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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1818
Sydney Smith to Francis Jeffrey, 9 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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Foston, August 9th, 1818.
My dear Friend,

I will tell you my opinion about Hone and his prosecution, and then you shall do just as you like in allotting the book to, or withholding it from, me.

I think the Administration did perfectly right in prosecuting him; for he either intended to bring the religion of his country into ridicule with the common people, or was blamably careless in not guarding against that consequence; but the punishments of libel are so atrocious and severe, that I almost doubt whether his total acquittal is not better than the establishment of his guilt would have been, followed by that enormous and disproportionate punishment which awaited it. Lord Ellenborough’s conduct was very absurd; and it was tyrannical and oppressive to prosecute the man three times. I have the same opinion which everybody else has of the bravery and talent exemplified in his defence; and his trial is rendered memorable by the improved method of striking a jury.

These are the outlines of my opinions on the subject, and I shall most cheerfully acquiesce in your sentence of Yes or No.

I had no idea of writing anything very new upon the subject of the Poor Laws, but something short and
158MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.
readable, which Chalmers has not done, for it is not possible to read his dissertation; but there may be some fear of clashing with him, and therefore perhaps I had better avoid the subject. I would not, of course, interfere with any subject you had intended to treat.

I will bore you as little with questions about the Review as possible; but do not think it necessary, in writing an answer, when you happen to be busy, to write more than a mere reply to the question.

We are just beginning our harvest here,—a very indifferent one; and water is not to be had for love or money. Ever, my dear Jeffrey, most truly yours,

Sydney Smith.