feriors always considerate. Of the memoirs of Hayley, the Eartham poet, a few of the most readable passages relate to Thurlow. He was a good classical scholar, and disposed to promote men of learning. Potter the translator of Eschylus, and Bishop Horsley, owed We their advancement to Thurlow. transcribe from Southey's life of Cowper, letters from Thurlow to Lord Kenyon, which are curiously characteristic of his good nature. The particular delusion under which Cowper's mind laboured, was a belief that he was a castaway-one whom the mercy of God could not reach,-It occurred to Hayley, that could he collect testimonials from persons known in what is called the religious world, and from persons of rank, having some honorary connection with it, of the great good likely to be done by Cowper's works, something might be done to remove this strange impression which seemed to Hayley the cause and not the consequence of his insanity.

"The letters," says Dr. Southey, "are characteristic of their writer, and of that kindness which his rough exterior concealed from those who did not know him well."

Dulwich, Nov. 22d. 1797. MY DEAR LORD-I have been pressed by one mad poet, to ask of you for another a favour, which savours of the malady of both. I have waited for an opportunity of doing it verbally; but this gout at this time of the year makes it uncertain when I can see you.

Cowper's distemper persuades him that he is unmeritable and unacceptable to God. This persuasion Hayley thinks, might be refuted by the testimony of pious men, to the service which his works have done to religion and morals, He has therefore set on foot a canvass, by the favour of Mr. George Rose, to obtain the testimonia insignium virorum to these services; by which means he very reasonably hopes to obtain the signatures of the King, the Bishops, the Judges, and other great and religious men, who may happen to be found within the same vortex; but he doubts whether one of the chiefs is exactly within the range of that impulse, and knowing your goodness to me, he has urged me to prefer his request. In charity to him, I have consented, and if you think it an act of real charity to the other, I know you will do it.

Cowper's worth and talents 1 formerly was well acquainted with. The latter are still better known to the world by his writings, which are certainly filled with animated and impressive pictures of religion and virtue, and deserve every testimonial of his having done them essential service. Laudari a laudatis viris must give him pleasure if his disease will admit of it: and if the effect of it in removing the malady may be doubted, the experiment seems harmless at least and charitable.

Kenyon was perplexed by the request and having no precedent of such a document as was required called on Thurlow for a proper form of such certificate. We transcribe Thurlow's letter, suggesting a form of testimonial.

"MY DEAR LORD-If I find myself at a loss to write about nothing, you whose mind is much more seriously employed are scarcely better off. It occurs to me that the young and active imaginations of Lloyd, or George, would outstrip us both; but to give an outline of the sort of letter which I suppose to be required, I have sketched the following:

SIR, If I must confess that this step is unusual, I must lament that the occasion is no less so; when inferior talents are so often misused, to excite light and petulant thoughts upon subjects the most sacred, superior talents employed to excite a due reverence for them, naturally engage the gratitude of those who partake of the same zeal; your animated and impressive expressions of piety, have fairly earned the applause of the good, by effectually serving the cause of religion. If it be thought too presuming in a creature to claim merit with his creator, the humblest mind may hope that his dutiful endeavours will be accepted there. The tribute of my attestation, though not flattering to the poet may yet gratify the Christian, by the assurance that he has been successful in the service of our God. This is my motive; which probably will reconcile, to a mind so candid as yours, the occasion I have taken to secure the esteem with which I have the honour to be, sir, your respectful friend and faithful servant, KENYON.'

"The object of the letter proposed, as I collect from Hayley, is to persuade him that he is not rejected. The blunt assurance of this from a stranger apropos to nothing, must revolt him, if he is not too far gone to be moved by anything, but, insinuated, upon an occasion smoothed

over for the purpose, it may perhaps be swallowed. Some care at the same time is due to the appearance which such a letter may have; for though I hope his friends are too discreet to let it be seen by others, yet such an accident is worth looking to. Yours, &c. T."*

Hayley's project met with no better success than might be anticipatedcertificates in plenty were obtained, but poor Cowper never sufficiently recovered to have this queer experiment tried.

The chapter in which our author places Lord Thurlow is entitled "Legal Eccentricity," but the book is void of anything like arrangement. The two next chapters are headed "The Bar" and Advocates and Advocacy," and in both there is much amusing gossip. We transcribe a sentence from his account of Lord Eldon.

