ed on the librarian and requested information.
He told me that those who did not pass before 1832, had to pay it.
_I_ then said it was due at passing the Civil Law trials, and so,
&c.; and then the man shrugged his shoulders, and allowed I had
convinced him it was only payable by those who did not pass their
_Civil Law_ trials before 1832, and I said no more about the
matter. Dining, however, with Dauney on Tuesday fortnight last, I
heard an observation which led me to a different conclusion, so I
procured the Act as soon as might be, and saw how the matter lay.

"Presuming I had a whole month before me, I determined to try the
thing, notwithstanding the shaking of heads of those to whom I was
_obliged_ to communicate it.

"Finding, on inquiry, that there would be no opportunity of being
examined after the 14th, I will allow I was a little startled, but
still stuck fast, and had a sort of feeling I would be able to
pass, as I do not like setting about what I cannot perform.

"Proceeding in my labours, I gathered confidence, and when the day
came thought it would be rather hard were I rejected. There were
four examined at the same time, and being before myself, I had to
stand their statements of the difficulty and minuteness of the
questions, and they stared not a little when I told them I had
studied the subject for a fortnight and two days; for previous to
that time I had been engaged in the _History_ of Roman Law at
college, and had commenced with the Principles. After the first
question I felt myself secure; yet I will allow I felt a little
easy (_i.e. relieved_) when each of the examiners shook hands with
me, and told me I had given perfect satisfaction.

"The librarian tells me some are rejected in the Civil Law trials,
but _none_ in the Scotch Law, for which I must next year be
prepared. I hope the saving will counter-balance the trouble of
raising the money. I believe I shall enclose you my acknowledgment
for the L200 (the L13 goes to the library, or something of that
sort, which, though rather apocryphal in my nomenclature, shows the
destination of the money). Tell the children[7] if they will write
I will answer them soon, and enclose them something. Pray remember
me to Mr Alcock, and repeat my sense of obligation to him. Tell
Miss