Part 47 (2/2)

'Within a trifle The experience of states, ees has decided that question with tolerable accuracy'

'But, what if a power should have arisen, of which you have not had the experience of states, ees; except of a very small nuoes, should entirely overthrow your hypothesis?'

'I know that, in argument, your _if_ is a very renowned potentate If the moon should happen to be a cheese, it may some tigots But what is this hty power, that has done so much in so short a time; and from which you expect soWhen knowledge was locked up in Egyptian temples, or secreted by Indian Bramins for their own selfish traffic, it was indeed difficult to increase this i mankind, by the discovery of the alphabet, than, in a short period, it was succeeded by the wonders of Greece and Rome And now, that its circulation is facilitated in so incalculable a degree, who shall be daring enough to assert his puny standard is the measure of all possible futurity? I am amazed, sir, that a th of iination, can persist in such an affirumentum ad hominem_ Very sweet and delectable Thank you, sir'

'Every thing is subject to change: why not therefore to ie is inevitable there are proofs look where you will: that which is called innovation must consequently be indispensible

Exaland was infested olves, we are told that King Edgar imposed an annual tribute of thirty wolves' heads on the Welsh Princes; that the breed ht be extirpated Had this tribute been levied, after the race was partly destroyed, the laould have counteracted its own intention: for, in order to pay the tax, the tributary Princes ed the breed; and oncewas little better than infected hat have been lately stigmatised by the appellation of Jacobinical principles, and exclaireat exultation--'Your remark is very true, sir; and it is an example that will serve admirably well to illustrate another point Placemen and pensioners, a race more ravenous and infinitely ated for the support of the Executive Government; and the breed increases so rapidly that it will very soon devour its feeders'

'And next itself'

'With all my heart! Let me but see that verht, Mr Stradling;' said Trottravity

'Placemen, and pensioners are vile vermin! And so will remain, till your party coht to accept of place, or pension, may I--!'

'I believe you: for I am well persuaded your virtue will never be put to the trial Otherwise, I should iuular practice in politics as in law'

Here our dialogue paused Dinner was announced, and law, politics, and patriotisotten, by all except myself, in the enjoyments of venison and old port

CHAPTER II

_More painful doubts, and further enquiries: Unexpected encouragement and warm affections frothened and confirmed_

Desultory as the conversation I have recited had been, it left a very deep impression upon my mind It was roundly asserted, by every lawyer to whom I put the question, that the whole and sole business of a counsellor was the defence of his client Right or wrong, it was his duty to gain his cause; and, with respect to the justice of it, into that, generally speaking, it was impossible that he should enquire

Briefs were frequently put into his hand as he entered the Court; which he was to follow as instructed

It did now and then happen that a cause was so infamous as to put even the hacknied brow of a barrister to the blush: but it must be a vile one indeed! And even then, when he threw up his brief, though paid before he began to plead, it was matter of admiration to meet so disinterested an example of virtue, in an advocate

It was in the practice of the law that I hoped to have taken refuge, against the arguments of Turl: which, averse as I had been to listen, proved even to me that, in principle, it was not to be defended

The train of thinking that followed these deductions was so very painful that I was obliged to fly from them; and seek advice and confirmation in the friendshi+p of Wilmot, before I should write on the subject to Mr Evelyn For the latter task indeed my mind was not yet sufficiently calm, collected, and determined

My chief consolation was that the subject had thus been strongly brought to the test of enquiry, before the expiration of the reement, I was to be with Counsellor Ventilate, previous to the payment of my admission-fee; of which, as it was a heavy one, thus to have robbed the charities of Mr Evelyn would have given uish

I know not whether I was sorry or glad when I ca, to find Turl there He had returned fro been called back sooner than he expected by his affairs

He was cheerful, and in excellent spirits His complexion was clear, his health i was evident and unaffected He even owned that, hearing I had devoted ly once again to argue the question with hly interested in the future employment of talents of which he had conceived extraordinary hopes; and that he thought it i study, were there no other objection to it, as that of the laithout being, not only perverted and abused, but, in a great degree, stifled

After an avowal like this, it required an effort in me to summon up my resolution, and honestly state the doubts and difficulties that had arisen in my own mind It was happy for me that my friends were men whose habitual sincerity proe, openedmy own sensations, was ireat difficulty indeed be reconciled to the principles of undeviating honesty