Note 291 — Chapter XVI
Reading edition
The same charge is brought against Sir Fletcher Norton by Junius (Letter 39), who applies to him the lines of Ben Jonson, describing the lawyer who
Gives forked counsel; takes provoking gold On either hand, and puts it up; So wise, so grave, of so perplexed a tongue, And loud withal, that would not wag, nor scarce Lie still, without a fee.
Though Norton had the character at the bar of being the reverse of a liberal practitioner, it is very improbable that Walpole’s assertion, “that he took money from both parties” in a suit, should be literally correct. He had too many rivals as well as enemies in the profession, to admit of such conduct remaining unpunished; but it is not uncommon for a counsel to feel himself bound in honour to refuse a brief which he could not accept without using knowledge acquired while employed by parties who had a different interest, until he has given those parties the option of employing him again; and Norton’s eagerness for gain made him take a very narrow view of such questions.—E.