His Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson, 36. His first Judgment, 37. His vigorous

Study of the Law, 37. He falls into Ill Health, 28. He removes from Oxford

to London, 39. His "First Perch," and how he bought Sprats for Supper in

Fleet Market, 39. His dislike of Lord Mansfield, 39. His Dialogue with

Serjeant Hill, 40. Letter from him, giving an Account of his Life when a

Student, 41. His Joke against his own Practice of borrowing Books, and not

returning them, 42. He abandons Literature, 42. His great Proficiency in

Law, 43.

CHAPTER CXCIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF

a

LORD CHANCELLOR ELDON TILL HE RECEIVED A

SILK GOWN.

He is called to the Bar, 44. Inaccurate Representation by him of his Want of

Success, 44. How he was cheated out of his first Fee, 44. Adventure on his

first Circuit, 45. His first Year's Profits, 45. He is patronised by Stoney

Bowes, who married the Countess of Strathmore, 46. His Début as a Mob

Orator, 46. He is Counsel before an Election Committee, 47. Death of his

Father, 48. He hires a House in Newcastle, and means to become a Provincial

Counsel, 48. His Diplomatic Arts, 49. Supposed Lawfulness of " White

Lies," 50. He removes to Carey Street, 50. His bad Start in the Court of

Chancery, 51. He again falls into Ill Health, and consults Dr. Heberden, 51.

His Success on the Circuit, 52. He begins Business in the " Ropewalk," 52. He

is in danger of being robbed by a Client, 53. He again meditates retiring as

66 Provincial," 53. But gains great Distinction as an Equity Counsel, 53.

His Account of his Victory in Ackroyd v. Smithson, 54. Incorrect Statement

of his having refused a Mastership in Chancery, 56. Danger to which he was

exposed in Lord George Gordon's Riots, 57. Compliment to the Military

Prowess of the Lawyers, 57. His Account of the Distinction he gained before

an Election Committee, 58. Different Stories of the Manner in which he first

gained Distinction on the Circuit, 60. Q. Whether an Averment in a Declara-

tion for Assault and Battery by a Gentleman against a Lady, that " she assaulted,

and beat him with her Hand," be supported by Proof that she threw her Hand of

Cards in his Face? 60. Hobson's Choice, 61. How he got on by breaking the

Ten Commandments, 61. He fills the Offices of Attorney and Solicitor General

in the Grand Court on the Northern Circuit, 62. Indictment against Sir T.

Davenport for Murder by a "Long Speech," 62. Compunction of a successful

Lawyer, 63. Hoax upon Jack Lee, 63. Boswell's Motion for a Writ of Quare

adhæsit pavimento? 64. Mr. Scott in danger of being drowned, 66. Responsi-

bility of Parsons, 66. Trial by Jury, 66. Mr. Scott's Despondency, 67.

goes to see Mrs. Siddons, 67.

His Silk Gown, 68.

He

CHAPTER CXCIV.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HE WAS MADE SOLICITOR

69.

GENERAL.

Mr. Scott's Abstinence from Politics, 69. His private Sentiments on public Affairs,

He agrees to come into Parliament to oppose the “Coalition,” 70. He is to

be returned for Weobly, 70. His Speech to the Weoblyites, 71. Failure of Scott

and Erskine in the House of Commons, 71. Scott's Scripturo-classico-pathetico-

jocular Speech, 72. He is ridiculed by Sheridan, 74. Mr. Pitt Prime Minister,

75. Mr. Scott's Promotion expected, but postponed, 75. Refusal of the Sup-

plies, 75. Dissolution of Parliament, 75. Mr. Scott is re-elected for Weobly,

76. The Westminster Scrutiny, 76. Mr. Scott's Speech against the Govern-

ment, 77. He is praised by Mr. Fox, 78. He supports Warren Hastings till

Mr. Pitt takes the other Side, 79. His Speech for "Free Trade" against those

Whigs who were for "Protection," 79. He is made Chancellor of the County

Palatine of Durham, 80. His Exhortation to a Ward of his Court, 80. He

supports a Bill to compel the E. I. Company to pay a Debt to the Government,

81. Sir Philip Francis's Speech against Mr. Scott and the Lawyers, 81. Mr.

Scott is made Solicitor General to the King, and knighted, 84. He goes the

Northern Circuit when Solicitor General, 86. Fines for Absence, &c., 86.

Lord Eldon elected Solicitor General of the Circuit, 87. Prosecution by Lord

Eldon while Solicitor General, 87. Lord Eldon Attorney General of the Cir-

cuit, 87. Prosecutions by Lord Eldon while Attorney General, 88.
Bet by

Lord Eldon that Dunning would be Chief Justice of the King's Bench, 89.

Lord Eldon fined for entering the Assize Town before the Commission Day, 89.

