162 PROFESSOIt SMYTHE AND HIS OPINIONS. 



the expectations which wise and good men formed of it In the 



Revolution there was selfishness on the one hand, and rashness on 

 the other. It failed. The causes of its failure I propose to your 

 careful consideration. I should esteem it no mean praise I should 

 deem it a sufficient reward if any thing I have here said has the 

 effect of turning your attention to this grand subject.' 



" He is said, I know not with what truth, to have been the tutor of 

 Brinsley Sheridan. At all events his political principles are, and 

 ever have been, without any compromise or concealment, those of 

 the Whigs ; and the appointment which he holds was conferred upon 

 him (it is in the gift of the Crown) in the brief interval during which 

 that party held office in 1806. 



" He is understood to have been at one period a constant contributor 

 to the pages of the Edinburgh Review. That his powers of compo- 

 sition are not confined to prose, his exquisite lines addressed to the 

 memory of Dr. Currie, those on Henry Kirke White, and some very 

 beautiful poems which were quoted in the Review referred to, and 

 pronounced to be the offerings of his muse, are an ample testimony. 

 It is difficult to give in few words a satisfactory sketch of him. He 

 lives in a world of his own. The motives, actions, feelings, failings 

 of the silent dead, are infinitely more familiar to him than the fleeting 

 politics of his own day. His companions are those who have long 

 since appeared and faded from this shifting scene. The petty rival- 

 ries of the moment the passing animosities of the hour affect him 

 not. They possess for him no interest. He declines understanding 

 them, and will not permit his repose to be disturbed by them. 



" His studies seem to have perfected in him the noble qualities of 

 moderation and forbearance qualities not only admirable in them- 

 selves, but valuable in the extreme, when considered with reference 

 to one who has to enforce the study and lessons of history on a 

 youthful audience. Severe to himself, he is lenient and kind to a 

 degree in the construction he places on the actions and intentions of 

 others ; and the only moment in which he appears really ruffled, is 

 when music, of which he is a devoted and enthusiastic lover, and to 

 enjoy which he spares no expence and declines no trouble, is marred 

 or mingled with the senseless chatter of some noisy babbler. 



" You would like to see him ? We are late : it wants but one mi- 

 nute to ten. Away to the anatomical schools. Here, in this dark, 

 dingy lecture-room, his little black mahogany stand placed straight 

 before him, his right arm a little extended, the left resting on the 

 small portfolio which contains his lectures his whole appearance in- 

 dicating the gentleman of the old school, but strongly characteristic 

 of extreme bonhommie and kindness of disposition stands the popular 

 Professor. Hark ! he has just finished some brilliant passage a part 

 of his well known lecture on Maria Theresa: Who that has heard 

 it can ever forget it ? or has summed up his elaborate analysis of 

 Frederick the Great or has closed his exquisite portraiture of the 

 follies and sorrows of the unfortunate Antoinette, and a murmur of 

 applause which they cared not or could not control, has burst from 

 his delighted auditory. 



" Take another view. You see that tall and somewhat gaunt figure, 

 in a green coat and black velvet collar, bright buff waistcoat, knee 



