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day…labourers as well as gentlemen at large。 It is bred in the
bone。
Probably the second failure…breeding fault； lack of
perseverance； has its roots in the first； at any rate in my case。
At least on leaving college with some reputation； I was called to
the Bar where； owing to certain solicitor and other connections；
I had a good opening。 Also； owing to the excellence of my memory
and powers of work； I began very well； making money even during
my first year。 Then； as it happened； a certain case came my way
and； my leader falling ill suddenly after it was opened； was left
in my hands。 The man whose cause I was pleading was； I think； one
of the biggest scoundrels it is possible to conceive。 It was a
will case and if he won； the effect would be to beggar two most
estimable middle…aged women who were justly entitled to the
property； to which end personally I am convinced he had committed
forgery； the perjury that accompanied it I do not even mention。
Well； he did win； thanks to me； and the estimable middle…aged
ladies were beggared； and as I heard afterwards； driven to such
extremities that one of them died of her misery and the other
became a lodging…house keeper。 The details do not matter； but I
may explain that these ladies were unattractive in appearance and
manner and broke down beneath my cross…examination which made
them appear to be telling falsehoods； whereas they were only
completely confused。 Further； I invented an ingenious theory of
the facts which； although the judge regarded it with suspicion；
convinced an unusually stupid jury who gave me their verdict。
Everybody congratulated me and at the time I was triumphant；
especially as my leader had declared that our case was
impossible。 Afterwards； however； my conscience smote me sorely；
so much so that arguing from the false premise of this business；
I came to the conclusion that the practice of the Law was not
suited to an honest man。 I did not take the large view that such
matters average themselves up and that if I had done harm in this
instance； I might live to do good in many others； and perhaps
become a just judge； even a great judge。 Here I may mention that
in after years； when I grew rich； I rescued that surviving old
lady from her lodging…house； although to this day she does not
know the name of her anonymous friend。 So by degrees； without
saying anything； for I kept on my chambers； I slipped out of
practice； to the great disappointment of everybody connected with
me； and took to authorship。
A marvel came to pass； my first book was an enormous success。
The whole world talked of it。 A leading journal； delighted to
have discovered someone； wrote it up； other journals followed
suit to be in the movement。 One of them； I remember； which had
already dismissed it with three or four sneering lines； came out
with a second and two…column notice。 It sold like wildfire and I
suppose had some merits； for it is still read； though few know
that I wrote it； since fortunately it was published under a
pseudonym。
Again I was much elated and set to work to write another and；
as I believe； a much better book。 But jealousies had been excited
by this leaping into fame of a totally unknown person； which
were； moreover； accentuated through a foolish article that I
published in answer to some criticisms； wherein I spoke my mind
with an insane freedom and biting sarcasm。 Indeed I was even mad
enough to quote names and to give the example of the very
powerful journal which at first carped at my work and then gushed
over it when it became the fashion。 All of this made me many
bitter enemies； as I found out when my next book appeared。
It was torn to shreds； it was reviled as subversive of morality
and religion； good arrows in those days。 It was called puerile；
half…educated stuffI half…educated！ More； an utterly false
charge of plagiarism was cooked up against me and so well and
venomously run that vast numbers of people concluded that I was a
thief of the lowest order。 Lastly； my father； from whom the
secret could no longer be kept； sternly disapproved of both these
books which I admit were written from a very radical and somewhat
anti…church point of view。 The result was our first quarrel and
before it was made up； he died suddenly。
Now again fastidiousness and my lack of perseverance did their
work； and solemnly I swore that I would never write another book；
an oath which I have kept till this moment； at least so far as
publication is concerned； and now break only because I consider
it my duty so to do and am not animated by any pecuniary object。
Thus came to an end my second attempt at carving out a career。
By now I had grown savage and cynical； rather revengeful also； I
fear。 Knowing myself to possess considerable abilities in sundry
directions； I sat down； as it were； to think things over and
digest my past experiences。 Then it was that the truth of a very
ancient adage struck upon my mind； namely； that money is power。
Had I sufficient money I could laugh at unjust critics for
example； indeed they or their papers would scarcely dare to
criticise me for fear lest it should be in my power to do them a
bad turn。 Again I could follow my own ideas in life and perhaps
work good in the world； and live in such surroundings as
commended themselves to me。 It was as clear as daylight； buthow
to make the money？
I had some capital as the result of my father's death； about
？；000 in all； plus a little more that my two books had brought
in。 In what way could I employ it to the best advantage？ I
remembered that a cousin of my father and therefore my own； was a
successful stock…broker； also that there had been some affection
between them。 I went to him； he was a good； easy…natured man who
was frankly glad to see me； and offered to put ？；000 into his
business； for I was not minded to risk every thing I had； if he
would give me a share in the profits。 He laughed heartily at my
audacity。
〃Why； my boy；〃 he said； 〃being totally inexperienced at this
game； you might lose us more than that in a month。 But I like
your courage； I like your courage； and the truth is that I do
want help。 I will think it over and write to you。〃
He thought it over and in the end offered to try me for a year
at a fixed salary with a promise of some kind of a partnership if
I suited him。 Meanwhile my ？；000 remained in my pocket。
I accepted； not without reluctance since with the impatience of
youth I wanted everything at once。 I worked hard in that office
and soon mastered the business； for my knowledge of figuresI
had taken a first…class mathematical degree at collegecame to
my aid； as in a way did my acquaintance with Law and Literature。
Moreover I had a certain aptitude for what is called high
finance。 Further； Fortune； as usual； showed me a favourable face。
In one year I got the partnership with a small share in the
large profits of the business。 I