A Sydney Smith Story.

Otago Witness, Issue 2319, 11 August 1898, Page 59

A Sydney Smith Story.

FATIMA. To one of Sydney Smith's suppers, after he became Doan of St. Paul's, Sir James Mackintosh brought a raw- Scottish cousin, ensign in a. Highland regiment. On hearing the name of his host, he suddenly nudged Sii James, asking in an audible whisper, "Is that the great Sir SudneyV" ''Yes, yes," said Sir James, much amused ; and giving my father the hint, on the instant he assumed the military character, performed the part of the hero of Acre to perfection, fought all his battles o'er again, and showed how lie had charged the Turks, to the infinite delight of the young Scotchman, who was quJte enchanted with the kindness and condescension of tho great Sir Sudney, and the absolute toiture of the other guests, who were bursting with suppressed laughter at the in imitable acting of my father and Sir James. At 12 o'oloek at night nothing wouJd serve the young Highlander but setting off to fetch the piper of his regiment to play to Sir Mudney, who sjiid he had never heard the bagpipes, on which the whole parly dispersed instantly, for Sir James si' id his cousin would infallibly cut his throat if he discovered how he had been imposed upon. A few days wi'lervvaids Sir James and his cousin met my father in the street with my mother on his arm.

He her as his wife, on which the Scottish cousin said in a low voice to .Sir James, " I diclna ken the great Sir Sudney w*s married !"

"Why, no," said Sir James, a little embarrassed, and winking at him, " not ex-act-ly mairied, only an Egyptian slave lie brought over with him ! . Fatima, you know — you understand?"

My mother was long known in the little circle >xs IFutima.— Sydney Smith's " Memoirs," by his Daughter.