f things.

My clerk came rushing into my room one day so pale and excited that I
wondered if the man had lost his wife or child. He did not leave me
long in suspense as soon as he could articulate his words.

"Sir," said he, "you know those Emmets that you have done so much
for?"

I remembered.

"Well, sir, they've taken a brief to another counsel."

It was a serious misfortune, no doubt, and I had to soothe him in the
best manner I could; so to lessen the calamity I made the best joke I
could think of in the circumstances, and said the Emmets were small
people, almost beneath notice.

I don't wonder that he did not see it with tears in his eyes; his
distress was painful to witness. The poor fellow was dumbfounded, but
at last shook his head, saying,--

"We've had a good deal from those Emmets, sir."

"But you need not make mountains out of ant-hills."

He did not see that either.

I was now living in Bond Street, and for the first time in my life was
taken seriously ill. My clerk's worry then came home to me; not about
a single brief, but about a great many. Illness would be a very
serious matter, as I had arrived at an important stage in my career. A
barrister in full practice cannot afford to be ill. In my distress
I sent to Baron Martin, as I was in every case in his list for the
following day, and begged him to oblige me by adjourning his court. It
was a large request, but I knew his kindness, and felt I might ask the
favour. Baron Martin, I should think, never in his life did an unkind
act or refused to do a kind one. He instantly complied with my
request, and did not listen for a moment to the "public interest,"
as the foolish fetish is called which sometimes does duty for its
neglect. The "public interest" on this occasion was the interests of
all those who had entrusted their business to my keeping. The public
interests are the interests of the suitors.

My illness threatened to be fatal. I had been overworked; and nothing
but the greatest care and skill brought me round. One never knows what
friendship is and what friends are till one is ill.

At length there was a consultation, Drs. Addison, Charles Johnson,
Duplex, and F. Hawkins, my cousin, being present.

It was a kind of medical jury which sat upon me. I will pass over
details, and come to the conclusion of the investigation. After
considering the case, Dr. Addison, who acted as foreman of the jury,
said,--

"We find a verdict of 'Guilt