A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
        Letters 1834
        Sydney Smith to Anne Louisa Baring, [July] 1834
        
        
          
        
        
          
        
       
      
      
      
      
     
     
    
    
      Weymouth-street, Portland-place, 1834. 
      
     
    
     I have a favour to ask: could you lend our side such a
                                    thing as a Chancellor of the Exchequer?
                                    Some of our people are too little,—some too much in love,—some too ill. We will
                                    take great care of him, and return him so improved you will hardly know him. 
    
     You will be glad to hear my eyes are better—nearly well.
                                    Ever sincerely yours, 
    
    
     P.S.—What is real piety? What is true attach-![]()
| 352 | MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. |  | 
![]() ment to the Church? How are these fine feelings best
                                        evinced? The answer is plain: by sending strawberries to a clergyman. Many
                                        thanks.
ment to the Church? How are these fine feelings best
                                        evinced? The answer is plain: by sending strawberries to a clergyman. Many
                                        thanks. 
    
    
    Lady Anne Louisa Baring  [née Bingham]   (d. 1848)  
                  Philadelphia heiress, daughter of Senator William Bingham, who in 1798 married the
                        English financier Alexander Baring, afterwards Baron Ashburton. She was a society
                        hostess.
               
 
    John Charles Spencer, third earl Spencer  (1782-1845)  
                  English politician, son of the second earl (d. 1834); educated at Harrow and Trinity
                        College, Cambridge, he was Whig MP for Northamptonshire (1806-34) and chancellor of the
                        exchequer and leader of the lower house under Lord Grey (1830).