Sydney took a sensible view of his position. that he is eight men, not one man; that he No false shame ever led him out of the right has as much wit as if he had no sense, and as path. Fellows of New College were remarkable much sense as if he had no wit; that his conconsumers of port wine, but with a hundred a duct is as judicious as if he were the dullest year the most sociable person in the world of human beings, and his imagination as brilknew that he must avoid any such bond of fel- liant as if he were irretrievably ruined. But lowship. Sydney Smith, therefore, not only when wit is combined with sense and inforlived at Oxford on his scanty income without mation; when it is softened by benevolence incurring one farthing of obligation, but even and restrained by principle; when it is in the paid out of it a debt of thirty pounds left ow-hands of a man who can use it and despise it; ing at Winchester by his young brother, who can be witty and something more than Courtenay, who had gone to India. There Courtenay afterwards became a supreme judge, and amassed a considerable fortune.

witty; who loves honor, justice, decency, good nature, morality, and religion ten thousand times better than wit; wit is then a beautiful To send Courtenay and Cecil to India, and and delightful part of our nature. Genuine to educate Robert for the bar, had cost as much and innocent wit like this is surely the flavor money as the father could afford. Sydney's of the mind. Man could direct his ways by taste and ambition had been directed also to plain reason, and support his life by tasteless the bar; but his father, after giving up a pro- food; but God has given us wit, and flavor, ject of sending him out to China as a super- and brightness, and laughter, and perfumes, cargo, forced him into the Church. He re- to enliven the days of men's pilgrimage, and ceived therefore the Church as his profession; to charm his pained steps over the burning and although not taking it by choice, yet, with-marle."

--

siness always give me the idea of an Athenian carter." The Athenian carter walked beside a noble team in modern Athens. Brougham, Jeffrey, Horner, Playfair, Scott and many more were then preparing for their work in pulling forward a new generation. The healthiest intellectual society in Europe was then to be found at Edinburgh, among the young men of genius who received Smith with delight into their circle, and of whom there were few who did not learn to love him with an almost tender affection.

out murmur then or thereafter, he manfully The writer of that passage acted up most and nobly set himself to the performance of his fully to his own ideal. In person Sydney duty. He was ordained, and became the cu- Smith was inclined from the first to become rate of a small village in the midst of Salisbury stout. "Sydney," one of his college friends Plain. A butcher's cart came once a week used to say to him, "your sense, wit, and clumfrom Salisbury, and then only was meat to be obtained. He often dined upon potatoes sprinkled with a little ketchup. The Squire a Mr. Beach at first asked him in usual form to dinner on a Sunday; but, very soon discovering the charm of his society and his rare worth of character, desired his more intimate acquaintance. He owed to himself the unbounded confidence in his ability and prudence which induced the Squire at length to urge that he would give up, at the expiration of the two years for which it was taken, his curacy among the plains, take the young heir to the Squiredom as his pupil, and go with him to the University of Weimar. The offer was accepted, and, as Sydney himself tells us, "we set out; but before reaching our destiny, Germany was disturbed by war, and, in stress of politics, we put into Edinburgh, where I remained five years."

When he had been two years in Edinburgh, Sydney resolved to crown with marriage an old standing affection of his own for Miss Pybus, his sister's intimate friend and schoolfellow, a lady whom he had known from childhood, and to whom he had been long engaged. Her brother, Mr. Charles Pybus, a prosperous politician, frowned upon the match, which Sydney Smith was twenty-six years old brought to his sister a happiness so perfect as when, in the year 1797, he put into Edin- it is the lot of but few women to enjoy. But burgh with his pupil, Mr. Beach. The remu- then the question asked by the brother neration he received for his services to the was, what else could he bring her? Soon af young gentleman was liberal, but he was one ter they had returned to Edinburgh to set up of those true teachers whom no money can housekeeping, he came dancing to her joyously overpay, not only learned, but also wise, with six thin little silver tea-spoons, which he noble, and full of every good gift that can ex-threw into her lap, saying, "There, Kate, you ert a wholesome charm upon the young. From lucky girl, I give you all my fortune!" His his lecture on Wit and Humor a friend of Sydney Smith has taken a few sentences which he regards as a most perfect though involuntary sketch of the mind that suggested

them.

