Lord Kenyon, he
could be consistently indulgent; but to those who provoked him by an
independent and fearless manner he was little short of a persecutor.
Once when Scott was about to follow his leader, who had made an
unusually able speech, the Chancellor addressed him: "Mr. Scott, I am
glad to find you are engaged in the cause, for I now stand some chance
of knowing something about the matter." This same leader of the Bar on
one occasion, in the excitement of professional altercation, made use of
an undignified expression before Lord Thurlow; but before his lordship
could take notice of it the counsel immediately apologised, saying, "My
lord, I beg your lordship's pardon. I really forgot for the moment where
I was." A silent recognition of the apology would have made the counsel
feel his position more keenly, but the Chancellor could not let such an
opportunity pass and immediately flashed out: "You thought you were in
your own Court, I presume," alluding to a Welsh judgeship held by the
offending counsel.

As a contrast to Lord Thurlow's treatment of Scott's leader, the
following story--given in Scott's own words--shows how the great
Chancellor could unbend himself in the company of men who were in his
favour. "After dinner, one day when nobody was present but Lord Kenyon
and myself, Lord Thurlow said, 'Taffy, I decided a cause this morning,
and I saw from Scott's face that he doubted whether I was right.'
Thurlow then stated his view of the case, and Kenyon instantly said,
'Your decision was quite right.' 'What say you to that?' asked the
Chancellor. I said, 'I did not presume to form a case on which they were
both agreed. But I think a fact has not been mentioned, which may be
material.' I was about to state the fact, and my reasons. Kenyon,
however, broke in upon me, and with some warmth stated that I was always
so obstinate there was no dealing with me. 'Nay,' interposed Thurlow,
'that's not fair. You, Taffy, are obstinate, and give no reasons. You,
Jack, are obstinate too; but then you give your reasons, and d--d bad
ones they are!'"

Another anecdote again illustrates the Chancellor's treatment of even
those who were on a friendly footing with him. Sir Thomas Davenport, a
great Nisi Prius leader, had long flattered himself with the hope of
succeeding to some valuable appointment in the law; but several good
things passing by, he lost his patience and temper along with them. At
last he addressed this laconic a