ave honest men protection,
And justly famed, by all was named,
Of '_wisdom the perfection_!'

But _now_ the case is different,
The rogues are getting bold--
It was not so, some time ago,
In those good days of old!"

It may be gathered from what has gone before, that Mr. Smith's mind was
one of equal _activity_ and strength. His physical energies might flag,
but never those of his mind. He was always ready to pass from protracted
and intense professional study and exertion, to other kinds of mental
exercise--"from gay to grave, from lively to severe"--either reading
general literature, or amusing himself with slight affairs such as the
foregoing; or, as soon as a little leisure had recruited his spirits,
entering with infinite zest into superior conversation on almost any
topic that could be started. He was for a long time shy and distant to
strangers; but was quite a different person at the tables, and in the
company, of his old friends and companions. There certainly never sate
at _my_ table a man who, when in the humour, could supply for hours
together such genuine fun and amusement as Mr. Smith. Our little
children were always very glad to see him, for he was patient and gentle
with them, and contrived really to entertain them. Towards ladies, his
manner was always most fastidiously delicate and courteous. There was,
if I may so speak, a smack of days gone by--a kind of antique and rather
quaint gracefulness of demeanour and address, which I used frequently to
contemplate with lively interest and curiosity. When he returned from
dining out, to his chambers, he would light his candles, and, instead of
going to bed, sit up till a very late hour; for not only had he much to
get through, but was a bad sleeper. A few years before his death, he had
become a member of the Garrick Club, which was ever after his favourite
resort, and was also frequented by several other members of the bar. He
was delighted to take a friend or two to dinner with him, and would
entertain them most hospitably, and with increasing frequency, as his
means became rapidly more ample. He was also fond of the theatres,
taking special delight in comedies and farces, however broad, and even
pantomimes. With what solemn drollery he would afterwards dwell on the
feats of Clown and Pantaloon! I am here, however, speaking of several
years ago; for latterly he said, "It was a very hard thing to find any
thing to laugh at in a