"The meaning of an extraordinary man is,

DLXXXIII. LIVING AGE. VOL. X. 15

wife had a small portion, which against her mother's wish he took care to secure strictly and entirely on herself. The price of a costly necklace furnished a house. Mr. Beach soon afterwards paid a thousand pounds to his son's tutor, which, being put into the stocks, formed

Sydney's independent property. Mr. Beach the directness and marvellous good sense with afterwards sent to him his second son, and at the same time the son of Mr. Gordon, of Ellon Castle, was entrusted to Sydney's care, £400 being paid with each.

which he spoke upon the true merits of every question, to win complete attention from the public. He was born, as his daughter justly says, for a teacher of the people; and he nev er failed to use his powers without dread of consequences in the interests of truth and justice. No man in his time labored more vigo rously and effectively in the diffusion of sound sense.

While at Edinburgh Sydney Smith attended lectures in the medical classes, and frequented the hospital. He had done the same at Oxford, with so much zeal that the Professor of Medicine wished to persuade him into the career of a physician. For he felt that a knowledge of medicine would enable him as a clergyman to be a help to the poor throughout his parish; and of the knowledge so acquired he did throughout his life make use with remarkable judgment and discretion, for the help of his poor neighbors and the comfort

Sydney's first child was a daughter, whom he christened by a name of his own concocting, Saba; she it is who is now the writer of his Memoir. Very soon after the birth of this daughter, Sydney, being with Brougham and Jeffrey in a top flat in Buccleugh place, Jeffrey's residence at that time, proposed the getting up of a review. He was appointed editor, and under his care the first number was brought out. The boldness with which liberal opinions were supported by the young reviewers in a day when such opinions had to battle against all discouragement, the clearsightedness with which wrong was detected in established institutions, upon which, now that they are overthrown, we are accustomed only to look back as to the errors of our grandfathers, every one knows. It is needless to of his family. speak of it. In this battle against all wrong In 1803, Sydney's age then being thirty-two, and injustice no eye was so true as Sydney the education of his pupils was completed, his Smith's. One of his companions, pointing income was seriously reduced, and the world out how in the zeal of youth the energies of lay barren before him. His wife, confident in his companions tended often to excess, and his talents, urged him to London, and in the party spirit led even mature minds to extra- following year he had quitted Edinburgh and vagance, says that "yet in the midst of this was established in a small house in Doughty Sydney Smith showed, from the outset, a sin-street, the choice of that locality (which will gular union of courage and good sense, with- be hereafter associated, too, with the outset in out a tincture of the extravagance by which, life of another man of wit and genius, and in so many young men of ability, they were Sydney's ardent admirer) being determined at that time accompanied. He did not hesi- by his fondness for the company of lawyers. tate to embrace and avow a sound principle, A severe struggle against poverty was then however obnoxious; but neither enthusiasm commenced, in which Sydney was aided by or party spirit could carry him a hair's-breadth loans from his brother Robert; and the probeyond" what his judgment approved." In prietor of Berkeley chapel in John street, that spirit of sound sense governed by a high Berkeley square, whose property was in a morality, which pervaded all he said and all languishing condition, found its sittings sudhe did, Sydney Smith waged war through the denly filled after his engagement as a preacher pages of the Edinburgh Review against one there. In his sermons, as the Bishop of NorSocial evil after another; but nobody kept wich wrote, Sydney Smith "plainly showed stricter watch than he did over the evils of he felt what he said, and meant that others excess into which liberality of thinking might should feel too." A friend also procured for be led. "I must beg the favor," he wrote him the post of chaplain to the Foundling Hos long afterwards to Jeffrey, "I must beg the pital, with a salary of £50 a year. Yet the favor of you to be explicit on one point. Do struggle to support his household was most difyou mean to take care that the Review shall ficult, when there was offered to the young not profess infidel principles? Unless this is clergyman the lease of a chapel then occupied the case I must absolutely give up all connec- by a sect of dissenters, called the New Jerusa tion with it. With the highest reverence for lem. To occupy it, however, he required a holy things, and a sincere love for the Church license from the rector, and this was refused, of England, Sydney Smith combined always in spite of appeals so full of good sense, and so a noble spirit of toleration. He shrunk from Christian and manly in their tone, that it is an infidel, but he claimed brotherhood with impossible to think with respect of any rector Christians of every denomination. He even, in his later days, preached one of Channing's sermons (on War) from the pulpit of St. Paul's Cathedral.

