
scheme, and not the monstrous maze the laity are apt to think it. Let them but
once clearly perceive that its grand principle is to make business for itself at
their expense, and surely they will cease to grumble.
    But, not perceiving this quite plainly - only seeing it by halves in a
confused way - the laity sometimes suffer in peace and pocket, with a bad grace,
and do grumble very much. Then this respectability of Mr. Vholes is brought into
powerful play against them. »Repeal this statute, my good sir?« says Mr. Kenge,
to a smarting client, »repeal it, my dear sir? Never, with my consent. Alter
this law, sir, and what will be the effect of your rash proceeding on a class of
practitioners very worthily represented, allow me to say to you, by the opposite
attorney in the case, Mr. Vholes? Sir, that class of practitioners would be
swept from the face of the earth. Now you cannot afford - I will say, the social
system cannot afford - to lose an order of men like Mr. Vholes. Diligent,
persevering, steady, acute in business. My dear sir, I understand your present
feelings against the existing state of things, which I grant to be a little hard
in your case; but I can never raise my voice for the demolition of a class of
men like Mr. Vholes.« The respectability of Mr. Vholes has even been cited with
crushing effect before Parliamentary committees, as in the following blue
minutes of a distinguished attorney's evidence. »Question (number five hundred
and seventeen thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine). If I understand you, these
forms of practice indisputably occasion delay? Answer. Yes, some delay.
Question. And great expense? Answer. Most assuredly they cannot be gone through
for nothing. Question. And unspeakable vexation? Answer. I am not prepared to
say that. They have never given me any vexation; quite the contrary. Question.
But you think that their abolition would damage a class of practitioners?
Answer. I have no doubt of it. Question. Can you instance any type of that
class? Answer. Yes. I would unhesitatingly mention Mr. Vholes. He would be
ruined. Question. Mr. Vholes is considered, in the profession, a respectable
man? Answer« - which proved fatal to the inquiry for ten years - »Mr. Vholes is
considered, in the profession, a most respectable man.«
    So in familiar conversation, private authorities no less disinterested will
remark that
