Solicitors wear no distinctive dress (except a gown when in the county court, as will be explained hereafter) but attire themselves in the conventional frock or morning coat and silk hat which is indispensable for all London business men. They all, however, carry long and shallow leather bags, the shape of folded briefs, which are usually made of polished patent leather. CHAPTER VI BUSINESS AND FEES INFLUENTIAL FRIENDS OF BARRISTER--JUNIOR'S AND LEADER'S BRIEF FEES--FEES OF COMMON LAW AND CHANCERY BARRISTERS--BARRISTER PARTNERSHIPS NOT ALLOWED--ENGLISH LITIGATION LESS IMPORTANT THAN AMERICAN--CLERKS OF BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS HAGGLE OVER FEES--SOLICITORS' FEES. An American lawyer will be curious concerning two things, about which he will get little reliable information, viz., how legal business comes and what are its rewards. The barrister supplements his reading, sometimes by practical service for a short time in a solicitor's office and nearly always by the deviling before described, and thus, in theory--and according to the traditions of the Bar--may pass years awaiting recognition. Finally, briefs begin to arrive which are received by his clerk with the accompanying fee, in gold, as to which the barrister is presumed to be quite oblivious. This, however, is not always the experience of the modern barrister, who may have some relative occupying the position of chairman of a railway, or of a large City company, the solicitors of which will be apt to think of this particular man when retaining counsel. In such fashion and other ways, while he can not receive business directly from an influential friend or relative, but only through the medium of a solicitor, yet such connections are often definitely felt in giving the young barrister a start. His eventual success, however, as in every other career, depends upon how well he avails himself of his opportunities. When briefed as a junior, without a leader, in a small action, his fee may be "3 & 1," meaning three guineas for the trial and one guinea for the "conference" with the solicitor. When briefed with a leader, however, his fee, which is always endorsed on the brief, may read: "Mr. J. Jones 35 guineas 1 guinea 36 guineas "With you SIR J. BLACK, K. C." The leader's brief will be endorsed: "Sir J. Black, K. C. 50 guineas 2 guineas 52 guineas "With you MR. J. JONES." The fee is not always sent by the solicitor with the brief, but a running account, with settlements at intervals, is not uncommon. Contingent fees are absolutely prohibited, the barrister gets his compensation, or is credited with it, irrespective of the result.