From the publication of Macaulay's first article the "Review" took on a
new lease of life. Prosperity came that way and for the rest of his life
the "Review" was not long without contributions from his pen; and the
numbers that contained his articles were always in great demand. Writers
who possess a piercing insight into the heart of things, and who have the
courage to express themselves, regardless of the views of others, are well
feared by men in power.

The man who knows, who can think, and who can write, holds a sword of
Damocles over every politician.

Governments are honeycombed with vulnerable spots; and to secure the ready
writer on your side is the part of wisdom.

Macaulay's article on Milton proved that there was a thinker loose, and
that on occasion he could strike. The politicians began to court him, and
we find him writing articles of a very Junius-like quality on contemporary
issues.

When he was twenty-six years old we are told he was "called to the Bar,"
which means that he was given permission to practise law--the expression,
"called," being a mild form of fiction that still obtains in England in
legal matters, while in America the word applies only in theology.

The practise of law, however, was not at all to the taste of Macaulay, and
after a few short terms on the circuit he relinquished it entirely.

In the meantime we find he read continually. Indeed, about the only bad
habit this man had was reading. He read to excess--he read everything and
read all the time. He read novels, history, poetry, and dived deeply into