sydney smith smiths wit author (3 risultati)

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. On 9 x 11 cm piece of Whatman wove paper. Somewhat worn and creased, with a small nick to one edge, and slight damage from erasure of note on reverse. Folded. Reads 'Dear Sr / many thanks / yours truly / Sydney Smith / May 11 1844.'.

See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 1p, 12mo. On recto of first leaf of bifolium, the verso of the second leaf addressed, with two postmarks, to 'Mrs. William Smith / Park Street / Westminster'. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn. Annotations in pencil in a modern hand. He begins by apologising for not being able to 'come to your party on Monday', as he was 'forced to go to Bed[.] I always knock up the 2d or 3d Week of London - There is nothing in this World so fatiguing, and horrible as pleasure -'. He wonders whether it might not be possible that 'some persons for their Sins here will be doomed hereafter to four thousand Years of amusement [last five words underlined] namely 1000 of Morning Visits - 1000 Dining out - 1000 seeing pictures & Statues - 500 flirting and 500 routes - Total 4,000 -'. Signed, 'God bless you dear Madam / Sydney Smith'.

The four items in good condition, lightly aged, with stubs from mounts still adhering. The first three are bifoliums, carrying seals in red wax (that to the third letter broken). The second letter is addressed to her at Grosvenor Square; the third and fourth to her at Upper Brook Street. ONE: No place or date. [London, on paper with watermark of 'J GREEN & SON | 1824'.] 1p, 12mo. 'I am always sorry to quit London dear Mrs Cunliffe never more so than when by doing so I lose the opportunity of enjoying your Society this is in Rogers Style except that it is true' (the reference is to the poet Samuel Rogers). In a postscript he gives details of his forthcoming trip to Yorkshire, and asks, 'how is Lord Tavistock?' TWO: '3 Weymouth St'. No date (Smith was at this address around 1835). 1p, 12mo. He answered her letter of the previous day 'expressing my entire resolution to dine with you on the 28th. a resolution with the Wisdom of which the more I reflect upon it the more I am satisfied'. THREE: '33. Charles St Berkeley Sqre | April 31. 1839'. 1p, 12mo. 'I had been practicing [sic] Steps all the morning but was prevented by the lateness of London dinners from appearing at an hour which would have been decorous in a man of any Gravity'. FOUR: '56 Green St | Grosvenor Sqre | Feby 18 1842'. 1p, 4to. 'My dear Mrs Cunliffe | Pray select a better Messenger than Mrs Sydney she did not tell me of your party yesterday till I had gone to Bed - & added this morning that there was another Enemy but she could not tell which it was so that you see I am not ouly guiltless but ill used'.