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“Then you are no longer a free agent.”

“Why not?”

“Because, in that kind of compulsion, you cease to act from freedom.”

“Is it right, James, for us to compel ourselves to do right when we are inclined to do wrong? Certainly there is more freedom in being able to resist evil, than in being bound by it hand and foot, so as to be its passive slave.”

“You are a strange reasoner, Harvey.”

“If my conclusions are not rational, controvert them.”

“And have to talk for ever?”

“No doubt you would, James, to drive me from positions that are to me as true as that the sun shines in heaven.”

“Exactly; and therefore it is useless to argue with you. But, to drop that point of the subject, to what profession do you most incline?”

“To law.”

“Then why not choose it?”

“Perhaps I shall. But I wish first to define with myself my own position. I must understand truly upon what ground I stand, or I will not move forward one inch.”

“Well, you must define your own position for yourself, for I don’t see that I can help you much.” And there the subject was dropped.

It was some time before the debate in Harvey’s mind was decided. His predilections were all in favour of the law–but in thinking of it, ambition and purely selfish views would arise in his mind, and cause him to hesitate, for he did not wish to act from them. At last he decided to become a law student, with the acknowledgment to himself that he had low and selfish motives in his mind, but with the determination to oppose them and put them away whenever they should arise into activity. Under this settled principle of action, he entered upon the study of the profession he had chosen.

Thus, with two opposite leading motives did the young men commence life. Let us see the result of these motives upon their characters and success after the lapse of ten years. Let us see which is farthest on the road to true greatness. Both, in an ardent and untiring devotion to the duties of their profession, had already risen to a degree of eminence, as lawyers, rarely attained under double the number of years of patient toil. But there was a difference in the estimation in which both were held by those who could discriminate. And this was apparent in the character of the cases referred to them. A doubtful case, involving serious considerations, was almost certain to be placed in the hands of Abercrombie, for his acuteness and tact, and determination to succeed at all hazards, if possible, made him a very desirable advocate under these circumstances. Indeed, he often said that he would rather have a bad cause to plead than a good one, for there was some “honour” in success where every thing was against the case. On the contrary, in the community where Harvey had settled, but few thought of submitting to him a case that had not equity upon its side; and in such a case, he was never known to fail. He did not seek to bewilder the minds of a jury or of the court by sophistry, or to confuse a witness by paltry tricks; but his course was straightforward and manly, evolving the truth at every step with a clearness that made it apparent to all.

“It’s all your fault,” said an unsuccessful client to him one day in an angry tone.

“No, sir, it was the fault of your cause. It was a bad one.”

“But I should have gained it, if you had mystified that stupid witness, as you could easily enough have done.”

“Perhaps I might; but I did not choose to do that.”

“It was your duty, sir, as an advocate, to use every possible means to gain the cause of your client.”

“Not dishonest means, remember. Bring me a good cause, and I will do you justice. But when you place me in a position where success can only be had in the violation of another’s rights, I will always regard justice first. Right and honour have the first claims upon me–my client the next.”