ining
to the equity branch of the law. By the time he reached manhood he had
acquired considerable erudition, and it was predicted of him that he
would make a mark in his profession. He did his utmost to justify the
prediction, for he had no sooner been called to the bar than he came
before the world as an author. His first publication was a work bearing
upon the law of Evidence. In 1820 he issued a work on Equity Pleading;
and in 1827 appeared his treatise "On the Duties and responsibilities of
Trustees." These works obtained a fair share of recognition, and
doubtless tended to promote his professional success. He enjoyed the
reputation of being an industrious and painstaking lawyer, and a
brilliant and accomplished member of society.

In 1823, when he had reached the age of thirty-one years, he was applied
to for professional advice by the Earl of Strathmore. This event was
destined to have important consequences. The advice led to important
professional employment extending over several months, during which the
clever lawyer was a frequent guest in the Earl's household, and on terms
of intimate social intercourse with the family. In an unhappy hour for
his future peace of mind he formed an attachment to Lady Mary Isabella
Bowes Lyon Willis, one of his lordship's daughters. His attachment was
reciprocated by the young lady, who was possessed of great personal
attractions, and who might doubtless have looked forward to a more
ambitious match; but her noble father had little to offer in the shape
of dowry, and did not oppose her wishes. The marriage took place at
Marylebone Church, in August, 1824. The bridegroom was then thirty-two
years of age, and the bride had just completed her twenty-second year.
This disparity was not sufficient to excite any remark, for Lady Mary
was mature for her age, and the bridegroom had scarcely taken leave of
his youth. For about three years after the marriage the pair resided
with Mr. Willis's mother, at Hendon, a pleasant suburb lying to the
north-west of London; he meanwhile continuing the practice of his
profession in town. All these circumstances materially contributed to
the shaping of the young barrister's future career.

[Sidenote: 1827.]

Mr. Willis enjoyed the social advantages which his union with a
nobleman's daughter was certain to confer. These advantages were fully
appreciated, but they involved certain inevitable consequences, the
principal of which was a material incre