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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1835
Sydney Smith to Lady Grey, 20 October 1835
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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Paris, Oct. 20th, 1835.
My dear Lady Grey,

I am sure the pleasantest thing that you and Lord Grey and Georgina could do, would be to go to Paris
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.377
for May and June. It would not cost more than life in London, and would be to you a source of infinite amusement and pleasing recollections. Our excursion here has given Mrs. Sydney the greatest gratification. We have seen the outside of Paris thoroughly. I think Lord and Lady Carlisle both improved in health; they are to stay here the winter.

I have seen Madame de —— once or twice, but I never attempt to speak to her, or to go within six yards of her. I am aware of her abilities, and of the charms of her conversation and manner to those whom it is worth her while to cultivate; but to us others, she is, as it were, the Goddess Juno, or some near relation to Jove.

The French are very ugly; I have not seen one pretty French woman. I am a convert to the beauty of Lady ——; her smile is charming. Paris swarms with English. Lord Granville was forced to go up five pair of stairs to find Lord Canterbury. In another garret, equally high, was lodged Lord Fitzgerald. I care very little about dinners; but I acquiesce thoroughly in all that has been said of their science. I shall not easily forget a Matelote at the Rochers de Cancale, an almond tart at Montreuil, or a poulet à la Tartare at Grignon’s. These are impressions which no changes in future life can obliterate. I am sure they would have sunk deeply into the mind of Lord Grey; I know nobody more attentive to such matters.

The King’s best friends here hardly understand what he is at. I suppose he thinks that, with a free press, nothing could save France from anarchy: perhaps he may be right. I believe him to be a virtuous and excellent man.

378 MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.

We have had bad weather. We leave Paris tomorrow, and shall be in London on the 25th or 26th. Lord William Bentinck is in our hotel, endeavouring to patch up a constitution broken by every variety of climate. I find him a plain, unaffected, sensible man.

Always, dear Lady Grey, with sincere respect and affection, yours,

Sydney Smith.