As a writer, Sydney Smith was qualified by his unrivalled vivacity of speech, and by

able to resist them. But by this time Sydney's wit had recommended him to brilliant social circles; his brother's marriage with Miss Vernon, Lord Holland's aunt, backed the claim of his own merit to be recognized at Holland House; and upon the reputation he had now

acquired as a preacher, followed suddenly the of the Franklin class, but of a higher nature. great success of his lectures on Moral Philoso- Sydney Smith was less disposed than any huphy, given at this period of his life in the Royal morist, or the Manchester school itself, to lose Institution. His lecturing there had been sug- himself in vague generalities or to go woolgested by Sir Thomas Barnard, the same gathering in a mist; but he had a larger idea friend who had procured for him the chaplain- of utility than they had. He thought that whatcy at the Foundling Hospital. The scheme ever raised the spirits, or cheered the heart, was a wonderful success. All the well-known or reached the mind by delighting the eye, or charm of Sydney Smith's manner, the geniali- the ear, or within limits of moderation, the ty of his wit, the truth and depth of his feeling, other senses, was useful. He had a sympathy his quick transitions of emotion, his never with greatness; but rather with greatness of clouded brilliancy of expression, every quality a moral and material kind, we think, than he possessed had in these lectures more or less with the poetical or artistic, or perhaps with scope for a display that surprised the town. the heroic. His heart was chiefly interested "Nobody else, to be sure," said Mr. Horner, in what promoted the happiness of mankind; "could have executed such an undertaking and as the aspirations of mankind in general with the least chance of success. For who take a turn towards "creature comforts," and could make such a mixture of odd paradox, shrink from physical or mental uneasiness, quaint fun, manly sense, liberal opinions, and Sydney Smith's subjects bore upon questions striking language?" of immediate utility or of current importance. The proceeds of the lectures enabled the Except sermons, his separate publications young clergyman to furnish a new house in were on Catholic Emancipation, a branch of Orchard street, where two more children were Church Reform when it was a practical quesborn to him, a son who died in infancy, and tion, and the Ballot controversy. His fugitive his youngest daughter. Still he was without productions bore on some immediate evil, or permanent means of living, and fought with humbug producing evil, or some topic of intepoverty in his own open honest way, making rest at all times; though his treatment, we no false show, inviting the wealthy without think, generally concerned an instant phase of shame to dine with him upon his single dish, it-as the actual mode of teaching Latin, feenjoying all that is most real in the delight of male education with reference to the immethe best society, and quite unencumbered with diate mistakes and requirements of the time. the drag of false pretensions. He was at work, Subjects in which every reader thus felt an inthen, indefatigably for the Edinburgh Review, terest were treated with a breadth which gave happy at home, and full of the most joyous something of the universal to the temporary, spirits. In 1806, he being then thirty-five with a piercing sense that put aside every falyears old, the Whigs came into power, and the lacy and reached the pith of the question at small Yorkshire living of Foston-le-Clay was once, with a wit caustic, contemptuous, humorobtained for him from Lord Erskine by Lord Holland's intercession. At nearly the same time he startled the country suddenly by the anonymous publication of Peter Plymley's Let

lers.

At this point we come to a new phase of Sydney Smith's career, and starting from this point, we propose next week to resume and complete this partial illustration of his charac

ter.

From The Spectator, of same date.

ous, or playful even to fun, and a fancy that
illustrated everything it touched with images
ludicrous or grave but always vivid. No won-
der, therefore, at the writer's celebrity. In
the words of Johnson, speaking of Dryden's
Absalom and Achithophel, he "filled every
mind with triumph or resentment."
It may
be questioned whether this choice of topics
was made by Sydney Smith as matter of cal-
culation, or was not rather the bias of a nature
strongly moved to get rid of practical evil
or to produce practical good. His pulpit dis-
courses partook of this characteristic. They
were not "good moral sermons," in the sense
of an ethical essay, that might have been spo-
ken off at Athens or Rome two thousand
years ago, or in any other place at any other
time; but practical advice given to an English
congregation in the early part of the nine-
teenth century, with fundamental truths for
all time, but more immediately coming home
to the "business and bosoms" of his auditors
then and there.

NOTWITHSTANDING the great abilities of Sydney Smith, and their telling quality, his universal celebrity in his own day was in a measure owing to the practical cast of his mind and the instant nature of his subjects. Fancy he had, and of the rarest kind; imagination, in a lofty sense, he had not; and though he could appreciate, we doubt if he could relish it. For the abstract likewise he had little regard, unless in its strictly appropriate sphere-as mathematics or arithmetic. “If not true of individuals, "a lively sense With more wit, more heartiness, more joyous of favors to come" is a fair definition of pubabandon than Franklin, he was a philosopher lic gratitude. When a writer has overthrown

ed impatience; "it would be so, if it were like-from behind the heavy curtain and greeted her ly that he is at all concerned in the matter." Then they both looked out upon the smooth lawn, Thus she mused; her musings ending as they with quaintly shaped parterres embossing its began, in uncertainty on all points. She passed surface, and the belt of evergreens, and tall, down stairs, prepared to enter on the ceaseless leafless trees, which shut in the domain on that whirl of gaiety, the business of the day, with a side. vague uneasiness clouding her mind and a feel

