the former, the Chancellor! to the
latter; and the arguments on both sides were carried on with equal
pertinacity.--The Premier would not yield a jot in opinion. Becoming at
last impatient of opposition,

"Why," said he, "the English language is an ambiguity--two
negatives make an affirmative; but in the Latin, two negatives make a
positive."--"Then," said the Chancellor, "your father and mother must
have been two negatives, to make such a positive fellow as you are!"{1}

1 Lord Chancellor Thurlow, although a very eccentric
character, was yet a man of uncommon benevolence. A vacancy
having occurred in a valuable living of which he had the
presentation, numerous were the candidates for the benefice;
and amongst others, one, recommended by several of the
nobility, friends of the ministry, who made himself sure of
the appointment, although, directly or indirectly, the
Chancellor had not given any promise. In the meanwhile, it
was one morning announced to his Lordship, that a gentleman,
apparently a clergyman, waited the honour of an interview.
The servant was ordered to shew the stranger into the
library, whither the Chancellor shortly repaired, and
inquired the object of the visit. "My Lord," said the
other, "I served the office of Curate under the deceased
Rector, and understanding that the presentation is in your
Lordship's gift"--"You want the living," exclaimed the
Chancellor, gruffly. "No, my Lord; my humble pretensions
soar not so high; but I presume, most respectfully, to
entreat your Lordship's influence with the new Incumbent,
that I may be continued in the Curacy." Surprised and
pleased by the singular modesty of the applicant, who had
served the same parish as Curate above twenty years, and now
produced the most ample testimonials of character, his
Lordship entered into conversation with him, and found him
of extensive erudition, and orthodox principles. He
ascertained, besides, that this poor Curate had a wife with
six children entirely dependent on his exertions for
support; and that the remuneration allowed for the faithful
discharge of arduous duties, had been only thirty pounds per
annum. The Chancellor now promised his influence in behalf
of the Curate, with the person who probably might succeed to
the living. "I shall see him," added his Lord