Many thanks. The damsel will not take to the water, but we
have found another in the house who has long been accustomed to the water,
being no other than our laundry-maid. She had some little dread of
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 369 |
I think you will like Sir James Mackintosh’s Life; it is full of his own thoughts upon men, books, and events, and I derived from it the greatest pleasure. He makes most honourable mention of your mother, whom I only know by one of her productions,—enough to secure my admiration. It is impossible to read Mill’s violent attack upon Mackintosh without siding with the accused against the accuser. Can it be generally useful to speak with indecent contempt of a man whom so many men of sense admired, and who is no longer in the land of the living?
I should not scruple to draw upon your good-nature and kindness if I had any occasion to do so; but as to my French journey, the only use you can be of to me is, to be as amiable and agreeable when I see you at Boulogne, as I have found you on this side the water. I can only say a few winged words, and leave you a flying benediction, as I am going by Rouen, and mean to see a great deal in a little time. By the bye, I want to find a good sleeping-place between Rouen and Paris, as I wish to arrive at Paris in the day, time enough to find good quarters.
We have had charming weather; and all who come here, or have been here, have been delighted with our little paradise,—for such it really is; except that there is no serpent, and that we wear clothes. God bless you, dear Mrs. ——! My best and most friendly wishes attend you always.