Lord Eldon congratulated on his Silk Gown, &c., 89. Resolution moved by

Lord Eldon against the Attorney and Solicitor General, 89. Lord Eldon fined

for not dining at the Circuit Table, &c., 89. Lord Eldon of signal Service in

executing the Process of the Grand Court, 90. Lord Eldon about to become a

Director of the E. I. Company, 90. Lord Eldon fined for asking Leave of

Absence from the House of Commons to attend the Circuit, 90. Lord Eldon

moves Remonstrance to be presented to Mr. Justice Buller, for puffing Mr. Law

on calling him within the Bar at Lancaster, 91. Mr. Justice Buller's Puff on

Mr. Law-supposed to have been written by Mr. Law himself, 91. Lord

Eldon's Report of what he had done in presenting the Remonstrance to Mr. Jus-

tice Buller, 92. Charge against Lord Eldon of not making dull Speeches on the

Circuit but convicted of making dull Speeches and writing dull Paragraphs

elsewhere, 92. Lord Eldon guilty of "huggery," 93. Lord Eldon congratu-

lated on being appointed Solicitor General to the King, knighted, &c., 3.

Where Lord Eldon found the Principles and Examples by which he was advanced

to Honour and Fame, 93. Entries in the Records of the Northern Circuit

respecting Lord Loughborough, 94.

CHAPTER CXCV.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HE BECAME ATTORNEY GENERAL.

The King's Illness, 87. Sir John Scott supports the Right of the two Houses to

elect a Regent, 95. Despotism of the Great Seal, 96. His Defence of giving

the Patronage of the Household to the Queen, 97. He maintains that the

Holder of the Great Seal for the Time being is King of this Country, 98.

The King's Recovery, 99. Whig Rhymes on Sir John Scott, and other

Opponents, 99. Translation of Lord Belgrave's Greek Quotation, 100. By

Sir John Scott, 100. By Lord Thurlow, 100. Quiet Life of the Solicitor

General for four Years, 101. His Statement to George III. of his Gains,

101. Demonstration of Sir John Scott having grossly misrepresented to the

King his Profits as Solicitor General, 102. Q. Whether Hastings's Impeach-

ment abated by the Dissolution of Parliament? 102. His equivocal Support of

Fox's Libel Bill, 104. His Statement of his Determination to resign on the

Removal of Thurlow, 104. He prosecutes a Man who challenged him for what

he had said in the Discharge of his Duty at the Bar, 105.

CHAPTER CXCVI.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD CHANCELLOR ELDON TILL HE WAS MADE

CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE COMMON PLEAS.

Sir John Scott's Conduct as Attorney General to the King, 106.

His Defence of the

Prosecution of John Frost, 106. The Treason Trials in 1794, 108. How far Sir
John Scott to be blamed respecting them, 109. The Attorney General's Speech

against Hardy, 110. Anecdotes of these Trials related by Lord Eldon, 111.

Impropriety of trying other Cases after the Acquittal of Hardy, 113. The

Attorney General charged with talking Treason, 113. Sir John Scott's "good

Name," 114. Inheritance left by Sir John Scott to his Children, 114. Sir John

Scott's Defence of himself for instituting these Prosecutions, 115. Insufficiency

of this Defence, 117. Legislative Measures of Coercion, 117. Discussion on

the State Trials in the House of Commons, 118. Insults offered to the King

going to Parliament, 119. The Treasonable Attempts Bill, 119. Object and

Operation of the new Law of Treason, 119. Sir John Scott's Boast of the

Number of his Prosecutions for Libel, 120. Improper Prosecution for Libel,

instigated by the Whigs, 121. This is laudably opposed by Sir John Scott, 122.

He conducts the Prosecution with Fairness, 122. His salutary Bill to regulate

the Publication of Newspapers, 123. Acquittal of Crossfield, 123. Trial of

Arthur O'Connor and O'Coigley for Treason, 124. Improper Prosecution and

Convictions for Libels, 124. Prosecution of Lord Thanet and Cutlar Fergusson,

for a Riot in a Court of Justice, 126. Favourable Specimens of Sir John Scott's

forensic Eloquence, 126. Q. Whether a wooden Machine may be invented to

draw Bills and Answers in Chancery? 127. Ingenious Evasion of the Duty on

French Gloves, 128. A Scotsman's best Proof of "Taste," 128. Sir John

Scott a Soldier. He is expelled from the awkward Squad for Awkwardness, 128.

Testimonies to his general Demeanour while he was at the Bar, 129. Amiable

and disinterested Conduct of Sir John Scott as a Counsel, 130.

CHAPTER CXCVII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HE WAS MADE LORD CHANCELLOR,

Death of Lord Chief Justice Eyre, 131.

Justice of the Commons Pleas, 131.

Mother announcing his Elevation, 132.

