Clients of this character require something more than professional aid. My poor friend's case was not one of the ordinary description, certainly; but this morbid sensibility is not of such rare occurrence as may be supposed, though it is very rarely that the accidents of life wound it thus deeply. It is not easy, perhaps, to estimate the true value of early and total disappointment in worldly prospects; yet on the other hand, it is certain that very early disappointment is by no means fatal to ultimate, and even brilliant success. That there is "a tide in the affairs of men" is true enough; but the hour of its ebb or flood is fortunately too capricious to allow of the maxim being of much practical When we are introduced to a client disposed to surrender himself to the hopeless feelings of Harris, we are bound to sympathize in them, even with fraternal tenderness; but not to share them. In proportion as he is cast down, we must maintain a cheerful, yet tranquil attitude.

use.

Cases of the class which I have been describ ing are, perhaps, the only cases in which an attorney can scarcely go too far in taking a personal interest in his client's affairs; yet even

here, that interest must stop short of identity of feeling; a calm self-possession must be maintained, or he will fail in encouraging his client, for encouragement to hope is imparted more by example than by precept. To undervalue difficulties, to laugh at obstacles which can only be surmounted by patient ingenuity, is inexpedient and dangerous: when their real magnitude becomes apparent, the client will distrust your professional knowledge, and his despondency becomes deeper by the failure of his confidence. All should be clearly and honestly explained to him; but the explanation should be given with the manner of one who knows what he has to encounter, and is conscious that there is nothing in it so formidable, but perseverance and good sense may insure All this is obvious and commonplace, yet it is a most difficult doctrine to reduce to practice; for it is much opposed to that policy which guides the younger members of the profession. Some, I fear too many, think it wise to exaggerate difficulties, that they may secure proportionate credit for surmounting them: others from natural diffidence if not timidity, rate them too highly, to pave the way for ex

success.

pected defeat: there is yet a third class who apprehend their client's displeasure, if they appear to entertain less anxiety and alarm than himself, at the critical position in which he stands. All these motives are personal and selfish, when traced to their source; and selfishness so surely predominates, that the chances are always in favor of an inexperienced attorney acting upon them, in preference to more generous principles. I am convinced, however, that this selfish policy is short-sighted. I have known more than one instance of counsel acquiring an extent of business for which their learning little qualified them, by the consolatory spirit in which they always predicate success. I know many in which counsel of profound knowledge and high attainments have pursued a long career of yearly disappointment, because the nervous apprehension of being turned round on some point which few but themselves would have the acuteness to discover, dismisses the attorney from his conference with gloomy forebodings of the issue. If, notwithstanding he succeeds, he doubts the soundness of the advice, and at all events retains no pleasing recollection of his adviser. The same rule

holds in every respect, between the attorney and his client. A cheerful, I do not mean a sanguine expectation, rallies the spirits, and gives courage to the drooping litigant: it is impossible to give strength of mind to one who is utterly destitute of it, but a temporary firmness, sufficient for the occasion, may often be generated in a timid man who feels himself thrown upon superior resolution for support; and the most certain mode of strengthening his confidence, and removing his depression, is to exhibit the energy that he wants, while you do not deny the emergency that requires it.

It is scarcely foreign to this subject to observe that a great mistake obtains among the junior branches of the profession, and perhaps among many of all ages out of it, as to the qualities which are peculiarly desirable in a solicitor. It is rightly assumed that he must possess a certain share of legal knowledge; though even here, if I may judge by the prosperity of many, less will serve his turn than is commonly sup posed: a liberal education ultra the law, is mostly, but very erroneously, regarded as more accomplishment. I am ashamed to say of my brethren, that I know too many among them,

the style of whose composition would disgrace a chambermaid, and the tone of whose manners would exclude them from the butler's pantry. I know not one however, of this description, who has ever attained, or even aspired to a higher rank in it, than that which might be allowed to a sheriff's officer, or a money-lending Jew. Honesty, in the ordinary and limited sense of the term, is generally presumed as a qualification of course, though ill-natured people do say that it is rather an extraordinary professional trait. All however, are agreed, that to a greater or less extent, according to taste and the character of his business, law, general knowledge, and common honesty are required in an attorney: but discuss the desirable a little further, and we find the usual. definition given of the desiderated animal is that he shall be "a sharp, clever fellow." In deference to this favorite notion, I have assumed my nom de voyage; yet with the inconsistency of many who travel the continent as captains and colonels (I know one gallant old gentleman at this moment, who designates himself abroad as "Monsieur le Colonel," in virtue of an old uniform to which he had acquired a title under