tly the
same thing, although the differences would not be recognizable to
persons who have not over-keen recollections.

The institution has perhaps known more great men than Parliament
itself--not so many bishops, perhaps, as the Church, but more
statesmen than could get into the House of Lords; and all the
biographies that have ever been written could not furnish more
illustrations of the ups and downs of life, especially the downs,
nor of more illustrious men. The names of all the great and mediocre
people who visited the famous rendezvous would fill a respectable
Court guide, and the money transactions that have taken place would
pay off the National Debt. All this is a pleasant outcome of the
national character.

Do not suppose that Judges, other than Baron Martin, never looked in,
for they did, and so did learned and illustrious Queen's Counsel and
Serjeants-at-Law, authors, editors, actors, statesmen, and, to sum
it up in brief, all the real men of the day of all professions and
degrees of social position.

At first my visits were infrequent; afterwards I went more often, and
then became a regular attendant. I loved the "old Ring," and yet could
never explain why. I think it was the variety of human character that
charmed me. I was doing very little at the Bar, and was, no doubt,
desirous to make as many acquaintances as possible, and to see as much
of the world as I could. It is a long way back in my career, but I go
over the course with no regrets and with every feeling of delight.
Everything seems to have been enjoyable in those far-off days,
although I was in a constant state of uncertainty with regard to my
career. There were three principal places of pleasure at that time:
one was Tattersall's, one Newmarket, and the Courts of Law a third.

There used to be, in the centre of the yard or court at Tattersall's,
a significant representation of an old fox, and I often wondered
whether it was set up as a warning, or merely by way of ornamentation,
or as the symbol of sport. It might have been to tell you to be wary
and on the alert. But whatever the original design of this statue to
Reynard, the old fox read me a solemn lesson, and seemed to be always
saying, "Take care, Harry; be on your guard. There are many prowlers
everywhere."

But there was another monitor in constant attendance, who
was deservedly respected by all who had the pleasure of his
acquaintance--that is to say, by all who visited Tattersa