Soon after he had become familiar with the duties of his office, Iredell commenced the study of law under Samuel Johnston. Alter nating his devotions between his law books and his lady-love, and equally diligent in his application to both, in two years after his arrival, and while in his nineteenth year, on the 1 4th of December, 1770, he received a license from Governor Tryon, with the appro bation and recommendation of Chief Justice Howard — that " eminent vagrant," as Jones styles him — to practice law in the' inferior courts of the State. On the 26th of November, 1771, he ob tained a license from Governor Martin to practice in the Superior Courts, and became a full-fledged lawyer. McRee tells us that when he first appeared at the bar " he had a difficulty to encounter which but few expe rience and fewer surmount as he did. He had a natural impediment in his speech which would have abashed and discouraged weaker minds, if possessed of but half of his delicate sensibility." But even this impediment was conquered by the stout courage of his heart, and he soon stood among his seniors as their equal. In 1771, the restless tide of discontent, stimulated by the arbitrary measures of the Crown, and swelling with the news of the Boston massacre, was steadily rolling and spreading as it went 'through the Colonies, and nowhere with more resistless force than in North Carolina. Iredell, though yet scarce aware of it him self, was already in the current and drifting toward the day when he was to stand boldly forth for the cause of liberty. In 1773, the dispute in this State over the Court Acts, which had been rife for some time, culminated. The Assembly in sisted upon the right of attachment against foreign non-residents, and the Crown was equally -insistent against granting it. The terms of the judges and the life of the courts had expired by limitation. The Assembly passed new laws for the creation and organi

zation of the courts and tacked the attach ment law to it. The Governor refused his assent and dissolved the Assembly, leaving the Province without courts and without laws. For some time there were only five provincial laws in force, and the only courts were those held by single justices of the peace. In fact, the courts and the supreme majesty of the law were not fully re-estab lished in North Carolina until November, 1 777. Crime went unpunished, wrongs were unredressed, and person and property alike were without the security and protection of law. This condition of affairs was but the forerunner of the coming storm whose mutterings were already growing nearer and clearer, presaging " the lean famine, quarter ing steel and climbing fire " that were so soon to desolate the land. On the 18th of July, 1773, Iredell married Hannah Johnston. Their union was a most happy one in every respect. She was a lov ing wife, a prudent and faithful administrator of the domestic economics of their household, and a wise and able friend and counsellor to whom he ever brought the full story of his joys and triumphs, his sorrows and reverses. The charming letters which passed between them are the highest evidence of their loving devotion to each other, their mutual trust, confidence and respect. In 1774, the Revolution was well on in nett, NorthHooper Carolina. and others Harvey,were Johnston, in active Harcor respondence and zealously engaged in pre paring and shaping public sentiment to meet with ready courage the approaching crisis. Iredell was an active but silent participator and adviser in all their councils. Although scarce twenty-three years of age he was al ready in full maturity of mind, of judgment, and of action. Springing at a bound from youth into the full panoply of manhood, he stood and moved among the foremost men of his time as their peer, and his advice and opinions, on all questions of public moment, were eagerly sought and deferred to by them.