A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1832
Sydney Smith to John Allen, 3 November 1832
Nov. 3rd, 1832.
My dear Allen,
I saw Mackintosh: he
wishes that his father’s work should be as he left it, without any
addition; in other words, the statue, without a modern nose or arm. Upon
reflection, I should feel as he does: pray talk to Lord Holland on the subject, and send me your united opinions.
We are the natural guardians of Mackintosh’s literary fame; will that not be in some
degree tainted and exposed to ridicule, if his history is furnished by a
regular Paternoster hack? My leaning is, that such would be the consequence;
and I told Mackintosh I would consult Holland House and
tell him the result, but that I leant to his opinions.
Believe me, truly yours,
Sydney Smith.
Henry Richard Fox, third baron Holland (1773-1840)
Whig politician and literary patron; Holland House was for many years the meeting place
for reform-minded politicians and writers. He also published translations from the Spanish
and Italian;
Memoirs of the Whig Party was published in 1852.
Sir James Mackintosh (1765-1832)
Scottish philosopher and man of letters who defended the French Revolution in
Vindiciae Gallicae (1791); he was Recorder of Bombay (1803-1812) and
MP for Knaresborough (1819-32).
Robert James Mackintosh (1806-1864)
The son and biographer of Sir James Mackintosh; he was lieutenant governor of Saint
Christopher (1847-1850) and governor of Antigua (1850-1855).