"There is not much food for speculation in ing of restless discomfort, which for awhile garden scenery like this," observed Mr. Avarne, made her almost wish to be at home again. Ah, smiling, after they had remained for some time that home! For the first time, the thought of in silence, or else I am particularly dull in the trouble she had left there smote her with finding it. I can only offer you a remark on the real pain. The expression of her face was quite weather. I think we shall have a fine day. Don't sad as she came into the breakfast-room, where- you?"

in most of Mrs. Lumley's guests were already Helen answered, laughing and blushing. Hez assembled. companion looked at her young, fresh face, with The hostess, enthroned on a sofa at one end evident kindness, and a frank admiration which of the long apartment, was surrounded by a it was impossible not to feel. laughing circle, to whom she was proposing and "Which of these exploring parties in search explaining various plans for their amusement. of pleasure do you intend joining?" he presentWhere is my secretary? Mr. Levison, please ly said, after a second pause, during which the to put down the list of names for this riding talking and jesting from the farther end of the party. Miss Dundas, you shall have my own room had distinctly reached them. White Lady; she is as gentle as a lamb, and ride?" Ah, Miss Poole, you and

"Do you

as obedient as "No. I never was on horseback in my life. your sister have yet to give your decision. Now, I think I should be afraid." ladies and gentlemen," continued the animated

"In that case, the experiment had better be lady, with a dramatic wave of her handkerchief, left for a future occasion. You will find plenty 65 give your votes! Are you for riding, driving, of amusement in other directions." There was or walking? for the billiard-room or the library? again a brief silence. He resumed, suddenly, the boudoir or the gardens? Wilkie and Gains- But I wonder you don't ride. I think I have borough in the picture-gallery? or heard your sister say that she

"Battledore and shuttlecock in the saloon?" suggested her secretary, wickedly cutting short her somewhat ostentatious catalogue.

"Oh, yes! Anne is very fond of riding. Edward Grant is a first-rate equestrian, and he used to give her lessons when she was staying

"Oh, it is no use proposing that amusement," with them." pathetically interposed the languid beauty loung- Mr. Avarne's countenance remained unchanging on an adjacent ottoman; "our prime aide ed; but it was some minutes before he continin all those sort of things is unhappily not present. ued speaking.

Sir Charles Hamilton kept it up for seventeen "The Grants have already established themhundred and twenty times without stopping, last selves in Sussex, I believe," he said, somewhat year, at General Gray's." absently; "they were to start on the day that "I'm so disappointed Sir Charles couldn't come Edward sailed. Their removal to such a distance to me," explained Mrs. Lumley; "but he said will be a great loss to your family-will it not ?" he was going to Paris"I don't know," returned Helen, with a hes

"He is such a charming man," resumed the itation that her companion did not fail to per young lady: "so clever! The best valseur in ceive, and to interpret in his own way. "I think London, and writes the loveliest poetry." that is-Anne was the only one who saw much "He has just published a volume of verses," of them; and now, I suppose said Mr. Levison, gravely, "which no doubt prevents his being amongst us to-day.”

"Oh-I wish began Mrs. Lumley. "Everybody wishes the same thing, my dear madam," remarked the secretary, dismally, as he sharpened the point of his official pencil; "but he would rush into print."

To this sentence, when it had finally floated off into silence, no reply was made. And, just then, Mrs. Lumley sailed up to them, her ap proach announced by the rustling of silks, and the jingling of chains and bracelets, as well as by her busy clattering tongue.

"Oh, there you are, are you? Now, I wonder "And all his friends are very sorry for him," what treason you have been plotting in this safe apologetically added a cynical-looking gentle- concealment ?" was her greeting, as she shook man, one of Mrs. Lumley's literary "lions," who hands with Helen, and smiled her most fascinatstood by. ing smile at Mr. Avarne. "Don't you know I've Into this buzzing throng Helen entered, and, been needing you every minute, to help me in half abashed, gladly took refuge in the recess of my arrangements? I'm in the greatest distress! one of the windows. She did not perceive that Major Blackburn has failed in his promise to it was already tenanted, until Mr. Avarne rose come, as you see. Mr. Levison declares he has

