A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1844
Sydney Smith to Lady Grey, 22 April 1844
I hear from all quarters, dear Lady Grey, that Lord Grey is
going on as well as possible; that is, that he is keeping pace with my hopes
and wishes. Has Lord Grey read the Edinburgh Review? The article on Barrère is by Macaulay, that upon Lord St. Vincent by Barrow. I think the latter very entertaining;
but it was hardly worth while to crucify Barrère: Macaulay might as well have
selected Turpin.
I have no news to tell you. It is generally thought the
Duke of Wellington has been unguarded
about the Directors. Peel’s Bank
plan is admired and approved; so is the appointment of Hardinge.
God bless you, dear Lady
Grey!
Yours affectionately,
Sydney Smith.
Bertrand Barère de Vieuzac (1755-1841)
French journalist, revolutionary politician, and regicide who was one of the first to
turn on Robespierre.
Sir John Barrow, first baronet (1764-1848)
English traveler, secretary of the Admiralty, and author of over two hundred articles in
the
Quarterly Review; he is remembered for his
Mutiny on the Bounty (1831).
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).
Henry Hardinge, first viscount Hardinge (1785-1856)
After a distinguished career in the Napoleonic wars (in which he lost his left hand) he
served as Tory MP for Durham (1820-30), Newport (1830-34), and Launceston (1834-44); he was
secretary-at-war (1838-30) and governor-general of India (1844-48).
Dick Turpin (1705-1739)
English highwayman and horse thief executed at York; his story was popularized by William
Harrison Ainsworth's novel
Rookwood (1834).