human
Ha--Aubrey--I'm a few minutes behind time, I'm afraid!--How are you?
gpt
Good-morning, Mr. Attorney--_Cum tot sustineas, et tanta negotia solus_
human
Pho, my dear Aubrey; nonsense! _They've_ enough of my time, surely, without grudging me half an hour's conversation with a friend--ah, ha! They were both quickly seated--and within a minute or two's time the Attorney-General--_more suo_--had _got to business_--the business of the visit. Aubrey perceived the rapidity of the movement; but nothing could be _kinder_ than the manner of his companion, however distinct and decisive his intimation that time was very precious. He approved entirely of Mr. Aubrey's coming to the bar, and strongly recommended him not to lose one day in entering upon the serious practical study of it; informing him that, as an university man, within three years' time he would be eligible to be called to the bar.
gpt
I'll call you myself, Aubrey, if you will allow me,
human
Undoubtedly, said he, among other things, when pressed by Aubrey about the difficulties to be encountered in adopting the legal profession--
gpt
[Here the Attorney-General laughed in the plenitude of his own conscious power.]
human
In a word, Aubrey, if you _determine_ to get on at the bar, you _will_: and if you can but get a bit of a _start_ at the beginning; now, for instance, there's Runningtons' house--one of the very first in London--why if _they_ would push you--your fortune's made. But you must make up your mind to wait a little: you can't get into a great business by a hop, step, and a jump, believe me. Certainly _I_ have no cause to be dissatisfied; I've done pretty well; but I can tell you that eight years passed over me before I earned enough a-year to pay my laundress! With me, accident supplied the place of _connection_: but only suppose how I must have worked in the mean time to be able to do business when it came to me! I know it's said that I was always an idle man; but people were a good deal mistaken about that matter, I can promise them! What _idiots_, indeed, to suppose such a thing! Why, my very first start lifted me into a business of a thousand a-year; and, in the name of common sense, how could I have got through it, if I hadn't worked beforehand? Bah!--Now, if Runningtons'--one of the first firms in the profession--will stand by you, I'll guarantee your making £300 your first year! and if they _won't_, why, don't despair, you'll have to wait a little longer; but it will come at last, depend on it, if you continue on the look-out! Besides, you can help _me_ a little bit, eh? It will be a sort of introduction, you know; but we've time enough to see about that.--I recommend you to get at once into the chambers of some hard-working man, with a good deal of general business, particularly Pleading--let me see --Here the Attorney-General paused, and stroked his chin for a moment or two in a musing manner,
gpt
Ah, yes, there's WEASEL, the very man for your purpose. He's a good pleader, and a neat draftsman; gets through his work very _cleanly_--ah! Weasel's a clear-headed painstaking little fellow--all for law; and he's got a good deal of it. He's not a very polished person, Weasel, ha! ha! but he's an honorable, right-minded man--shall I introduce you? Well, by-and-by, I'll walk over with you.--As to books? oh! why--I suppose you've looked into Blackstone? He's a fine fellow, Blackstone, and deserves all that has been said in his praise. Many think that he's only to be glanced at, at the beginning of their studies; never believe it! He's good to the end of the chapter! I've a profound respect for Blackstone; it's the only book I've read four or five times through--ay, from cover to cover; he makes law lovely! Stick to Blackstone by all means! Reeves--oh! I mentioned _him_, you know. Then I should go, I think, to Coke on Littleton; but we shall have several opportunities of talking over _these_ matters. I really believe, Aubrey, that you are doing a very wise thing in coming to the bar. If you've health, and the average opportunities, (though I think you will have _more_,) I'll undertake to say that in a few years' time you will realize an income--which _may_ be a great one--but which (whatever it may be) you'll _earn_, as you did not the one you've lost; and you'll enjoy it, my dear Aubrey, ten thousand times more! All that I can do for you, I will--command me! By the way, he added, assuming a somewhat anxious expression of countenance and a manner very different from that free, buoyant, off-hand one in which, for the last twenty minutes, he had been speaking, (Aubrey feeling all the while the easy commanding power and simplicity of the resplendent intellect with which he was communing,)
human
I'm almost afraid to ask; but how do you come on, about the----Mesne Profits?
gpt
I have heard nothing whatever about them, as yet, replied Aubrey, sighing; his face suddenly overshadowed with gloom. A moment's pause ensued; which was interrupted by the Attorney-General saying in a very earnest and feeling manner,
human
I hope to Heaven you'll be able to get some favorable arrangement made! You've not seen anything of Mr. Titmouse's attorneys, I suppose?
gpt
Oh, no! replied Aubrey, sighing,
human
Mr. Aubrey nodded.
gpt
Quirk is a stubborn wooden-headed fellow--an old hedgehog! Egad! that man's compounded more felonies, the old scamp, than any man in England! I should like to have him in the witness-box for a couple of hours, or so! I think I'd tickle him a little, said the Attorney-General, with a bitter smile.
human
They say he's a confidential adviser to a sort of Thieves' Association! But there's Gammon: I've had several things to do with _him_. He is a superior man, that Gammon, a very superior man. A keen dog! I recollect him being principal witness in a cause when I was for the plaintiff; and he completely baffled Subtle--ah, ha, how well I recollect it!--Subtle lost his temper at last, because he couldn't make Gammon lose _his_! Ah, how cleverly the fellow twisted and turned with Subtle for nearly an hour! ah, ha--Subtle looked so chagrined!--Have you seen Mr. Gammon?
gpt
No, I've had no occasion.
human
He has a pleasing, gentlemanlike appearance; rather a striking face. _He's_ the man you'll have to deal with in any negotiations on the subject I named. You must mind what you're about with him. You mustn't think me intrusive, Aubrey; but, have they sent in their bill yet?
gpt
I'd give a trifle to know how the plague such people ever came to be concerned in such a case. 'Tis quite out of their way--which is in the criminal line of business!--They'll make their client pay for it through the nose, I warrant him:--By the way, what an inconceivably ridiculous little ass that Titmouse is--I saw him in court at York. If he'd only go on the stage, and act _naturally_, he'd make his fortune as a fool!