[38] Mr. Park, who some few years ago published a book of some merit, but which, it was said, he never wrote. This work, however, and his affectation of extraordinary piety seem to have been the cause of his elevation to a dignity, for which he was totally incompetent. His behaviour in court was occasionally that of an ideot. When on the circuit, the door of the town-hall must not creak, nor he be kept a moment from his dinner under any circumstances. His ill-temper exposed him to continual quarrels with the counsel, and whenever he found himself in the wrong, he talked of behaving towards one he might have offended with the patience of a Christian judge. [39] George Heald, a man of great abilities, and considerable wit, but so idle that he seldom reads his brief. If the statements of counsel may be supposed to have any weight on the mind of the judge, what must be the situation of Heald’s client;--of whom the adverse counsel may state what he pleases as alledged in the pleadings without the fear of contradiction; for how can the other know whether it be true or false? To be sure if Agar were his adversary, he might give a shrewd guess! [40] Sir Charles Weatherall!--late attorney general;--an office, to which it should seem he had long aspired. His defence of Watson, Thistlewood, &c. is well known; and the motive of his conduct in that affair is said to have been disappointed ambition. On the occasion of the late change in the ministry, it was asserted that a letter from the premier, appointing Sir Charles, Master of the Rolls, and from Sir Charles, tendering his resignation of the office of Attorney General, crossed each other on the road. [41] James Lewis Knight;--of whose sound judgment and sterling talents I am glad to have an opportunity of offering this small tribute of admiration. [42] Basil Montagu!--employed only in bankruptcy cases. He is particularly notorious in stickling for retainers; without which he pretends to think himself justified to support a petition to-day, and oppose it to-morrow. He is also an author; or, I should rather say, a compositor of books, which are sometimes bought, but not much read. I do not trouble myself about his genealogy. [43] The bankruptcy system in this country is most horrible. Let any one visit the commissioners court in Basinghall Street, and witness the scenes that are there transacted. The commissioners are paid 20_s._ for each meeting, and in order to make the most of their time, they have frequently ten different appointments at the same hour. The confusion may be easily conceived. [44] It was not until lately that the practice of conveyancing was converted into an independent branch of the legal profession, and clogged with all the niceties in which it is at present enveloped. Few titles can stand the test of the all-searching scrutiny with which they are now investigated. Conveyancers always furnish a very abundant supply of litigation to the Court of Chancery.