A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1841
Sydney Smith to Georgiana Meynell Ingram, December [1840]
Combe Florey, Dec. 1841.
My dear Georgina,
It is indeed a great loss* to me; but I have learnt to
live as a soldier does in war, expecting that, on any one moment, the best and
the dearest may be killed before his eyes.
Promise me, in the midst of these afflicting deaths, that
you will remain alive; and if Death does tap at the door, say, “I
can’t come; I have promised a parson to see him out.”
These verses were found in Lord
Holland’s room in his handwriting:—
“Nephew of Fox, and friend of Grey,— Enough my meed of fame, If those who deign’d to observe me say I tarnish’d neither name.” |
458 |
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. |
|
I have gout, asthma, and seven other maladies, but am
otherwise very well. God bless you, Gem of Needwood Forest!
Charles James Fox (1749-1806)
Whig statesman and the leader of the Whig opposition in Parliament after his falling-out
with Edmund Burke.
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.
Charles Grey, second earl Grey (1764-1845)
Whig statesman and lover of the Duchess of Devonshire; the second son of the first earl
(d. 1807), he was prime minister (1831-34).