much of his time in translating the Latin and orators, occasionally writing political he newspapers (which he was much gratified e always inserted), and sometimes attending of Parliament, exercising his powers by aginary answers to the speeches which he

e application with which he pursued these re long proved injurious to his health, and in of 1780 he went to drink the waters at Bath, experience much benefit. In the beginning that year broke out that extraordinary insurted by Lord George Gordon, which, says Sir has hardly any parallel in our history. "In of profound peace and of perfect security the found itself on a sudden abandoned, as it plunder and the fury of a bigoted and frantic One night, the flames were seen ascending or ten different conflagrations, kindled by isted insurgents. The Inns of Court were : as objects of destruction, and Gray's Inn, any Catholics resided, was particularly obThe barristers and students of the different irt determined to arm themselves in their own did as others did, was up a whole night under tood as sentinel for several hours at the gate

ne

oly

the

the

of a othernce at lty and society oly and

y way of

h a great authors; , the most

e; and the

and other cct upon his

called to the the profession ce of a second pose of attendof M. Roget. the performance as term, he says, her to attend the cident might throw o draw Chancery

species of employment went on very g
for several years, during which, though
in the way of my profession, I had scard
to open my lips in court.

"In the spring of 1784 I first went
All circuits were indifferent to me, for
or connections on any one of them; a
on the Midland, because there appea
men of considerable talents or of h
advocates upon it than upon any other,
a greater opening for me than elsewher
shorter than some other circuits, and w
portant consideration, my travelling
would be less."

A most amiable trait of his characte
following incident. When he was cal
became necessary that he should hav
always in chambers to receive briefs,
the circuit in the various c

him

upon

valet, and groom. He chose, to fill
infirm creature named Bickers, for no
that he might show kindness to his
Evans-the much-loved attendant of
had married this man, and they had
Not having the means to provide for
way, Mr. Romilly adopted this met
tainly suffered," he says, "during s
good nature. He could ride, and st

ears, during which, though I was occupied my profession, I had scarcely any occasion ps in court.

oring of 1784 I first went upon the circuit. ere indifferent to me, for I had no friends s on any one of them; and my choice fell and, because there appeared to be fewer siderable talents or of high character as on it than upon any other, and consequently ning for me than elsewhere; it was besides some other circuits, and what was no unimderation, my travelling expenses upon it

"

iable trait of his character is shown in the ident. When he was called to the bar, it ssary that he should have a servant to be umbers to receive briefs, &c., and to attend circuit in the various characters of clerk,

ɔom. He chose, to fill this office, a poor e named Bickers, for no other reason than t show kindness to his old servant, Mary uch-loved attendant of his childhood. She his man, and they had fallen into poverty. he means to provide for them in any other milly adopted this method. But, "I cerd," he says, "during several years for my He could ride, and stand behind my chair

The

lar the

cuit,

d on

other

dulge

n was
or do

fund of

patiently = actually is deathungrateful. ment for his showing his Sir Samuel, ured to offer e of great imhim to copy writing upon stice, and upon seen with great n my profession, d observed those talents, far before ers together in his e had at last dis

man

when he ought to be profiting by the
one day took the liberty of representing
great humility. I endeavoured to cal
sions, and told him what I wrote was d
self and by me, but this, doubtless, did
In the year after that in which he
bar Mr. Romilly first formed the ac
Count de Mirabeau, who was then
this introduction he was indebted to hi
and in a short time he became very
extraordinary man, in whose society
treat. He had not then attained to
he afterwards acquired, but "as he
had seen a great deal of the world
with all the most distinguished pers
either the royal court or the repul
France, had a great knowledge of F
literature, and possessed a very go
versation was extremely interesting
instructive.

By Mirabeau he was introduced to
who made him acquainted with Lord
request of that nobleman, who upon
the author of an anonymous tract en
on the Constitutional Power and Du
become desirous of his acquaintan
Mr. Romilly would call on him, in co
desire the meeting took place.

k the liberty of representing to me with very ity. I endeavoured to calm his apprehenold him what I wrote was only seen by himme, but this, doubtless, did not satisfy him.” ear after that in which he was called to the milly first formed the acquaintance of the Mirabeau, who was then in England. For ction he was indebted to his Parisian friends, ort time he became very intimate with this y man, in whose society he found a rich had not then attained to the great celebrity Is acquired, but "as he had read much, great deal of the world, was acquainted e most distinguished persons who adorned royal court or the republic of letters in

a great knowledge of French and Italian nd possessed a very good taste, his conas extremely interesting and not a little

eau he was introduced to Benjamin Vaughan, im acquainted with Lord Lansdowne, at the at nobleman, who upon learning that he was of an anonymous tract entitled "A Fragment stitutional Power and Duties of Juries," had irous of his acquaintance, and begged that y would call on him, in compliance with which eeting took place. "He received me," says