CHAPTER XXVI.
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 30,000l. 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.