and the bar, it is just the
case in which one cannot suspect flattery. If there are independent
critics in this world, it is British barristers.' Briefly, it is a
delicious 'Pisgah sight of Palestine.' If, in Indian phrase, he could
only become 'pucka' instead of 'kucha'--a permanent instead of temporary
judge--he would prefer it to anything in the world. He feels less
anxious, and declares that he has 'not written a single article this
week'; though he manages when work is slack, to find time for a little
writing, such as the chapter in Hunter's 'Life of Lord Mayo.'

The assizes were being held at Salisbury soon afterwards, when Fitzjames
was summoned to London by a telegram from Coleridge. Coleridge had to
tell him that if he could stand for Dundee, where a vacancy had just
occurred, he would probably be elected; and that, if elected, he would
probably, though no pledge could be given, be made Solicitor-General.
Lord Romilly had retired from the Mastership of the Rolls in March. The
appointment of his successor was delayed until the Judicature Act, then
before Parliament, was finally settled. As, however, Coleridge himself
or the Solicitor-General, Sir G. Jessel, would probably take the place,
there would be a vacancy in the law offices. Fitzjames hesitated; but,
after consulting Lord Selborne, and hearing Coleridge's private opinion
that he would be appointed Solicitor-General even if he failed to win
the seat, he felt that it would be 'faint-hearted' to refuse. He was to
sit as judge, however, at Dorchester, and thought that it would be
improper to abandon this duty. The consequent delay, as it turned out,
had serious effects. From Dorchester he hurried off to Dundee.

He writes from Dundee on Sunday, July 27, 1873, giving an account of his
proceedings. He had been up till 5 A.M. on the morning of the previous
Tuesday, and rose again at eight. He did not get to bed till 3 A.M. on
Wednesday. He was up at six, went to Dorchester, and attended a 'big
dinner,' without feeling sleepy. On Thursday he tried prisoners for four
hours; then went to London, and 'rushed hither and thither' from 10 P.M.
till 2 A.M. on Friday. He was up again at six, left by the 7.15 train,
reached Dundee at 10.30, and was worried by deputations till past
twelve. Part of the Liberal party had accepted another candidate, and
met him with a polite request that he would at once return to the place
whence he came. He preferred to take a night's rest