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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1835
Sydney Smith, Letter to James Bunter in the Taunton Courier, [April 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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Sir,

You have done me the honour, in your own name and in that of your brother Requisitionists, to invite me to the meeting holden this day at Taunton. I am really so heartily tired of meetings and speeches that I must be excused; but I agree with you in your main objects.

It appears to me quite impossible that the Irish Church can remain in its present state. Vested interests strictly guarded, and the spiritual wants of the Protestants of the Establishment provided for, the remainder may wisely and justly be applied to the religious education of other sects. I go further; and think that the Catholic Clergy of Ireland should receive a provision from the State equal to that which they are at present compelled to extort from the peasantry of that country. All other measures without this I cannot but consider as insignificant; and it may be as well conceded now, as after years of blood-
MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.361
shed and contention. This, with time, and a long course of strict impartiality in the Government between Catholic and Protestant, may restore tranquillity to that light, irritable, and ill-used people.

For these reasons I cannot sympathize in the fears which are sincerely felt at this moment by many honest and excellent persons. I believe that Ministers have acted honestly and wisely with respect to the Irish Church; that their intentions to our own Church are friendly and favourable; and that, as far as they have gone, they deserve the support of the public.

I am, Sir, yours, etc.,
Sydney Smith.