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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1844
Sydney Smith to Lady Grey, 29 May 1844
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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May 29th, 1844.
My dear Lady Grey,

I am afraid you are not going on so well as heretofore, and I am almost afraid to ask you your present condition: therefore do as you are inclined, and if to send me such news as you have to send gives you pain, do not send it.

Mrs. Sydney had a sharp attack of pain yesterday, which prevented us from going to Lady Essex’s play, which has been acted with universal approbation in Belgrave-square. I was very glad not to be there, as I am sure I should have been tired to death. If real
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.531
actors cannot amuse me, how should pretended actors do so? Can mock-turtle please where real turtle is disliked?

I think we now have O’Connell safe between walls. I look upon his punishment as one of the most useful events which have taken place in my time. It vindicates the law, shows the subject that the Government is not to be braved, and puts an end for many years to the blustering and bullying of Ireland. Their perseverance is creditable to Ministers. There was, my dear Lady Grey, a serious intention to go out; but it was too ridiculous.

I am inclined to think you are going on tolerably well, for I ask everybody who is likely to know, and make out the best account I can; but your own case puzzles me.

I am going to dine with —— today. The rumour increases of her having murdered Dr. ——. The question is, Where is he? What was that large box taken away at two in the morning?

Read Arnold’s Life, by Stanley, and Twiss’s Life of Lord Eldon. The latter is not badly done, and I think it would much amuse Lord Grey, as it is the history almost of his times. Lord Eldon was the bigoted enemy of every sort of improvement; and retarded, by his influence, for more than twenty-five years, those changes which the state of the country absolutely required. Ever affectionately yours,

Sydney Smith.