Tatlow went into the box and with a candour that did
him great credit at once admitted that they (the clauses) were the most
stringent that he knew of." This from opposing counsel was a compliment
indeed, and I was much complimented upon it. Mr. Pope greatly admired
candour, and indeed I found myself that candour always told with the
Committees. Littler loved Pope, and so did all the Parliamentary Bar, of
which he was the acknowledged leader and the respected father. Littler
said to me, "He is a wonderfully and variously gifted man, and had he
chosen the stage as a profession would have been a David Garrick." I
said, "What about his very substantial person?" for he was colossal in
figure. "I had forgotten that," said Littler. Littler told me a good
story of him which Pope, he said, was also fond of telling himself.
It was in the great man's biggest and busiest days. Influenza was rife.
Mr. Pope was a bachelor, and his valet inconsiderately took the "flu."
Mr. Pope's nephew said the valet must go away till he fully recovered, or
Mr. Pope would be sure to take it. "What shall I do?" said Mr.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293