I feel that it is so even on your own account, and particularly on mother’s account.  The eastern forty acres I intend to keep for mother while she lives; if you will not cultivate it, it will rent for enough to support her—­at least, it will rent for something.  Her dower in the other two forties she can let you have, and no thanks to me.  Now, do not misunderstand this letter; I do not write it in any unkindness.  I write it in order, if possible, to get you to face the truth, which truth is, you are destitute because you have idled away all your time.  Your thousand pretences for not getting along better are all nonsense; they deceive nobody but yourself.  Go to work is the only cure for your case.

A word to mother.  Chapman tells me he wants you to go and live with him.  If I were you I would try it awhile.  If you get tired of it (as I think you will not), you can return to your own home.  Chapman feels very kindly to you, and I have no doubt he will make your situation very pleasant.

Note for Law Lecture.  Written about July 1, 1850

I am not an accomplished lawyer.  I find quite as much material for a lecture in those points wherein I have failed, as in those wherein I have been moderately successful.  The leading rule for a lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence.  Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day.  Never let your correspondence fall behind.  Whatever piece of business you have in hand, before stopping, do all the labour pertaining to it which can then be done.  When you bring a common law-suit, if you have the facts for doing so, write the declaration at once.  If a law point be involved, examine the books, and note the authority you rely on upon the declaration itself, where you are sure to find it when wanted.  The same of defences and pleas.  In business not likely to be litigated,—­ordinary collection cases, foreclosures, partitions, and the like,—­make all examinations of titles, and note them and even draft orders and decrees in advance.  The course has a triple advantage; it avoids omissions and neglect, saves your labour when once done, performs the labour out of court when you have leisure, rather than in court when you have not.

Extemporaneous speaking should be practised and cultivated.  It is the lawyer’s avenue to the public.  However able and faithful he may be in other respects, people are slow to bring him business if he cannot make a speech.  And yet there is not a more fatal error to young lawyers than relying too much on speech-making.  If any one, upon his rare powers of speaking, shall claim an exemption from the drudgery of the law, his case is a failure in advance.

Discourage litigation.  Persuade your neighbours to compromise whenever you can.  Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser—­in fees, expenses, and waste of time.  As a peace-maker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man.  There will still be business enough.