“I do all I can to love the country, and endeavour to believe those poetical lies which I read in Rogers and others, on the subject; which said deviations from truth were, by Rogers, all written in St. James’s Place.”  “I look forward anxiously to the return of the bad weather, coal fires, and good society in a crowded city.”  “The country is bad enough in summer, but in winter it is a fit residence only for beings doomed to such misery for misdeeds in another state of existence.”  “You may depend upon it, all lives lived out of London are mistakes, more or less grievous—­but mistakes.”  “I shall not be sorry to be in town.  I am rather tired of simple pleasures, bad reasoning, and worse cookery.”

His life in London, free from these kindred evils, was full of enjoyment.  He dined out as often as he liked, and entertained his friends at breakfast, luncheon, and dinner.  He admits that he “sometimes talked a little,” and “liked a hearty laugher,”

    “I talk only the nonsense of the moment from the good humour of the
    moment, and nothing remains behind.”

    “I like a little noise and nature, and a large party, very merry and
    happy.”

Here are some of his invitations:—­

    “Will you come to a philosophical breakfast on Saturday?—­ten o’clock
    precisely?  Nothing taken for granted!  Everything (except the
    Thirty-Nine Articles) called in question.”

    “I have a breakfast of philosophers to-morrow at ten punctually;
    muffins and metaphysics, crumpets and contradiction.  Will you come?”

    “Pray come and see me.  I will give you very good mutton chops for
    luncheon,[115] seasoned with affectionate regard and respect.”

“I give two dinners next week to the following persons, whom I enumerate, as I know Lady Georgiana loves a little gossip.  First dinner—­Lady Holland, Eastlake, Lord and Lady Monteagle, Luttrell, Lord Auckland, Lord Campbell, Lady Stratheden, Lady Dunstanville, Baring Wall, and Mr. Hope.  Second dinner—­Lady Charlemont, Lord Glenelg, Lord and Lady Denman, Lord and Lady Cottenham, Lord and Lady Langdale, Sir Charles Lemon, Mr. Hibbert, Landseer, and Lord Clarendon.”

This period is marked by one domestic incident which caused the Smiths lasting happiness.  In the spring of 1834 their elder daughter, Saba, was married to Dr., afterwards Sir Henry, Holland.  Sydney thus expressed his joy:—­

    “The blessing of God be upon you both, dear children; and be assured
    that it makes my old age much happier to have placed my daughter in
    the hands of so honourable and amiable a son.”

A few years later he wrote from Combe Florey:—­

    “We expect Saba and Dr. Holland the end of this month.  I am in great
    hopes we shall have some ‘cases’:  I am keeping three or four simmering
    for him.  It is enough to break one’s heart to see him in the country.”