tea while weighing out her groceries, made it impossible for him
to do his best with a poor case. "Swett," he once exclaimed,
turning suddenly to his associate, "the man is guilty; you defend
him--I can't," and gave up his share of a large fee.

After his death some notes were found, written in his own hand,
that had evidently been intended for a little lecture or talk to
law students. They set forth forcibly, in a few words, his idea
of what a lawyer ought to be and to do. He earnestly commends
diligence in study, and, after diligence, promptness in keeping
up the work. "As a general rule, never take your whole fee in
advance," he says, "nor any more than a small retainer. When
fully paid beforehand you are more than a common mortal if you
can feel the same interest in the case as if something were still
in prospect for you as well as for your client." Speech-making
should be practised and cultivated. "It is the lawyer's avenue to
the public. However able and faithful he may be in other
respects, people are slow to bring him business if he cannot make
a speech. And yet, there is not a more fatal error to young
lawyers than relying too much on speech-making. If any one, upon
his rare powers of speaking, shall claim an exemption from the
drudgery of the law, his case is a failure in advance."
Discourage going to law. "Persuade your neighbors to compromise
whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is
often a real loser--in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a
peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good
man. There will still be business enough." "There is a vague
popular belief that lawyers are necessarily dishonest. Let no
young man choosing the law for a calling for a moment yield to
the popular belief. Resolve to be honest at all events; and if,