common-place inquiries * * *. After I had paid my respects to the
Chancellor, there came tripping up the Marquess of Bristol, with a
springy step, which he must surely have acquired at the old court
of France; for I am sure that no such movement could be attained on
English ground. The elasticity of this noble lord was such, that when
once put in motion, he continued to spring up and down in the manner
of the Chinese figures, which are hawked by the Italian toy-venders.
Had I been told that the head of the house of Newry was a
dancing-master, who had not yet learned the present modes, I should
certainly have believed the story without scruple, if I had met him
anywhere else. He had no sooner left the Chancellor, than he was laid
hold of by a fidgetty solicitor, who was the only member of his class
in the room, and who, I understand, is a sort of favourite of the
Chancellor. The obsequious grin, and the affected ease of this worthy,
do not convey any very favourable impression on his behalf. He was
solicitor for the Queen, and in this capacity formed an intimacy with
her chief counsel, which an ill-natured person would perhaps think
makes him now forget in some measure the great disparity betwixt
their present condition. The Chancellor gave no discouragement to
his familiarity * * *. A variety of lords, squires, generals, _ossa
innominata_ followed, for whom the Chancellor cared perhaps about as
much as I did. At length Sir James Scarlett was announced, and the
Chancellor left his place to meet him. His welcome was very hearty.
Brougham was doubtless gratified by this token of respect from a man
who was indisputably his leader in the courts, and for whose forensic
abilities it is known, that he entertains, and has often expressed,
the highest admiration. The position of the two men was singular, and
to the ex-attorney not very enviable. Scarlett was in high practice
before Brougham was even called to the bar. He kept a head of him in
their profession throughout; and twice he had filled the first places