Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-09-19
VOL. 2.--NO. S.-TOTAL. 60.
SYDNEY SMITH.

Notwithstanding his troubles, however, he
kept hospitable house; Macintosh, Lord John
Russell, Lord Holland, Jeffrey, and others,
were often guests under his roof. Jeffrey-the
little man who had not body enough to cover
his mind decently-was an especial favorite at
Foston lie Clay. On one occasion he arrived
there when Smith was absent. The children
were riding donkeys; they persuaded Jeffrey
to bestride one and join them in the sport. AS
they rode along they met the sparSon' return
Jag home. With burst of laughter at the
comcal appearance Of the doughty editor OF
the EdtHbRrgh, he shouted the impromptu:
Witty as Horatius Flaccus.
As great a Jac0bin as Gracious.
Short, tho not fat az Bacchus,
Riding little jaekass.'
a small volume might be filled with the jokes
Of which Jeffrey was the subject or the occa-
sion. Some have been preserved in Cock
burns life; others are to be found in these vol
umes. When Smith was still in Edinburgh,
some half-crazy person-not Symmes-had d
theory about the North Pole, with which he
pcstersd his acquaintance perseveringly JEFF
rey had submitted once or twice with fortitude;s
butat last he broke loose from the pertinacfous
button-holdef with a rude remark. The iniur-
ed philosopher met Smith shortly afterwar,l,
and told him how badly he had been used,add-
ing: 'sWill you believe it, Sir, he said, d-n
the y North Pole!'' 'sMy dear Sir,'' replied
sydney, soothingly, 'syou should not think Of
it. Jeffrey is privileged person, and nobody
minds what he says. You viii hardly credit
it, but he was actually heard, the other day, TO
SreaLr diSraSuarIf1ll,- Of fba
Aacaulay, though his junior, was likewise
one of his intimates. Both were great takers.
eve both, . said Smith, sstalk a great deal,
but ! don't believe Macaulay ever did hear my
voice. Sometimes, when l have told good
story, have thought to myself, Poor Macau-
lay he viii be very sorry some day to have
missed hearing that.'''
The poet Campbell he quzzed in capital
jea Esprit. Campbell wrote with great toll;
poetry came from him drop by drop. Sydney
Smith used to say that when he was delivered
of couplet, he took to his bed, had straw laid
down, the knocker tied up, and expected his
friends to call and make inquiries; the answer
at the door being invariably, ..Mr. Campbell
and his little couplet are doing as well as can
be expected" When he produced an Alex
andrine, he kept his bed day longer.
Another of his friends was appointed Bish-
op of New Zealand Sydney sent him some
advice TO his bearing when he should re-
ceivc the cannibal chiefs in his see esYou
can say TO them, 'I deeply regret, Sirs, to have
nothing on my own table suited TO your tastes;
but you viii find plenty of cold curate and
roast Clergyman on the side-board;' and if in
spite Of this prudent provision your visitors
should end their repast by eating you like
wise, why, l can only add, my dear friend,
hope you will disagree with them.''
Strange to say, tho no man had been more
powerfully instrumental than Sydney Smith in
oyerthrowing the Tories, and placing the
Wings in power, the only benefit he reaped
from the change was the living of Foston lie
Clay, which nearly ruined him. So much for
party faithfulness. When the tories returned
to office, Lord Lyndhurst did himself honor by
offering his able opponent prebendal stall at
Bristol; on the revenue OF which, together with
the income of the living of Combe Florney,
for which he exchanged Foston le Clay, he be-
gan for the first time in his life to live com
fortably. Though he had been twenty years a
leading contributor to the Eain Wrgh. and re-
sided in the country, he had never owned so
indispensable tool for a man of letters as an
encyclopedias. He was now able to buy books,
and his delight, as described by his daughter.
was beautifully childish. lie did not remain
long at Combe Florey, however; for Lord
Grey taking office, he obtained prebendal
stall at st. PauFs, London, and removed thiti-
er to live. 1t was on the strength of the plea
sure the preferment gave him that he wrote
the famous squib of. Mrs. Partington and her
battle with the Atlantic.
He was now great man. His reputation
for letters was of the first order: his opinions
were those of the government; his position in
the Church--thongh not what it should have
been, for the Wings confessed they ought to
have made him bishop-honorable and con-
! spicuous. The first animation ne seems to
have had of his greatness was a visit from
pompous little man in a rusty Hack coat, who
called on him to say ne was compromising his
tory of distinguished families, and wished to
/ obtain the Smith arms Il regret, SIR said
Sidney, mot to be able to contribute to 30 val
liable work but the Smiths never had any
arms, and have invariably sealed their letters
with their thzmbs.'-H Hdrpar's Magasine.
B-There was great comfort to a despond
| ing man in the answer he got from friend to