seeking' substantial damages as the result of a favorable verdict, appears to have been almost unknown to our ancestors. The specific fulfilment of the contract, formally
entered into at the betrothal, might, however, as has been stated, be compelled in certain cases by an appeal to the Ecclesiastical Courts. — The Antiquary.
THE YOUNG HORTENSIUS. By George F. Tucker. YOUNG William Heffinger gave great promise when he was admitted to the bar. In the first enthusiasm he declared his purpose of making a great name by strict attention to business and by the faith ful conduct of causes. The estimate placed on his powers by the fond companions at the table and fireside ministered to his con ceit, begat high hopes, and inspired a kind of temporary courage. His mother pre dicted, in subdued but gratified accents, great successes and renown; his father de clared, in a sonorous tone, that achievements were possible, but that diligence and fidel ity were prerequisite; while his puritanical grandmother expressed her sole doubt on a matter of ethics. "Willie," she said solemnly, " can you conscientiously defend a man whom you know to be guilty of the crime with which he is charged?" "Well, grandmother," he replied, " to tell the truth, that does n't trouble me much. They taught me at the law school that criminal matters constitute only about one per cent of the entire subject of law, and that, too, the most inferior part of it. The truth is, I 'm high-toned and ambitious. I 'm going for the other ninety-nine per cent." "What wonderful sagacity! " said the fa ther, in an undertone. " He must cultivate his great gifts." The tyro soon became known among his friends as the young Hortensius. His ex periences were varied, but not dissimilar to
those of the average lawyer in the incipient period. He opened an office, and was made by his Excellency the Governor a justice of the peace, — a title in Massachusetts which confers no' dignity and very limited authority. He took his commission home to show to his mother; and that amiable woman, in announcing her son's good for tune to a lady caller on the following day, observed, — "It is only a step now, you know, to the ermine." "Indeed I" said the visitor; "what rapid advancement! How sorry I am that my Johnnie did n't study law! It is not only a noble profession, but it confers splendid rewards. Lawyers always get rich." All the time, however, she was thinking of her recent ineffectual attempt to prevail upon her solicitor to take off ten dollars from the rather meagre bill rendered for drawing her will. Despite the encomiums of his mother and a few partial friends, young Heffinger did not grow rich. He used to suffer from fatigue, — not the fatigue springing from incessant application, but induced by watching, wait ing, musing, and hoping. Finally, clients came; but such clients! They wanted work done for nothing. There are some people who regard a lawyer as made for the purpose of being imposed upon, and there are a few lawyers who tamely submit to indignity and imposition. In after life Heffinger referred to this period as that in which he had more clients than business. Like many a prede-
