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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1842
Sydney Smith to Lady Grey, 10 January 1842
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Author's Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Index
Editor’s Preface
Letters 1801
Letters 1802
Letters 1803
Letters 1804
Letters 1805
Letters 1806
Letters 1807
Letters 1808
Letters 1809
Letters 1810
Letters 1811
Letters 1812
Letters 1813
Letters 1814
Letters 1815
Letters 1816
Letters 1817
Letters 1818
Letters 1819
Letters 1820
Letters 1821
Letters 1822
Letters 1823
Letters 1824
Letters 1825
Letters 1826
Letters 1827
Letters 1828
Letters 1829
Letters 1830
Letters 1831
Letters 1832
Letters 1833
Letters 1834
Letters 1835
Letters 1836
Letters 1837
Letters 1838
Letters 1839
Letters 1840
Letters 1841
Letters 1842
Letters 1843
Letters 1844
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Combe Florey, Jan. 10th, 1842.
My dear Lady Grey,

Tell me if you think this sketch is like,* and what important feature I have left out or misrepresented. Remember, it is not an éloge, but an analysis.

I heard, when I was in London, that my old correspondent, Archdeacon Singleton, would be the first Tory bishop. He is a great friend of Peel’s; they could not select a better man.

I pass my life in reading. The moment my eyes fail, I must give up my country preferment. I have met with nothing new or very well worth meeting, except the curious discoveries of ancient American cities in Mexico, by Stephens; which, I presume, has

* Enclosed in the above letter was the portrait of Lord Holland, to be found in the Memoir, p. 285.

MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.461
been read at Howick. I am very glad Lord Howick is in Parliament: his honesty, ability, and rank make it desirable for the country he should be there.

I hope Lord Grey has read, and likes, Macaulay’s review of Warren Hastings. It is very much admired. I believe he is unaffectedly glad to have given up office. Literature is his vocation.

I shall be very curious to know the impression America produces on Lord Morpeth. He is acute, and his opinions always very just. It is a fortunate thing for the world, that the separate American States are making such progress in dishonesty, and are absolutely and plainly refusing to pay their debts. They would soon have been too formidable, if they had added the moral power of good faith to their physical strength.

I beg my kind regards to Lord Grey and Lady Georgiana; and remain always, dear Lady Grey, with sincere respect and affection, your friend,

Sydney Smith.