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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1814
Sydney Smith to Francis Jeffrey, [27] March 1814
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Author's Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Index
Editor’s Preface
Letters 1801
Letters 1802
Letters 1803
Letters 1804
Letters 1805
Letters 1806
Letters 1807
Letters 1808
Letters 1809
Letters 1810
Letters 1811
Letters 1812
Letters 1813
Letters 1814
Letters 1815
Letters 1816
Letters 1817
Letters 1818
Letters 1819
Letters 1820
Letters 1821
Letters 1822
Letters 1823
Letters 1824
Letters 1825
Letters 1826
Letters 1827
Letters 1828
Letters 1829
Letters 1830
Letters 1831
Letters 1832
Letters 1833
Letters 1834
Letters 1835
Letters 1836
Letters 1837
Letters 1838
Letters 1839
Letters 1840
Letters 1841
Letters 1842
Letters 1843
Letters 1844
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Heslington, March, 1814.
My dear Jeffrey,

When I tell you this is the last week of my old house, and that we are in all the agonies of departure and of packing up, you will excuse me that I have not written to you before. Accept my sincere congratulations, offered deliberately and upon reflection. The heart of man must have its cravings satisfied, as well as those of his belly. You have got a wife,—that is, something to love,—and you will be all the happier for it! I pronounce my benediction on the whole business.

I am obliged to you for the Review, which I have not had time to read. Brougham is, I believe, at York; but I have been away since the Circuit entered, and living at my farm-house lodgings, to superintend my buildings.

Pray explain to me what is or was intended, respecting the statues of Playfair and Stewart. I object to the marble compliment: it should have been a compliment in oil-paint, or, if marble, should have come down only to the shoulders; for if Playfair and Stewart (excellent men and writers as they are) are allowed marble from top to toe, what is there left for Newton, Washington, and Lord Wellington? My dilemma in this laudatory scheme is this:—if Playfair
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.115
and Stewart do not see the error and impropriety of the plan, they are not worthy of a statue; and if they do, it would be exceedingly wrong to erect one to them! People in England have a very bad habit of laughing at Scotch economy; and the supposition was that the statue was to be Januform, with Playfair’s face on one side, and Stewart’s on the other; and it certainly would effect a reduction in price, though it would be somewhat singular.

I have not read a paper for these four days; but this lingering war will not do for Buonaparte. The white cockade will be up, if he do not proceed more rapidly. I have no doubt but that the Bourbons must have a very large party in France, consisting of all those who love stability and peace better than eternal war and agitation; but these men have necessarily a great dread of Buonaparte,—a great belief in his skill, fortune, and implacability. It will take them years after he is killed to believe that he is dead.

Can I be of any service for the next number of the Review? I shall be very happy to be so, if anything occur, and if (as I now think I shall have) I have leisure to attend to it. We are all extremely well; Mrs. Sydney, never better. Pray remember me, dear Jeffrey, and say a good word for me if I die first. I shall say many for you in the contrary event!

When shall I see Scotland again? Never shall I forget the happy days I passed there, amidst odious smells, barbarous sounds, bad suppers, excellent hearts, and most enlightened and cultivated understandings!

Ever your most sincere friend,
S. S.