Make no secret of low spirits to your friends, but talk of them freely

A letter of advice from Sydney Smith

Illustration from the Lists of Note book

Sydney Smith was an English clergyman, writer, and celebrated wit who was known for his progressive views and his compassion. In February of 1820, on learning that Lady Georgiana Morpeth—the 13-year-old daughter of a friend—was suffering from a bout of depression, Smith sent her a precious letter filled with sound…