an engagement in town, which he cannot possi- to that blue shadow I see behind the trees, which bly get off; and two of my dancing young men looks marvellously like a violet bank. After afhave disappointed me altogether. Here is a flictions of this kind (and I'm sure you'll give combination of annoyances! We shall actually me credit for feeling your displeasure to be one De reduced to a state of the most pitiable ne- of no ordinary bitterness,) we always take refuge cessity of partners. Not enough to make up with our mother nature. She gives us consolaour double quadrille this evening, to say nothing tion, which you must see by my wo-begone face of the polka, which is never danced well unless how terribly I need." there are several couples. Isn't it lamentable? Miss Dynevor, I know you will sympathize. But -Mr. Avarne?"

He bowed with grave politeness. "Can't you help us? Condescend for oncenow do! I know you can dance if you choose. Will you, on this especial occasion, to oblige me? One polka!"

The last words came through the reclosed window, and then they saw him cross the lawn, and disappear through the evergreens of the shrubbery.

Mrs. Lumley laughed.

"One might as well think of turning back the sea, as of inducing Mr. Avarne to do what he has once resolved against."

"I thought you knew, my dear Mrs. Lumley, "Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle, I think," that my education has been neglected, and I observed the languid Miss Dundas; further addcan't execute that dance if I would. Also, that ing, with dignified decision, "I confess I don't my taste is so naturally vicious, that I would admire people who affect such recondite tastes not, if I could. You perceive I am in a dilem- and prejudices." ma. It seems to me a hopeless one.”

"Oh, you are a very provoking person with your dilemmas. Won't you do anything to help me out of mine?"

"All that is possible, or even impossible; you cannot doubt me," Mr. Avarne declared, with a vigorous assumption of gaiety.

If any

"But Mr. Avarne is-is so clever," said Mrs. Lumley, whose good nature, in prompting her to defend her friend, really found itself at a loss how to do so-no uncommon case under similar circumstances, and with minds of such differing calibre.

"Yes; so I believe. But these clever people “Well, what I ask you is not impossible." positively assume to themselves such importance, “Therefore," he answered, with easy logic, that it is almost unbearable. It becomes a ques"it is far too poor an offering for such a shrine tion, whether we should not be better without as yours. Anything in the world but dancing them. Let us give up our cleverness, and exor leap-frog, indeed—both of which exercises I change it for the capacity of being agreeable." eschewed with jackets and marbles. "But for those who have not either article, good could be done by wishing, I would wish my dear Miss Dundas, there can be no possi myself only ten years old again, for your grati- bility of such a barter as you ingeniously sug fication. At that age, my dancing was the admi- gest," interposed Mr. Levison, with a serious ration of all my friends. At that age, I could air of solitude; "and what would you propose have performed the college hornpipe for you, doing in such a case? I fell personally interwith all the steps. It is really a pity." ested in your reply, as I perceive you are at this

"Well, I will have done," said Mrs. Lumley, moment remarking to yourself." laughing in spite of her vexation. "You are But Miss Dundas, uncertain whether or not altogether impracticable, and breakfast is waiting. she was being furtively quizzed by the incorrigi Will you conduct Miss Dynevor to her seat?" ble young barrister, turned away in haughty But, in defiance of her own declaration, silence. However, there was not wanting a Aroughout breakfast a perpetual running fire of tongue to take up the question of Mr. Avarne's entreaties and reproaches was kept up against character, which he had advisedly said, he "left Mr. Avarne, by his persistent hostess; a species among his friends." of aggression which he endured with an infinite "Avarne is what I call a regular prig," elegantequanimity, that only his careful good-breeding ly observed a gentleman, apparently not long prevented from assuming an aspect of indiffer- emancipated from the school-room, in whose As they all rose from the table, however, face was precociously visible all the least estimahe appeared to be suddenly smitten with an ac- ble traits of mannishness, without either the digcession of sensibility. When Mrs. Lumley nity or the nobleness of real manhood. "I can't called him to her side, in order, as she said, think where he picks up all his extraordinary that she might place before him "six good and ideas on various subjects. I only know he is sufficient reasons why he should, could, must, getting so much too good for this wicked world, and ought to comply with her request," he fairly that it-it is absurd. It makes one feel quite uncomfortable to be in his company. Upon my

ence.

beat a retreat.

"I own myself out-worded already," he said, honor, I never see him come into a room, without as he unfastened one of the French windows beginning to consider how I can best and soonest which opened onto the lawn, "and so I'll even get out of it. And I know several fellows who leave my character among my friends, and fly say the same thing."