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."

In November 1834, the King dismissed the Whig Government, and sent for Sir
Robert Peel. A General Election took place at Christmas. In the spring of
1835 Peel's Government was displaced by a vote of the House of Commons, and
a Whig Government was formed again under Lord Melbourne. Henry
Labouchere,[116] M.P. for Taunton, accepted office, and thereby vacated his
seat. On seeking re-election, he was opposed, unsuccessfully, by Benjamin
Disraeli. "The Jew spoke for an hour The boys called out 'Old Clothes' as
he came into the town, and offered to sell him sealing-wax and
slippers."[117]

As soon as the Election was over, the country relapsed into its normal
calm. On the 3rd of June Sydney wrote:--