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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1818
Sydney Smith to Lord Grey, 24 August 1818
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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York, August 24th, 1818.
Dear Lord Grey,

I am very desirous to hear what your vote is about Walter Scott. I think it excellent,—quite as good as any of his novels, excepting that in which Claverhouse is introduced, and of which I forget the name. I read it with the liveliest interest; he repeats his characters, but it seems they will bear repetition. I have heard no votes, but those of Lord and Lady Holland and John Allen against, and Lord and Lady Lansdowne for, the book.

I congratulate you on the general turn of the elections, and the serious accession of strength to the Whigs.

Brougham seems to have made an excellent stand against the Lonsdales; and if Lord Thanet will back him again, he will probably carry his point. The To-
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.159
ries here are by no means satisfied with ——, who is subjected to vacillations between right and wrong. They want a man steadily base, who may be depended upon for want of principle. I think on these points Mr. —— might satisfy any reasonable man; but they are exorbitant in their demands.

We conquered here the whooping-cough with a pennyworth of salt of tartar, after having filled them with the expensive poisons of Halford. What an odd thing that such a specific should not be more known!

Adieu, my dear Lord! Ever yours, with sincere attachment and respect,

Sydney Smith.