'Compassion, indeed! No, sir. Compassion is a fool; and the law is wise.'
'In itself I hope it is: but I own I doubt the wisdom of its practice.'
'But this practice, you must know,' said Trottman, with a wink to
Stradling, 'Mr. Trevor means to reform.'
'Oh,' replied Stradling, 'then I suppose, when the gentleman is at the bar, he will never accept a brief, till he has first examined the equity of the case.'
'That, sir,' I replied, 'is my firm intention.'
'Ha, ha, ha! Mr. Trevor, you are a young man! You will know better in time.'
'And do you imagine, sir, that I will ever hire myself to chicanery, and be the willing promoter of fraud? If I do, may I live hated, and die despised!'
'Ay, ay! Very true! I don't remember that I ever met with a youth, who had just begun to keep his terms, who did not profess much the same. And, which is well worthy of remark, those that have been most vehement in these professions have been most famous, when they came to the bar, for undertaking and gaining the rottenest causes.'
'You shall find however, sir, that I shall be an exception to this rule.'
'Excuse me, Mr. Trevor, for not too hastily crediting hasty assertions. I know mankind as well as I know the law. However, I can only tell you that if your practice keep pace with your professions, you will never be Lord Chief Justice.'