than his tormentor's knees; and "knew him by his shoe-buckles better than any other part of his dress." It cannot be doubted that the peace of his whole life thenceforward was disturbed by the consequences of this almost-demoniacal possession—not of his person indeed, but of his phantasy and his fears. Being destined for the bar, his relatives took the most prudent means to qualify him for his profession; but he lacked by nature what no discipline could supply, and no learning compensate—the face to show his face, and the tongue to speak in his own hearing before a large assembly. At the age of three and thirty years, having made no progress towards eminence as a practising lawyer, and all prospect of success by his personal exertions having vanished, he was successively nominated to two parliamentary offices, of which the duties were easy and the emoluments considerable. The mere terror, however, which seized him at the idea of a public appearance before the House of Lords to qualify for his appointment threw the reluctant candidate (whom Fortune seemed to pursue with her favours, but could never overtake,) into paroxysms of despair. In the delirium that ensued, he repeatedly attempted self-destruction, and failed—not for want of the resolution which on better occasions had failed him—but because a hand of mercy, unseen though ever present, turned aside his purposes, and (as it seemed to himself) with immediate intervention, preserved a life the extraordinary issues of which were yet as unsuspected as they were undeveloped.
At the time above stated, he was placed under the superintendence of a wise and good physician, who knew not only how to treat a morbid frame and shattered nerves, with tenderness and skill, but to administer the healing balm of gospel comfort to a wounded spirit—to