Art

"As an advocate, John Scott, so familiar to the student of Vesey' as Lord Eldon, failed to acquire any considerable fame. As his practice lay chiefly in the chancery court, he had not much opportunity for displaying anything like forensic oratory; but he had the opportunity, which he seized, of manifesting that tact and discretion which, as much, if not much more than, eloquence, go to the composition of an accomplished advocate. His manner of addressing the rough old chancellor, Thurlow, was deferential and respectful. He would rise with an air of feigned embarrassment, and wait until a surly nod would tell him that the chancellor was ready to hear him. fully directing his observations as much to the judge as to the cause, he generally managed to obtain the chancellor's attention; and by never pushing his argument when he found it displeasing to Thurlow, conciliated his regard. Scott, however, distinguished himself rather as a lawyer than as an advocate. The ready wit, the rapid elocution, the fund of humour, the intimate knowledge of the world, which is essential to success in the nisi prius advocate, Scott did not possess. When the leader of the northern circuit, he was asked by a young barrister, about to travel that circuit, what books it was advisable he should bring with him, he replied, The best you can take is Joe Miller.

"Horne Tooke declared that if he were to be tried again, he would plead guilty,

rather than hear Scott's long speeches, one of which lasted nine hours.

"When attorney-general, Scott is admitted to have behaved with much lenity in the discharge of his duty as state prosecutor. After the trial of Thomas Hardy for high treason, the following circumstance occurred; we give it in his own words:

Not

"After a trial of many days, the jury retired to deliberate; upon their return their names were called over. I shall never forget that awful moment. Gentlemen of the jury,' said the clerk of arraigns, are you agreed in your verdict? what say you-is Thomas Hardy guilty of high treason, of which he stands indicted, or is he not guilty?' guilty,' in an audible tone, was the answer. It was received in court silently, and without noise-all was still -but the shout of the people was heard down the whole street. The door of the jury-box was opened for the jurymen to retire; the crowd separated for them as the saviours of their country. I was preparing to retire, when Mr. Garrow said, Do not, Mr. Attorney, pass that tall man at the end of the table.' And why not?' said Mr. Law, who stood next. He has been here,' answered Mr. Garrow, during the whole trial, with his eyes constantly fixed on the attorney-general. 'I will pass him,' said Mr. Law. • And so will I,' was my rejoinder. As we passed the man drew back. When I entered my carriage, the mob rushed forward, crying, That's he, drag him out.' Mr. Erskine, from whose carriage the mob had taken off the horses to draw him home in triumph, stopped the people, saying, I will not go without the attor ney-general.' I instantly addressed them: So you imagine that if you kill me, you will be without an attorney-general? Before ten o'clock to-morrow there will be a new attorney, by no means so favorably disposed to you as I am.' I heard a friend in the crowd exclaim, 'Let him alone, let him alone! They separated, and I proceeded. When I reached my house, in Gower-street, I saw close to my door the tall man who stood near me in court. I had no alternative. I instantly went up to him. What do you want?' I said. Do not be alarmed,' he answered, I have attended in court during the whole of the trials. I know my own strength, and am resolved to stand by you. You once did an act of great kindness to my father. Thank God you are safe at home; may be bless

"Thomas Erskine was one of the ablest and most intrepid advocates that ever adorned the bar. His nerve and courage were not easily to be shaken; and no consideration would ever induce him to forbear from trying any point which he considered would benefit his client. His style of speaking was declamatory, but not diffuse-his vivid imagination supplied him with forcible images-which, clothed in language of transparent beauty, never failed to carry the jury along with him.

His

"Erskine would often take laudanum to assist him in speaking. It excited his imagination, and enabled him to make those brilliant appeals to the jury in which he manifested his great powers. Much of this eloquence he owed to his high animal spirits: without such let no one hope to be a great orator! carefulness in getting up his cases was remarkable, although he was fond of pretending that he did every thing in obedience to the mere impulses of the moment. He was not only great on great occasions: in cases of inferior importance, where dazzling eloquence would have been out of place, he was judicious and effective. He had all the timid susceptibilities of genius. When speaking, he would look round to the bar for encouragement, Once, looking at Garrow, and not perceiving any sign of approbation on his countenance, Erskine whispered to him.

