JET. 32.] LORD ERSKINE. 505 



serviceable, I have thoughts of going for ten days to 

 York; but, except this, I shall be at my post cer- 

 tainly. 



" Murray sets off for London, I believe, in a day or 

 two. 



" There is nothing new here, at least I cannot tell 

 you anything of it, for writing even so much has made 

 me so giddy that I scarcely see the letters. Ever 

 very truly yours, F. JEFFREY/' 



FKOM LOED ERSKINE. 



" 2 UPPER GROSVENOR STREET, 

 April 14, 1810. 



" DEAR BROUGHAM, I dare not make any observa- 

 tions to a person of Mr Jeffrey's most excellent taste 

 and judgment. I have no doubt his candour will 

 lead him to compare them with the ordinary plead- 

 ings at the bar in former times, and he will see the 

 usefulness of maintaining the rank and character of a 

 profession so inseparably connected with the safety of 

 the Government and the liberties of the people. I 

 am sure that this result will be exemplified in your 

 future life ; you have given ample proof and earnest 

 already. 



" It must be remembered in what utter contempt 

 the press was fallen, and to what dangers it was ex- 

 posed, when I came to the bar in 1778 ; and I flatter 

 myself that the speeches collected by Kidgway in 

 their chronological order, will show its ascending pro- 

 gress, both in the preparation for the Libel bill and 



