t as the Master of a High Court and subsequently in the modest but I trust useful office of the Chairman of a Bench of Magistrates； I have done nothing at all at my profession at the Bar。 In an unfortunate hour； considered from this point of view； I employed my somewhat ample leisure in chambers in writing “King Solomon’s Mines。” That； metaphorically； settled my legal hash。 Had it not been for “King Solomon’s Mines；” if even in imagination I may dwell upon such splendour； I might possibly have sat some day where sits my old friend and instructor； Sir Henry Bargrave Deane； as a judge of the Court of Probate and Divorce； in which I proposed to practise like my great…uncle； Doctor John Haggard； famous for his Reports； before me。
Well do I remember how； when one day I was seated in this Division watching a case or devilling for somebody； I unconsciously inscribed my name on the nice white blotting…paper before me。 Presently from behind me I heard a whisper from some solicitor — I think that was his calling — whom business had brought to the Court：
“Are you Rider Haggard； the man who wrote ‘King Solomon’s Mines’？” he said； staring at the tell…tale blotting…paper。
I intimated that such was really my name。
“Then； confound you！ Sir； you kept me up till three o’clock this morning。 But what are you doing here in a wig and gown — what are you doing here？”
Very soon I found cause to echo the question and to answer it in the words； “No good。” The British solicitor； and indeed the British client； cannot be induced to put confidence in anyone who has bee well known as an author。 If he has confined his attention to the writing of law…books； he may be tolerated； though hardly； but if his efforts have been on the imaginative side of literature； then