Who do you think can get on with that d-d wet blanket-face of yours before him?' He once, in addressing a jury, observed a barrister sitting near him,

whose mouth nature, in her wisdom, had been pleased to contort. If that fellow is not removed,' he said, in a low tone, to some one near him, I shall certainly sit down.' He examined witnesses with great discretion, and succeeded very happily in turning such as displayed great self-conceit into deserved ridicule. Once examining a person who travelled for a great London house, Erskine asked him if he were not a rider ?' 'I'm a traveller, sir,' replied the witness, with an air of offended importance. Indeed, sir, and pray are you not addicted to the failing usually imputed to travellers?' Erskine was on one occasion counsel for the defendant, in an action brought to recover the value of a quantity of whalebone. The defence was, that the whalebone was of inferior quality to what it was asserted. The witness by whom Erskine hoped to establish his case was so stupid, that he appeared not to know the difference between thick whalebone and long whalebone. At length, driven to desperation, Erskine exclaimed, Why, man, you seem not to know the difference between what is thick and what is long. Now, I'll tell you the difference. You are a thick-headed fellow, but you are not a long-headed fellow.'

"Erskine is said never to have cared for consultations. Mr. Espinasse mentions his accompanying a client one evening to Erskine's chambers. In the room into which they were shown were between thirty and forty phials, each containing a slip of geranium. When Erskine came, he said, Espinasse, do you know how many sorts of geraniums there are?' Not I, truly,' was the reply. There are above a hundred,' said he, and then, much to the annoyance of the solicitor present, launched out into a long dissertation upon the various merits of each kind. At length he stopped, and said, Espinasse, now state the case, for I have no time to read my brief.' Mr. Espinasse did so, and there the consultation ended. The anxious attorney, however, had the pleasure next morning of hearing his case admirably argued by Erskine every point put with accuracy, and enforced with eloquence.' As an evidence of his indifference to the etiquette of the profession, the following circumstance is remarkable :- He had a favourite dog whose name was Toss. This dog he taught to sit up in a chair with his forepaws placed before him on the table. Erskine would then tie one of his bands round the dog's neck, put an open book between his paws, and introduce him in this attitude to his clients."

Erskine was, during the short administration of "The Talents," their chancellor. "Remember," said the king, when Fox's list was presented to him, "remember that he is your chancellor, not mine." The King was supposed to have entertained strong objections to him for his having undertaken Paine's defence. With all his prejudices, which yet seldom led him wrong, the King had probably better grounds for the objection which he thus intimated, but did not press. Erskine had never practised in the court of chancery, and not only was unacquainted with the practice of equity, but never had high character as a common-law lawyer. The accidents of politics placed him in a situation altogether unsuitable, but from which the shortness of the reign of his party removed him before his incompetency was very glaringly exhibited. From the bar he received every assistance, and his conduct to them was marked with urbanity. Lord Eldon gave him the honorable testimony, that "none could have a greater wish to discharge properly the duties of his office, nor greater abilities to qualify him for their due discharge. Learning, which he had no opportunity of acquiring, he wanted. "Lord Erskine," says Byron, was the most brilliant person imaginable-quick, vivacious, and sparkling, he spoke so well that I never felt tired of listening to him, even when he abandoned himself to the subject of which all his dear friends and acquaintances expressed themselves so much fatigued-self. His egotism was remarkable, but there was a bon hommie in it that showed he had a better opinion of mankind than they deserved. Erskine had been a great man, and he knew it." Erskine was one day remarking to Mr. Lamb, of Gray's Inn, how much habit and the practice of speaking gave an advocate confidence in addressing the court."I protest," said Lamb, "I do not find it so. I have been a good many years at the bar, and have had my share of business, yet do not find my confidence increase; indeed, the con

"Why,"

trary is rather my case." replied Erskine, "its nothing wonderful that a lamb should be sheepish." Boswell met him, in his younger days, at Sir Archibald M-Donald's-he was then " a young officer in the regimentals of the Scot's Royals, who talked with a vivacity, fluency, and precision so uncommon, that he attracted particular attention." He told the party that at Minorca he had not only read prayers but preached to the regi ment. "This," says our author, "was always a favourite boast of his. Το have been a sailor, a soldier, a parson, and a lawyer, was the greatest source of his pride."

