The person in question—or rather, the parson in question,—Mr. ——, is respectable, of small preferment, large family, good private fortune, moderate understanding, great expectations from relations; a sincere friend to the emancipation of the Catholics, when there was danger and merit in publishing such opinions.
Once for all—I take it for granted that neither Lord Grey nor you think me such an absurd coxcomb
as to imagine that, with inferior information, experience, and talents, I can
offer any advice to Lord Grey; the truth is, that I attach
such very little importance to my own opinions, that I have never the slightest
objection to give them. And so, without any more preamble, or any repetition of
preamble, I will tell you from time to time what occurs to me. I take it for
granted you are prepared to make Peers, to force the measure if it fail again,
and I would have this intention half-officially communicated in all the great
towns before the Bill was brought in. If this is not done—I mean, if Peers are
not made—there will be a general convulsion, end-
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 319 |
