among the Romans, a citizen who put himself under the protection of some great man, who in respect of that relation was called patron.

This patron affixed his client with his protection, interest, and goods; and the client gave his vote for his patron, when he sought any office for himself or his friends. Clients owed respect to their patrons, as they owed them their protection.

The right of patronage was appointed by Romulus, to unite the rich and poor together, in such a manner as that one might live without contempt, and the other without envy; but the condition of a client, in course of time, became little else but a moderate slavery.

Client is now used for a party in a law-suit, who has turned over his cause into the hands of a counsellor or solicitor.