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.
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).