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A Memoir of the Reverend Sydney Smith
Letters 1822
Sydney Smith to Lady Mary Bennet, 1 November 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, Nov. 1st, 1822.
My dear Lady Mary,

You will be sorry to hear that Douglas has had bad
228MEMOIR OF THE REV. SYDNEY SMITH.
health ever since he went to Westminster, and has been taken thence to be nursed in a typhus fever, from which he is slowly recovering. Mrs. Sydney set off for London last week, and is likely to remain there some time; I find the state of a widower a very wretched one.

Lady —— is unwell, and expects to be confined in February. The public is indebted to every lady of fashion who brings a fresh Whig into the world.

It is a long time since you wrote to me; the process by which I discover this is amusing enough. I feel uneasy and dissatisfied; the turnips are white and globular—no blame imputable to the farm—no Dissenters, no Methodists in the parish—all right with the Church of England; and after a few minutes’ reflection, I discover what it is I want, and seize upon it as the sick dog does upon the proper herb.

* * * * *

I know —— never spares me, but that is no reason why I should not spare him; I had rather be the ox than the butcher.

Write to me immediately: I feel it necessary to my constitution; and I am, dear Lady,

Your affectionate friend,
Sydney Smith.