Far more singular and eventful was the history of a brother Barrister, a
cotemporary of the former, and of the writer.
His parents were of the very humblest situation and circumstances; his
education of the most confined limits; his views not extended beyond
that of a writer in an attorney’s office. With this prospect, he was
articled to a very respectable practitioner in a country town. After
a certain period of residence, he conciliated the good opinion of his
employer, by extraordinary diligence and attention to his duty, and
discovered progressively, evident marks of superior abilities. Here also
he contracted an insatiable thirst for reading, which he indulged to
such excess, that he would sit up the greater part of the night for this
purpose, to the neglect and injury of his health.
At the termination of his engagements, his conduct was so acceptable,
and his services so manifest, his influence withal among the clients was
found to be so extensive, that his principal was induced to receive him
into partnership; and the firm thus established, carried in its name
a degree of confidence, and obtained such an extent of business, as
perhaps was hardly ever exceeded in any of the provinces. The immediate
cause was never generally understood, but suddenly, when the prosperity
of the concern seemed at its height, a separation took place between
the partners, and each proceeded on his own bottom. It was indeed
whispered, that the taste for reading had proceeded to such an extent
with the younger partner, as to occasion the neglect of more important
business. Be this as it may, this propensity began to dilate itself into
Book Collecting; and within an interval of time of no great extent,
a library was formed, both in number and value, of very considerable
magnitude and importance. In a short time, the subject of this article
found it expedient to be called to the bar, by which, if he increased
his income, he lessened his consequence. His education and early habits
manifested their effects in his demeanour, which was slovenly, mean, and
unconciliating.
These also taught him to disregard certain forms and observances, which,
among professional men on the circuit, are considered as sacred and
indispensable; such, for example, as travelling from one assize town
to another in stage-coaches, the undisguised practice of _Huggery_,
which has before been mentioned, but without explanation. The meaning
of the term is,—the paying undue court and attention to attorneys,
metaphorically called _hugging_ them; but in reality, cajoling and
feasting them, by way of obtaining their recommendation to clients.
By these and similar arts, added to a considerable degree of acuteness,
and a popularity which he had long acquired among farmers, graziers, and
individuals of that description, in his former character of attorney,
he certainly obtained very extensive practice. He contrived also to
make himself so acceptable and so useful to an individual of high rank
and influence, that he obtained a responsible and extremely lucrative
appointment. At the same time, he undertook the conduct of a cause of
great intricacy and importance, for a pauper. The incident was this: an
extensive and valuable landed property, with a large mansion annexed,
had been for a long time in abeyance. The whole was not worth less than
30,000_l._ On failure of male issue, the descendants on the female side
put in their claim, among whom this pauper stood foremost. The Barrister,
however, was so convinced of the solidity of his title, which of course
he examined, and re-examined, and cross-examined, with indefatigable
assiduity, that he undertook to carry this man and his cause through
every court in the kingdom, upon certain conditions; and moreover, he
engaged to supply his client with a guinea per week for his support,
during the process.
The conditions were, that if the Barrister succeeded in gaining the
cause, in consideration of taking upon himself all the risk, expences,
and labour, he should enjoy the estate, whilst the claimant was to
receive an annuity for life of three hundred pounds.
In the mean time, the reign of taste extended itself beyond its ordinary
limits. Books were multiplied without end—duplicates, triplicates, and
quadruplicates. There was also a fine and extensive library in chambers
in one of the Inns of Court. Bronzes of great curiosity purchased—old
china of very great expence, procured without bounds—a pinery
cultivated—with such other pursuits, as indicated greater capacity of
mind, than of purse—of liberality, than discretion. Let it be remembered
also, and recorded to his honour, that in the interval of his greatest
prosperity, he was the avowed friend of literary men, and, as far as his
means and influence extended, was their patron also.—He was their liberal
and active friend; he accommodated them with his books; and conferred
upon many who needed aid, substantial marks of friendship.
A whimsical circumstance once occurred, which seems not altogether
unworthy of being recorded. A self-taught genius of very humble
situation, who, with great and strong natural talents, possessed but very
limited opportunities of cultivating them, had made considerable progress
in a particular branch of science. Having, however, access but to very
few books, he had adopted without reserve the system of his teachers,
with all their prejudices and all their errors, and had formed, which
is a common mistake in similar circumstances, the absurd idea, that
few, if any other books than those which he had seen, were necessary.
On being introduced into the library of our Barrister, his astonishment
was excessive, at the number of the books. He was informed that he was
welcome to the loan of any, which he might conceive to be useful or
essential to the prosecution of his immediate pursuits. He accordingly
commenced, after examination of the library, to transcribe the titles of
such as he should like to possess. At first the number was limited to
five or six. On a second visit, and after a second survey, the number was
more than doubled; after a third visit, they were yet more extended; till
at length, from repeated visits and examinations, the catalogue of this
self denying philosopher, who habitually exclaimed against all luxurious
indulgences, and particularly against the passion of collecting books,
exceeded in number two thousand; which he honestly confessed he thought
important and useful to the object of his own confined and particular
pursuit.
Now, mark the sequel of this Barrister’s most eventful history. Some
years since, the Sexagenarian being, by accidental circumstances, on the
spot which had been the scene of his varied and multiplied performances,
made enquiry after him. He had witnessed his progress from obscurity to
distinction—from ignorance to no inconsiderable knowledge—and felt both
curiosity and a portion of friendly interest concerning him: indeed, he
acknowledged obligations to him. Judge of his astonishment and regret, on
receiving the information that the Barrister was in prison—his lucrative
office filled by another—his library dispersed by a public auction—his
bronzes, drawings, antiques, scattered among collectors and amateurs.
That he subsequently found ways and means to extricate himself from his
bonds—to obtain a second time, under extraordinary difficulties, no
contemptible portion of employment in his profession; that he a second
time laid the foundation of a valuable library, and again got together
many curiosities of antiquity and specimens of art; is an evident
demonstration of no common abilities—of a mind, which, properly directed
and exercised, must, by an undeviating path, have conducted him to
affluence and honour.
Adde repertores doctrinarum, atque leporum
Adde Helicomadum comites, quorum unus Homerus
Sceptra potitus, eâdem aliis sopitu, quiete est.