I hear you laugh at me for being happy in the country, and
upon this I have a few words to say. In the first place, whether one lives or
dies, I hold, and have always held, to be of infinitely less moment than is
generally supposed; but if life is to be, then it is common sense to amuse
yourself with the best you can find where you happen to be placed. I am not
leading precisely the life I should choose, but that which (all things
considered, as well as I could consider them) appeared to me to be the most
eligible. I am resolved, therefore, to like it, and to reconcile myself to it;
which is more manly than to feign myself above it, and to send up complaints by
the post, of being thrown away, and being desolate, and such like trash. I am
prepared, therefore, either way. If the chances of life ever enable me to
emerge, I will show you that I have not been wholly occupied by small and
sordid pursuits. If (as the greater probability is) I am come to the end of my
career, I give myself quietly up to horticulture, etc. In short, if it be my
lot to crawl, I will crawl contentedly; if to fly, I will fly with alacrity;
but, as
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 57 |
I beg pardon for saying so much of myself, but I say it upon this subject once for all.
We had a meeting of our Club last Saturday, and a very agreeable one, where your journey to Spain was criticized at much length. Some inclined to this opinion, others to that,—but upon my mentioning that several agreeable dinners at Holland House were irretrievably lost, there was a perfect unanimity of opinion. Sharpe said, “It was a blow.”
I met —— in the Strand today. He had the two first sheets of his poem in his pocket, and I believe nothing else, for he told me he had spent all his money, and was rather put to it.
Poor Dumont has lost his sister, and is in great affliction; but he dines with me on Saturday, and I hope to raise up the pleasures Nos. 13 and 24.
No news of any kind, except that this pert and silly answer of Canning’s to the citizens has made a considerable impression in the City. Some say that Lord Hawksbury attempted this piece of pertness in imitation of Canning.
I have read the Review, and like the review of Rose exceedingly. How can any one dislike it? Parliamentary Reform
exceedingly good, with some objections; Miss
Edgeworth over-praised; Strabo, by Payne Knight,
excellent; the Bakerian Lectures
very good;
| 58 | MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. |
I am about to open the subject of classical learning in the Review, from which, by some accident or other, it has hitherto abstained. It will give great offence, and therefore be more fit for this journal, the genius of which seems to consist in stroking the animal the contrary way to that which the hair lies.
I dare say it cost you much to part with Charles; but in the present state of the world, it is better to bring up our young ones to war than to peace. I burn gunpowder every day under the nostrils of my little boy, and talk to him often of fighting, to put him out of conceit with civil sciences, and prepare him for the evil times which are coming!
Ever, respectfully and affectionately, your sincere friend,
