About this time, he said to his brother very quietly, but sadly, that
"he feared his sisters would soon have to bear a severe shock!" He sat
in his chambers, which were within only a few yards' distance from the
Temple Church, on the day of Sir William Follett's funeral. He heard the
tolling of the bell, and from his window[11] he could have seen much of
that solemn ceremonial. What must have been his feelings? This was on
the 4th July; and five days afterwards, (viz. on the 9th,) poor Mr.
Smith appeared, I believe for the last time in the Court of Exchequer,
during the post-terminal sittings in Trinity vacation, to argue a
demurrer! I was present during part of the time. What a dismal object he
looked, while addressing the Court! I think we drove up to the Temple
together. He had argued the case of Bradburne _v._ Botfield, (reported
in 14 Meeson and Welsby, 558,) the last time, I believe, that his name
appears in the Reports. It was a very nice question, as to whether
certain covenants in a lease were joint or several: his argument was
successful, and the Court gave judgment in his favour. The next day he
said to me, speaking of this occasion, "The judges must have thought me
talking great nonsense: I was so weak, that it was with very great
difficulty I could keep from dropping down, for my legs trembled under
me all the time violently, and now and then I seemed to lose sight of
the judges." Yet his argument was distinguished by his usual accuracy,
clearness, and force of reasoning. Nobody could prevail upon him to
abstain from going the summer circuit. He went accordingly, and unless I
am mistaken, held several heavy briefs. When the northern circuit had
closed, I joined my family at Hastings; and found that poor Mr. Smith
was staying alone at the Victoria Hotel, St. Leonards. I called upon him
immediately after my arrival. His appearance was truly afflicting to
behold. Consumption had fixed her talons still deeper in his vitals. He
sat in an easy chair, from which he could not rise without great effort;
and he expressed himself as delighted that I, and another of his oldest