BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 269
now directed his attention to the Roman law ; and, after a short time spent in
preparatory study, commenced giving lectures on the subject. He subsequently
gave lectures on Scots law.
In 1781, having qualified himself in the usual manner, he applied to be
admitted a member of the Faculty of Advocates. The following information as
to the opposition offered by the Faculty to his entry, is recorded in the minutes
of the 8th December 1781 :-
'' The vice-dean (John Swinton, afterwards Lord Swinton) informed the
Faculty that Mr. John Wright, who for many years had exercised the profession
of a private teacher of the civil and municipal law and mathematics, had called
upon him, and acquainted him that he had presented a petition to the Court of
Session, praying a remit to the Dean and Faculty of Advocates to take him on
his trial. Upon this Mr. Swinton observed that he wished this step postponeda
proposition which was assented to by Mr. Wright-till he had had an opportunity
of mentioning the intention to the Faculty. He added-' that, so far as
ever he could learn, Mr. Wright bore a fair and irreproachable character, and he
did not mean the slightest reflection against him j but that the circumstances
which appearedipeculiar in his case were, that, at his advanced time of life, it
might be presumed he did not mean to take himself entirely to the profession
and practice of the law, but only wished to add the character of advocate to his
present employment.'
" The Hon. Henry Erskine acquainted the Faculty that Mr. Wright had conversed
with him upon this subject, and had authorised him to assure the Faculty
that, in case of his being admitted advocate, he truly intended to follow the profession
of the bar, and to lay aside private teaching of rnathematies, or any other
science, except law ; and even to confine that teaching to private lectures to
such as chose to attend them in his own house."
A considerable difference of opinion appears to have been entertained, but
the good sense of the majority ultimately settled that the Faculty should not
interfere; and Mr. Wright was admitted an advocate upon the 25th January
1783.
It has been said that the real cause of the opposition of Mr. Swinton and
his party originated in their objections to Mr. Wright's humble birth ; and that
the Hon. Henry Erskine bantered them so much, that they at last gave way.
After listening to the observations of the opposition-" Well, well," said Mr.
Erskine, U they say I am the son of the Earl of Bwhan-and you (pointing
to -) are the sm of the Laird of --" , and thus going over the
whole opposition in a strain of inimitable and biting sarcasm, he wound up the
enumeration in his usual forcible manner-" Therefore, no thanks to us for being
here ; because the learning we have got has been hammered into our brains !-
whereas all Mr. Wright's has been acquired by himself; therefore he has more
merit than us all. However, if any of you can put a question to Mr. Wright
that he cannot answer, I will hold that to be a good objection. But, otherwise,
Both sets of lectures were well attended.
The Swintona of Swinton are a Berwickahire family of great antiquity.
