My rent at this time of my entrance into the fashionable world was £12
a year; my laundress, perhaps, a little less. She earned it by coming
up the stairs; but she was a good old soul. I remembered her long
years after, and always with gratitude for her many kindnesses in
those gloomy days. Her name was Hannem.

Of course, I had to buy the necessary books for my professional use,
coals, and other things, and after paying all these I had to live on
the narrow margin of my £100 a year.

This recollection is very pleasing. I never got into debt, and never
wanted; but I had to be frugal and avoid every unnecessary expense.

But the time at last came when I was no longer to rest on my lonely
perch at the top of Elm Court. I had kept my terms, and was duly
called to the Bar of the Middle Temple on May 3, 1843.

Just fifty years after, when I was a judge, and almost the Senior
Bencher of my Inn, our illustrious Sovereign, then Prince of Wales,
who is also a Bencher of the Middle Temple, favoured us with his
presence at dinner, and did me the honour to propose my health in a
gracious speech. On returning thanks for this kindness, I told the
crowded audience of my _jubilee_, and pointed out the spot where fifty
years before I had held my call party.




CHAPTER III.