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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1822
Sydney Smith to Francis Jeffrey, 22 June 1822
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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Foston, June 22nd, 1822.
My dear Jeffrey,

I understand from your letter that there only remains the time between this and the 12th of July for your stay in Edinburgh, and that then you go north; this puts a visit out of the question at present. I think, when I do come, I shall come alone: I should be glad to show Saba a little of the world, in the gay time of Edinburgh; but this is much too serious a tax upon your hospitality, and upon Mrs. Jeffrey’s time and health; and so there is an end of that plan. As for myself, I have such a dislike to say No, to anybody who does me the real pleasure and favour of asking me to come and see him, that I assent, when I know that I am not quite sure of being able to carry my good intentions into execution; and so I am considered uncertain and capricious, when I really ought to be called friendly and benevolent. I will mend my manners in future, and be very cautious in making engagements. The first use I make of my new virtue is to say that I will, from time to time, come and see you in Edinburgh; but these things cannot be very fre-
226MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.
quent, on account of expense, visits to London (where all my relations live), the injustice of being long away from my parish and family, my education of one of my sons here, and the penalties of the law. At the same time, I can see no reason why you do not bring Mrs. Jeffrey and your child, and pay us a visit in the long vacation. We have a large house and a large farm, and I need not say how truly happy we shall be to see you. I think you ought to do this.

Pray say, with my kind regards to Thomson, that I find it absolutely impossible to write such a review on the Cow-Pox as will satisfy either him or myself for this number. I will write a review for the next, if so please him; what sort of one it may be, the gods only know. I will write a line to Thomson. I will send you the Bishop if I can get him ready; if not, certainly for the next number, I never break my word about reviews, except when I am in London. Pray forgive me; I am sure your readers will.

I read Cockburn’s speech with great pleasure. I admire, in the strongest manner, the conduct of the many upright and patriotic lawyers now at the Scotch bar, and think it a great privilege to call many of them friends; such a spectacle refreshes me in the rattery and scoundrelism of public life.

Allen and Fox stopped here for a day. My country neighbours had no idea who they were; I passed off Allen as the commentator on the Book of Martyrs.

Ever affectionately yours,
Sydney Smith.