be the effect of evidence,—­what shall be the result of legal argument.  As it rarely happens that a man is fit to plead his own cause, lawyers are a class of the community, who, by study and experience, have acquired the art and power of arranging evidence, and of applying to the points at issue what the law has settled.  A lawyer is to do for his client all that his client might fairly do for himself, if he could.  If, by a superiority of attention, of knowledge, of skill, and a better method of communication, he has the advantage of his adversary, it is an advantage to which he is entitled.  There must always be some advantage, on one side or other; and it is better that advantage should be had by talents than by chance.  Lawyers were to undertake no causes till they were sure they were just, a man might be precluded altogether from a trial of his claim, though, were it judicially examined it might be found a very just claim[58].’  This was sound practical doctrine, and rationally repressed a too refined scrupulosity[59] of conscience.

Emigration was at this time a common topick of discourse[60].  Dr. Johnson regretted it as hurtful to human happiness:  ’For (said he) it spreads mankind, which weakens the defence of a nation, and lessens the comfort of living.  Men, thinly scattered, make a shift, but a bad shift, without many things.  A smith is ten miles off:  they’ll do without a nail or a staple.  A taylor is far from them:  they’ll botch their own clothes.  It is being concentrated which produces high convenience[61].’

Sir William Forbes, Mr. Scott, and I, accompanied Mr. Johnson to the chapel[62], founded by Lord Chief Baron Smith, for the Service of the Church of England.  The Reverend Mr. Carre, the senior clergyman, preached from these words, ’Because the Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad[63].’  I was sorry to think Mr. Johnson did not attend to the sermon, Mr. Carre’s low voice not being strong enough to reach his hearing.  A selection of Mr. Carre’s sermons has, since his death, been published by Sir William Forbes[64], and the world has acknowledged their uncommon merit.  I am well assured Lord Mansfield has pronounced them to be excellent.

Here I obtained a promise from Lord Chief Baron Orde[65], that he would dine at my house next day.  I presented Mr. Johnson to his Lordship, who politely said to him, I have not the honour of knowing you; but I hope for it, and to see you at my house.  I am to wait on you to-morrow.’  This respectable English judge will be long remembered in Scotland, where he built an elegant house, and lived in it magnificently.  His own ample fortune, with the addition of his salary, enabled him to be splendidly hospitable.  It may be fortunate for an individual amongst ourselves to be Lord Chief Baron; and a most worthy man now has the office; but, in my opinion, it is better for Scotland in general, that some of our publick employments should be filled by gentlemen of distinction from the south