^ET. 45.] POSITION WITH THE BAR. 461 



a brief. Now the Chancellor is in a scrape if he 

 persists in showing his spite; and I strongly urge you 

 to ask him privately in the House of Lords on Thurs- 

 day evening whether he really means to let us go to 

 York and Lancaster without any rank, except Scar- 

 lett. He must not now pretend that there are per- 

 sonal difficulties. If he does, I have the King's own 

 authority for denying it positively, and you may tell 

 him so. 



" Bay ley has so strong an opinion of it that he has 

 offered to call Williams and myself within the bar at 

 Lancaster ; but we are resolved to refuse it. I have 

 done quite enough in writing to the Chancellor. Pray, 

 if you can, learn his intention ; you have a full right as 

 a north-countryman. Yours ever, H. B." 



"YORK, March 25, 1823. 



" DEAR LORD GREY, In case you may wish to 

 know the result of the Chancellor's low trick to force 

 me out of the lead, relying on the NOW obsolete preju- 

 dice in favour of silk gowns, I have to tell you the 

 exact result of it. I have been in everything, and led 

 equal with Scarlett, or thereabouts a little under or 

 over. Williams (especially high in Eldon's hatred, as in 

 his own merits) comes clearly and plainly next, though 

 certainly at some distance. Cross has again failed 

 completely, and in a decisive manner. Littledale (the 

 greatest shame of the whole) on the shelf. One 

 Hardy (a Tory, favourite of Eldon and protege of 

 Bragge), who had good business, has not a brief. 

 Others above me affected in proportion. Tindal not 

 much affected either way. Parke (Tory) by no means 

 benefited; but Alderson (Whig, and great friend of 



