Those were early days to begin picking and choosing briefs, for no man can do that unless he is much more wanted by clients than in want of them; but I learned the secret in after life of a great deal of its success.

I was, however, a little chagrined when I saw the mistake I had made.  Rodwell was leader of the sessions, and ought to have been far above a guinea brief; judge then of my surprise when I saw that same brief a few minutes after accepted by that great man—­the brief I had refused because there was nothing to be said on the prisoner’s behalf.  My curiosity was excited to see what Rodwell would do with it, and what defence he would set up.  It was soon gratified.  He simply admitted the prisoner’s guilt, and hoped the chairman, who was Lord Salisbury, would deal leniently with him.

I could have done that quite as well myself, and pocketed the guinea.  From that moment I resolved never to turn a case away because it was hopeless.

I subjoin a copy of my first brief for the prosecution.

It must be remembered that in those days the gallows was a very popular institution.  They punished severely even trivial offences, and this case would have been considered a very serious one; while a sentence of seven years’ transportation was almost as good as an acquittal.

Herts.  No. 10.  Michaelmas Sessions, 1844.  Regina v.  Elizabeth Norman.  Brief for the Prosecution.  Mr. Hawkins.  I Gua. H.  Hawkins.  Plea—­Guilty.  H.H.  Oct. 14, 1844.  Transported for 7 years.  H.H. Cobliam.  Ware.

These are my notes:—­

Sep. 20.  Mr. Page.  Silk shawl.  Apprehension.

  Various accounts. 
  Exam. before J——­ J——. 
  Propy found. 
  Mrs. Stevens,}
  Mr. Johnson, } Witnesses.

I made a rule throughout my professional life to note my cases with the greatest care.

CHAPTER IV.

AT THE OLD BAILEY IN THE OLD TIMES.

It is a vast space to look back over sixty years of labour, and yet there seems hardly a scene or an event of any consequence, that is not reproduced in my mind with a vividness that astonishes me.

In my earlier visits to her Majesty’s Courts of Justice my principal business was to study the Queen’s Counsel and Serjeants, and they were worthy the attention I bestowed on them.  They all belonged to different schools of advocacy, and some knew very little about it.

I went to the Old Bailey, a den of infamy in those times not conceivable now, and I verily believe that no future time will produce its like—­at least I hope not.  Its associations were enough to strike a chill of horror into you.  It was the very cesspool for the offscourings of humanity.  I had no taste for criminal practice in those days, except as a means of learning the art of advocacy.  In these cases, presided over by a judge who knows