Leaves from an English Solicitor's Note-Book. subject only to a life interest in it which Mrs. Elliott reserved to herself; and, in the same way, when the younger niece married, she had made a secret deed of gift of stock in the funds and other securities, reserving a life interest to herself. But, a few weeks before her death, something prompted her to dis trust Mr. Maule, and she took the precaution of writing to her younger niece to tell her of the existence of the settlement and deed of gift, which were still to be kept secret as long as the aunt lived. The object of the will which I had drawn was to leave the residue of her property, which was only of trifling value, to Mrs. Emma Simpson, in order to equalize her fortune with that of the elder niece. And here my story ends. Will my readers forgive the somewhat garrulous old fogey who has written this and the preceding mementoes of his professional life, if he con cludes with the following advice, tendered for the guidance of the younger members of
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the profession. He who expects candor, courtesy and straightforward dealing from his brethren in the profession, must practice the same virtues with them. Courtesy is al ways exercisable under any circumstances; candor and complete openness, not always; but where these are impossible, or at least unadvisable, they should not be affected; it is always possible to say "this is a matter of business in which I must reserve my own opinion, and act as I may be advised in the best interest of my client; I cannot meet you an inch of the way, and we must meet as an tagonists at every point." This is honest and straightforward, and will earn the respect of your opponent, if he be a man of right mind. But the solicitor who at first fawns on a pro fessional brother, and invites candor and confidence from him, and then turns round and betrays confidence, is properly ranked as an "outsider," unworthy of being recognized as a member of an honorable profession.
