God bless you, and support you in great trials, such as
the illness of so good and great a man, and
one who has played so distinguished a part in the events of these times! Convey
to him my ardent wishes for his safety and exemption from pain. I am a great
believer in his constitution, and feel sure that we
| 524 | MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. |
I send you a very honest and sensible sermon,—so little like most sermons, that I think our dear Earl might read it, or have it read to him; but let that honest Howick read it, who loves everything that is bold, and true, and honest; and send it back to me when it is done with. Only think of the iniquity of young ——. No sooner does he find himself extricated from poverty and misery, than the first thing he does is to turn out a poor curate, the son of the former vicar, before his father! His conduct has been quite abominable.
I go on Tuesday, for two or three days, to Bowood, where a large party is assembled: amongst the rest, Lady Holland. We are dying of heat. I sleep with my windows open every night. The birds are all taken in, and building; the foolish flowers are blowing. Human creatures alone are in the secret, and know what is to happen in a week or two.
I met Mr. —— in town. I have never joined in the general admiration for this person. I think his manners rude and insolent. His conversation is an eternal persiflage, and is therefore wearisome. It seems as if he did not think it worth while to talk sense or seriousness before his company, and that he had a right to abandon himself to any nonsense which happened to come uppermost; which nonsense many of his company remembered to have come uppermost often before. I receive every day from America letters and pamphlets without end. I verily believe the United States are cracking. A nation cannot exist in such a state of morals.
| MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH. | 525 |
Give my kindest and most affectionate regards to Lord Grey; and believe me ever, dear Lady Grey, your sincere and affectionate friend,