Sir John Scott succeeds him as Chief

And is made a Peer, 131. Letter to his

And to his Brother, 133. The King

He proves

forbids him to leave off a Wig without wearing a long Beard, 133.

a great Common Law Judge, 133. His Judgments, 134. Doubtful Decision

against the Right of Roman Catholic Peers to frank, 134. If Tailors are indicted

for a Riot, Q. How many must be proved to have been present? 135. Lord

Eldon takes his Seat in the House of Lords, 136. His maiden Speech, 136.

He supports the Bill to prevent the Marriage of a Woman divorced for Adultery

with her Paramour, 137. Death of his Brother Henry, 138. And of his

Mother, 138. Dissolution of Mr. Pitt's Administration, 138. Lord Eldon to be

Chancellor, 139. Answer to Letter of Congratulation from Lord Kenyon, 139.

Letter of Congratulation from Lord Thurlow, 139. State of Confusion during

the King's Illness, 140. Consideration of Lord Eldon's Conduct in obtaining the

King's Signature for public Business when his Majesty was under medical

Restraint, 141. Documents showing the State of the King's Faculties at this

Time, 141. Lord Eldon's "Anecdote Book," 141. Letter from the King to

Lord Eldon, 141. Dr. John Willis to the Lord Chancellor, 142. Mr. Adding-

ton to Lord Eldon, 143. Dr. Thomas Willis to Lord Eldon, 143. Lord Eldon

to the King, 144. The King to Lord Eldon, 145. The Princess Elizabeth to

Dr. Thomas Willis, 145. The same to the same, 146. The same to the same,

147. Dr. Thomas Willis to Lord Eldon, 147. The King to Lord Eldon, 148.

The same to the same, 148. Lord Eldon's Conduct on this Occasion excused,

149. Lord Eldon installed as Chancellor, 150.

CHAPTER CXCVIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HIS FIRST RESIGNATION OF THE

GREAT SEAL.

Lord Chancellor Eldon in the House of Lords, 152. Alarm by Symptoms of a

Return of the King's Malady, 153. Negotiations for Peace with France, 154.

Letter from Lord Eldon to Lord Loughborough on the Peace, 155. Lord

Loughborough gives Lord Eldon his Proxy, 156. Lord Eldon to Lord Lough-

borough, 156. Lord Eldon's Defence of the Articles of Peace, 156. Letters from

the King to Lord Eldon, 158. Bank Restriction, 159. Lord Eldon's Alarm on

being appointed High Steward of the University of Oxford, lest he should be

obliged to return Thanks in Latin, 159. Hoax upon the Chancellor by his Son,

159. Return of the King's Illness, 160. Lord Eldon's Declaration on the

Subject in the House of Lords, 160. Embarrassment from the King being

disabled when the Mutiny Act was about to expire, 161.

Eldon, 161. Lord Eldon's Statement respecting the

obtained the Royal Assent to the passing of Bills, 163.

and Lord Eldon during the King's Illness, 165. The King's Presence of Mind

in his Illness, 165. Lord Eldon defended on the Necessity of the Case, 166.

Serious Charge against him of betraying Mr. Addington, 166. Mr. Pitt's Desire

to return to Office, 166. Lord Eldon, without the Knowledge of Mr. Addington,

engages in an Intrigue to turn him out, 167. Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon, 167.

Their tête-à-tête Dinner, 167. Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon, 168. Same to same, 169.

Incorrect Statement of Mr. Twiss, 169. Altercation between Lord Eldon and

Mr. Addington on the Discovery of this Intrigue, 170. Lord Eldon induces the

Course taken by Lord

Manner in which he

Anecdote of the King

King to part with Mr. Addington, 170. Mr. Pitt to Lord Eldon, 170.

Change of Government announced in the House of Lords, 171. Mr. Pitt writes

a long Letter to the King, 172. Mr. Pitt's Letter designated by the King "an

Essay containing empty Words and little Information," 172. Lord Eldon's Denial

that he had disinclined the King to admit Mr. Fox into the Cabinet, 173.

Formation of Mr. Pitt's last Government, 173. Correspondence between

Mr. Pitt and Lord Eldon, 173. The King to Mr. Addington, 174. Mr. Pitt

to Lord Eldon, 174. Mr. Pitt again in Office, 175. Lord Eldon's Account of

these Transactions, 175. Lord Eldon's Plea that he was the King's Chancellor,

not Mr. Addington's, 177. Consummate Skill as an Intriguer displayed by Lord

Eldon, 177. Equivocal State of the King's mental Faculties continues, 178.

King's Recovery, 179. Lord Eldon during Mr. Pitt's second Administration, 180.

Declaration of his Principles respecting Catholic Emancipation, 180. Differences

between the King and the Prince of Wales, 181. Fracas between Lord Eldon

and the Prince of Wales, 183. Exemplary Conduct of Prince Edward, 183.

