice trickling down her cheek, she had the complaisance to swear that not a drop had reached her! Such circumstances are the triumphs of civilized life.
I shall be truly happy to see you again. What do you mean by saying we shall meet soon? Have you any immediate thoughts of coming to London? Remember me kindly to Murray, Thomson, Alison, Playfair, etc. I am very glad you see so much of these latter personages. Tell Playfair I have presented the four copies of his book to four of the most beautiful women of my acquaintance, with his particular compliments and regards.