SYDNEY SMITH 



ONE evening when Sidney 

 Smith was drinking tea with 

 Mrs. Austin the servant en- 

 tered the crowded room with a boil- 

 ing tea-kettle in his hand. It seemed 

 doubtful, nay, impossible, he should 

 make his way among the numerous 

 gossips but on the first approach 

 of the steaming kettle the crowd 

 receded on all sides, Mr. Smith 

 among the rest, though carefully 

 watching the progress of the lad to 

 the table. 



"I declare," said he, addressing 



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