He had a great regard for money. He acquired a large fortune, and calculating on political convulsions in England, rashly invested it in American securities. The close of his life was clouded by misfortune, and he suffered the humiliation of pecuniary difficulties. In his old age he became a farmer, and then he boasted to George Colman of his three thousand head of sheep. "I see," said the old humorist," that your lordship has still an eye to the woolsack."

But we have loitered too long with our companionable guide. His book has the fault of not being very well arranged-and the effect is sometimes startling. Gentlemen, whom we had left quietly dead and buried in one chapter, are apt to rise up most unexpectedly, despite of marble cenotaphs, and weeping widows, and bar lamentations, in the next. Where do you think we find the fullest account of Thurlow? In the chapter on “Legal Eccentricities." He is scarcely disposed of there, when we have him again among advocates, and again in the chapter of Chancellors. Still, in a gossiping book of the kind, this fault, though troublesome enough to any one undertaking to give an account of it, is not of much moment to the reader. The snatches of information it contains, are derived from a great variety of sources, and the book is both amusing and instructive.

were

Ir is as tantalizing for us to read a good book of travels as it must be for one of our University Fellows to attend a wedding Yes the "sic vos non nobis" feeling creeps over us, and we enviously wish we after doing the tour ourselves, and had changed positions with the authorwe being the viewers of the fine places, and he (if it so pleased him) the reviewer of the fine book we should undoubtedly have written. But, alas!

this no sooner rises than it is laid low by the consideration that we are passè

-off the sod-down before, like old racers, and, therefore, only fit to draw on as hackneys; and, no doubt, such old fellows as we of the garret would make but sorry play in ascending a volcano, descending into a catacomb, or creeping up, like a green lizard, the pyramid of Cephrenes. Well, be it so, allowing we are rather the worse for the wear yet, gentle reader, in case you be the owner of a yacht, and are disposed for a trip to the Pyramids or Jerusalem, and are desirous of a philosopher and friend, a mentor or a medico, for the occasion, here we are at your service, and may, in some measure, make up for activity by our being ready to do any thing in reason for your amusement or well-being-to dose you or doze you, as you may need-willing, in a word, to do any subordinate thing, we say, in reason, but eat your toads. We remember, in our palmy days, when time and cash were more at command than just now, standing in no patient mood at the inn door of a country town in Munster, and waiting for the Dublin coach; therein expecting to get a seat; and lo! the HORN Sounds -not bugle, but that of a real cowand the rumbling mountain of wood and leather drives up, and it is full, fraught with a whole nursery of maids and children. We would-even sup

pose we could-as soon travel with a menagerie of parrots and monkeys ;— so, considering the coach as neither capable or tenable, we called out, with no small impatience, to the hostler to produce his best chaise and pair; and, while it was getting ready—and an ilegant affair it certainly was-we were accosted by a slim-nosed, sharp-eyed, sallow-complexioned person-tall, but stooping-shabby-genteel in attire. soft and silky in address-the mouth, in its encircling lines, according with the habitual smile of one who was oftener in the way of asking than granting a favor. This person, accosting with that modest assurance which belongs to Munster men of a particular grade-and of which you may see numerous specimens at the assizes of Ennis or Tralee-begged leave to acquaint us, that if it suited our mood to enjoy a merry journey to the city, and partake of a fund he possessed of stories, anecdotes, and songs, HE was ready to take a seat beside us, and said, if we gave the room he would give the company. The broad, pure Milesian impudence of the proposition caught our fancy, and the seat to town was as readily acceded as it was demanded— and it was without repentance, for a more entertaining companion never have we since met in our long rub through life. Could we recollect the tithe of what we listened to, and could we dish up the entertainment with all the sauce piquante of his most rare drollery, the University Magazine might be supplied by us with a series of Munster recollections, that would almost equal the humours of Harry Lorrequer. Never have we since lamented the good cheer that was bestowed on this queer fellow during the three days of our travel, (and claret was then to be had of prime quality in the Southern inns,) and in spite of our diminished