Tottering State of the Ministry, 184. Vote against Lord Melville, 185. Death

of Lord Eldon's eldest Son, 185. His Grief, 186. Sympathy which he ex-

perienced, 186. Death of Mr. Pitt, 187. Formation of new Government. Lord

Eldon attempts no intrigue on this Occasion, 187. He announces his Resign-

ation, 188. Lord Eldon's Farewell Address to the Bar, 188. His letter to Lady

Eldon, 188. His Accounts of his Interview with George III. when he sur-

rendered the Great Seal, 189 Lord Eldon's meritorious Services during his first

Chancellorship, 189. The Pains he bestowed upon the Recorder's Report, 189.

Lord Eldon's Discontent and bad Prospects, 190.

CHAPTER CXCIX.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL HE WAS RESTORED TO THE

WOOLSACK.

Lord Eldon an Ex-Chancellor, 191. Alarm caused by Fox's Favour with the
King, 191. Lord Eldon's Speech against the Chief Justice of the King's Bench

having a Seat in the Cabinet, 191. Consternation among the Tories by the

King's Consenting to dissolve the Parliament, 193. Lord Eldon's Rage against

his Majesty, 193. Lord Eldon's Explanation of the King's supposed Dislike

to him, 194. Lord Eldon prepared for factious Opposition and personal Attacks

on the King, 194. Lord Eldon to Lord Melville on the Conduct of the Tory

Opposition, 195. Scheme for publishing "The Book," 196. The “Delicate

Investigation," 196. Lord Eldon takes up the Cause of the Princess of Wales,

197. Lord Eldon's Intimacy with the Princess, 197. Letter from the Princess to

Lord Eldon, 198. Same to same, 198. Report of the Commissioners upon the

Charges against the Princess, 199. She acts under Lord Eldon's Advice, 199.

The Princess of Wales to Lord Eldon, 200. Same to same, 201. Lord Eldon

and Mr. Perceval compose and print "The Book," 201. Favourable Prospects

of the Whig Government, 203. Lord Eldon opposes the Abolition of the Slave

Trade, 203. Lord Eldon and the Duke of Cumberland, 203. Measure impru-

dently brought forward in Favour of Roman Catholic Officers, 204. Cry raised,

that the Church was in Danger, 204. Bill abandoned. Unconstitutional Pledge

demanded by the King, 205. Defended by Lord Eldon, 205. Restoration

of the Tories, 206. Lord Eldon's pretended Sorrow at receiving the Great Seal,

206. His gross Hypocrisy or Self-delusion, 208. His cordial Reception from

the Bar on his Return to the Court of Chancery, 209. His Disclaimer of giving

Advice to the King when out of Office, 209. Intention, after the Formation

of the new Government, still to publish "The Book," 211. It is suppressed, 211.

Intention to republish it in Sunday Newspaper, 212. The Attorney General

files an Information to prevent the Publication, 213. The Case comes on before

Lord Chancellor Eldon, 213. Injunction granted, 213. Lord Eldon justified

in granting it, 213. The Princess of Wales still kindly treated by Lord

Eldon, 214.

CHAPTER CC.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELDON TILL THE PERMANENT ILLNESS OF

GEORGE III.

Lord Eldon urges the Dissolution of the new Parliament, 215. And defends this

Measure in the House of Lords, 216. He throws out the Bill for establishing

Parochial Schools, 217. His Influence in the Duke of Portland's Ministry, 217.

Orders in Council, 218. Seizure of Danish Fleet, 218. Jesuits' Bark Bill, 220.

Lord Eldon gives a grand Dinner to the Princess of Wales, 221. Visit of the

Duke of Cumberland to Encombe, 221. Proceedings in the House of Commons

against the Duke of York, 221. Ceremony of Lord Byron taking his Seat in

the House of Lords, 222. Ministerial Crisis on the Retirement of the Duke of

Portland, 223. Lord Eldon summoned from the Country, 224. Scheme for

depriving him of the Great Seal, 224. His Letter on this Occasion to Lady

Eldon, 224. Bulletins sent by Lord Eldon to Lady Eldon during the Ministerial

Crisis, 227. Duel between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, 228. Lord

Eldon to his Brother Sir William, 232. Triumph of Lord Eldon, 233. His

Talent for political Intrigue. 233. Perceval his Prime Minister, 233. Lord

Eldon Candidate for the Office of Chancellor of the University of Oxford, 233.

He is defeated, 234. His Resentment against the King and others, 235. Com-

plimentary Letter to him from George III. on this Subject, 235. Lord Eldon

begins to cultivate the Prince of Wales, 236. Lord Eldon's Defence of Offices

in Reversion, 237. He opposes the Bill to abolish the Punishment of Death for

Stealing to the Value of five Shillings, 238. His able Vindication of Parliamentary

Privilege, 240. His Opposition to Catholic Emancipation, 240.