, Mr. Smith was very eager to
peruse them, and seldom failed in doing so. I recollect him one day
borrowing from me the first volume of Mr. Hallam's, "Introduction to the
Literature of Europe in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Centuries," which was
published alone early in 1837. He read it with great interest, and
reviewed it very ably in this Magazine--his only contribution to its
pages, in the No. for May, 1837.

[5] The leading Counsel for the plaintiffs was the present
Vice-Chancellor Knight Bruce; for the defendants the present
Vice-Chancellor Wigram.

He was about the same time reading largely in the State Trials, and
frequently conversed with me upon their interesting character, wondering
that they had so seldom been made really available for the purposes of
amusing literature. He himself selected one of the trials as one
possessed of peculiar capabilities, and intended to have completed it
for this Magazine, but was prevented by his other labours. These lighter
occupations, however, were soon interfered with by his appointment, as
already intimated, to be Common Law Lecturer to the Law Institution in
Chancery Lane, in November, 1837. This he owed entirely to his own
merit, and the reputation which his writings had already gained him in
the profession. I knew that fears were entertained by the directors of
that important institution, lest his unpopular _manner_ should stand in
the way of his usefulness as a lecturer; but aware of his rare
intellectual and legal qualifications, they wisely resolved to try an
experiment, which completely succeeded. I recollect accompanying him, at
his own request, to deliver his first lecture, at the close of 1837. He
was somewhat fluttered when he made his appearance before his audience,
but at once commenced reading with apparent calmness, a very able
introductory lecture, which soon arrested attention, and caused the
committee who sat before him to congratulate themselves on their
selection. He held this appointment till March, 1843, during which time
he delivered a great number of lectures to increasingly attentive
auditories; and as he read over several portions of them to me, I am
able to say that, in my humble judgment, they were of the highest value,
for their clear, close, and correct exposition of some of the most
difficult branches of the law. He had a great talent for communicating
elementary information; and even the most ignorant and stolid of his
listeners cou