400 POLITICS OF THE DAY. [1808. 



been thought possible. Paull had only lost 300, 

 but he was quite ruined. Ever most faithfully yours, 



" H. BROUGHAM." 



TO EAEL GEEY. 



" MIDDLE TEMPLE HALL, May 31, 1808. 



" MY DEAR LORD GREY, I ought long ago to 

 have thanked you for your kind and friendly letter, 

 respecting both the speech on the Orders in Council 

 and my plans in general. I am extremely obliged to 

 you indeed for the interest you take in these matters, 

 so trifling to everybody but myself. Notwithstand- 

 ing this, however, I shall so far presume on your 

 patience as to mention what I feel upon the subject. 



" From accidental circumstances I find myself 

 placed in a situation which enables me to command 

 a considerable degree of success in the profession of 

 the law, and however odious that profession is (as God 

 knows there are few things so hateful), I am quite 

 clear that it would be utter folly in me to neglect so 

 certain a prospect. I have, of course, been continu- 

 ing my study of law, and pleading as diligently as 

 possible indeed, it naturally becomes easier and less 

 disagreeable every day, and in a year or so more, I 

 doubt not, I shall know more about it than is re- 

 quisite. But I have resolved, in the mean time, to 

 risk an experiment, which, I fancy, you will think 

 not very prudent, and which, I own, is not quite 

 safe. By means of a special motion at Lincoln's Inn, 

 I may manage to be called to the bar early in July, 



