3 APRIL 1897, Page 15

CLUBBABLE MEN.

[To Tin EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In your article on "Clubbable Men" you mention the name of Mr. Abraham Hayward, the essayist. If the publishers of his series of essays would issue a complete edition of them in a cheap form, they would be conferring a great favour on many old admirers of his who are still living, and would offer an attraction to many intelligent readers of the younger generation. The reference to "Abraham's bosom" applied to him at the Athenmum only, and not on

our common circuit. The expression, as we knew it, was used of Mr. Abraham Moore, a very learned stuff-gownsman of our circuit, who, having drawn the pleadings in an action of ejectment brought by a noble plaintiff against a tenant in South Wales, was sent down special to conduct the case for the defendant, as the plaintiff had retained all the leaders on that circuit. He won the case against the talent arrayed on the other side. On his reappearing on our circuit, Henry Afereweather wrote the following lines :—

" Dives retains the Cardiff bar

And proudly counts their learned noses.

While Lazarus, discreeter far, On Abraham's bosom safe reposes."