It is a place of serious business; and all ostentation, if perceptible, is ridiculous. Perhaps one or two individuals may be tolerated and allowed to amuse, merely by ornament, or by wit and humour; but an attempt to succeed in this way is ruinous to a new member. It is unfortunately necessary to have something to say, and facts or striking arguments the House will always listen to, though delivered in any terms, however homely, or with any accent, however provincial. Speeches also for constituents are heard with indulgence, if not too frequent, nor too long: but debate, real debate, is the characteristical eloquence of the House; and be assured that the India-house, a vestry, a committee, and other meetings of business, are far better preparatory schools for parliament than debating societies are. In these latter self-possession and fluency may be learnt; but vicious habits of declamation, and of hunting for applause, are too often formed. I remember being told, that in the first meetings of a society at a public school, two or three evenings were consumed in debating whether the floor should be covered with a sail-cloth or a carpet; and I have no doubt that better practice was gained in these important discussions, than in those that soon followed on liberty, slavery, passive obedience, and tyrannicide.

It has been truly said, that nothing is so unlike a battle as a review.

As an illustration of this spirit of serious business, I must mention a quality, which, presupposing great talents and great knowledge, must always be uncommon; but which makes an irresistible impression on a public assembly of educated men. I mean the merit of stating the question in debate fairly; and I mean it as an oratorical, and not merely as a moral, superiority. Any audience, but especially an educated and impatient audience, listens with a totally different kind and degree of attention to a speaker of this character, and to one, who, tempted by the dangerous facility of a feebler practice, either alters, or weakens, or exaggerates the language and sentiments of his adversary.

Mr. Fox was an illustrious example of this honestest, best, and bravest manner: nay, sometimes he stated the arguments of his opponents so advantageously, that his friends have been alarmed lest he should fail to answer them. His great rival formerly, and another accomplished orator now living, have seldom ventured on this hazardous candour. In truth, the last mentioned possesses too many talents; for, betrayed by his singular powers of declamation and of sarcasm, he often produces

more admiration than conviction, and rarely delivers an important speech without making an enemy for life. Had he been a less man he would be a greater speaker, and a better leader in a popular assembly.

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This good faith in controversy not only manifests, but nourishes also another great oratorical excellence,hearty love of the subject and a deep sense of the public welfare, prevailing over that self-regard and desire of victory, inseparable, in some degree, from the infirmity of human nature.

It is not without some misgiving that I perceive with how much more interest you talk of parliament than of chancery. It is very usual and very natural to prefer the former. Let me entreat you to consider well. I have heard one of the ablest and most efficient men in this country (actually at the time the chosen leader of the Opposition, enjoying the fame of such a station, and looking forwards, doubtless, to high office) own, more than once, with much emotion, that he had made a fatal mistake in preferring parliament to the Bar. At the Bar he well knew that he must have risen to opulence and to rank, and he bitterly regretted having forsaken his lawful wife, the profession, for that fascinating but impoverishing harlot, politics.

If you should abandon your Penelope and your home for Calypso, remember that I told you of the advice given, in my hearing, at different times to a young lawyer, by Mr. Windham, and by Mr. Horne Tooke-not to look for a seat till he had pretensions to be made Solicitorgeneral.

Yours is so laborious a calling, and your competitors are so many and so keen, that not only ambition but amusement tempts many to quit the Inns of Court; and I have known several very able young men drawn aside by making a single continental tour, during the long vacation. A passion for travelling has overcome both prudence and the love of distinction.

You will now understand why I was glad to hear that you are going with your sisters, no farther than to Brighton. There Coke and Blackstone will help you profitably (and why not pleasantly?) through the hot hours in the middle of the day; and, if you should take the siesta, you will dream of being Lord Chancellor or Lord Chief Justice.

TO THE SAME.

2nd December, 1817.

IF your low spirits arise from bodily illness (as is often the case), you must consult Dr. Baillie. I can do nothing for you. Perhaps you should fast a little, and walk and ride. But if they are caused by disappointment, by impatience, or by calamity, you can do much for yourself. The well-known, worn-out topics of consolation and of encouragement are become trite, because they are reasonable, and you will soon be cured, if you steadily persevere in a course of moral alteratives.

You have no right to be dispirited, possessing as you do all that one of the greatest, as well as oldest sages has declared to be the only requisites for happiness-a sound mind, a sound body, and a competence.

An anxious, restless temper, that runs to meet care on its way, that regrets lost opportunities too much, and that is over-pains-taking in contrivances for happiness, is foolish, and should not be indulged.

"On doit être heureux sans trop penser à l'être."