In 1807 he was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, made some progress in his profession, and attracted the notice of Lord-Chancellor Eldon.

[1] In 1810 he began to show signs of tuberculosis, and for the sake of his health spent the two following years in southern Europe.

[1] Bowdler engaged in literary pursuits during his illness, and in 1816 his father published his Select Pieces in Prose and Verse (2 vols.)

This book contained a memoir and the journal kept by Bowdler during his tour of 1810 - 1812, as well as an exposition of Dugald Stewart's philosophical theories and religious essays and poems.

Selections from its religious portions appeared in 1821 and 1823, and in 1857 the author's brother Charles reissued a part of it under the title of The Religion of the Heart, as exemplified in the Life and Writings of John Bowdler.