So much for the biographical part of my work. In the critical part I have
relied less on authority, and more on my own devotion to Sydney Smith's
writings. That devotion dates from my schooldays at Harrow, and is due to
the kindness of my father. He had known "dear old Sydney" well, and gave me
the Collected Works, exhorting me to study them as models of forcible and
pointed English. From that day to this, I have had no more favourite
reading.

G.W.E.R.

November 12th, 1904.




CONTENTS


CHAPTER I

EDUCATION--SALISBURY PLAIN--EDINBURGH


CHAPTER II

"THE EDINBURGH REVIEW"--LONDON--"MORAL PHILOSOPHY"


CHAPTER III