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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1825
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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231.] To Lord Holland.
Foston, July 14th, 1825.
* * * * *

We stayed two days with Lord Essex, and were delighted with Cashiobury. I think you and I might catch some fish there next summer. He darkens his house too much with verandahs, and there are no hot luncheons; in return, he is affable, open-hearted, unaffected, and good-humoured in the highest degree. I am sorry I never went there before. I will always go in future when I can, and when I am asked.

The northern world is profoundly peaceful and prosperous; the reverse of everything we have prophesied in the Edinburgh Review for twenty years.

Sydney Smith.
232.] To Lady Holland.
August 25th, 1825.
* * * * *

—— has been extremely well received, and is much liked. His nature is fine: he wants ease, which will come; and indiscretion, which will never come.

I had a visit from the Earl of —— to my great surprise. I must do him the justice to say that nothing could be more agreeable and more amiable. To him succeeded some Genevese philosophers—not bad
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.247
in the country, where there is much time and few people: but they would not do in London.

My sermon, which I send you, was printed at the request of the English Catholic Committee.

I do not like Madame Bertin: I suspect all such books. You will read a review of mine, of Bentham’s ‘Fallacies,’ in the next Edinburgh Review.

The general report here is, that —— is to marry the King of Prussia. I call it rather an ambitious than a happy match. It will neither please Lord Holland, nor Allen, nor Whishaw.

Your sincere and affectionate
Sydney Smith.
233.] To the Countess Grey.
Newcastle, Oct. 4th, 1825.
Dear Lady Grey,

I have been on a visit to Brougham, where I met Mackintosh. We had a loyal week, and spoke respectfully of all existing authorities. A pretty place; Brougham very pleasant; Mackintosh much improved in health. Mrs. Brougham is a very fine old lady, whom I took to very much.

From Brougham I went to Howard of Corby,—an excellent man, believing in the Pope; and from thence I proceeded to Ord’s, over the most heaven-forgotten country I ever saw. Ord lives in this very beautiful, inaccessible place at the end of the world, very comfortably.

I now write from a vile inn at Newcastle, where I can get neither beef, veal, nor sealing-wax.

I have a great prejudice against soldiers, but thought
248MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.
Mr. —— agreeable, and with a good deal of humour.

I am very much pleased that the Howards intend to live on at Castle Howard. They are very excellent people, and I am most fortunate in having such neighbours.

S. S.
234.] To Francis Jeffrey, Esq.
Foston, 1825.
My dear Jeffrey,

I addressed a letter to you ten days since, mentioning some subjects which, if agreeable to you, I would discuss in the Edinburgh Review. I know the value and importance of your time enough to make me sorry to intrude upon you again; but the printer, you know, is imperious in his demands, and limited in his time. Will you excuse me for requesting as early an answer as you can? It must be to you, as I am sure it is to me, a real pleasure to see so many improvements taking place, and so many abuses destroyed;—abuses upon which you, with cannon and mortars, and I with sparrow-shot, have been playing for so many years.

Mrs. Sydney always sends you reproaches for not coming to see her as you pass and repass; but I always reply to her, that the loadstone has no right to reproach the needle for not coming from a certain distance. The answer of the needle is, “Attract me, and I will come; I am passive.” “Alas! it is beyond my power,” says the magnet. “Then don’t blame me,” says the needle.

Sydney Smith.
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