The Sun.
London, England, 1831-04-20 00:00:00

LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY)

COURT OF CHANCERY.
EXTRAORDINARY OCCURRENCE.
While Mr. Knight was arguing in an appeal of the Attorney-
General v. the Corporation of Newbury, in which the question
was a question of account,
The LORD CHANCELLOR enquired whether the Ledrned
Counsel meant him to infer, from the strain of his argument,
that if a set of men were trustees for two distinct charities, they
would, with impunity, apply the funds of the one to the purposes
of the other ?-31r. Knight said that while the law of the
Court remained as it was, that certainly was the case. In pro-
ceeding with his argument he referred to a report of the " At-
torney General v. the Mayor and Corporation of Exeter," in
support of a proposition raised by him, which occasioned the
following extraordinary scene,
The LORD CHANCELLOR—What is the name of the case,
Mr. Knight ? Mr. Knight—lt is " The Attorney-General
against the Mayor and Corporation of Exeter."
The LORD CHANCELLOR—Where is it ? Mr. Knight—
I will let your Lordship know. My Lord, in one of those nu-
merous cases of the Attorney-General against the Mayor and
Corporation of Exeter—
The LORD CHANCELLOR—No ; but it would be conve-
nient if you would just answer the question. I ask, what is the
name of the book ? Mr. Knight—And I say I will state it.
The LORD CHANCELLOR—WeII, where is it.—(Taking
up the book.) Mr. Knight—l have it before me.
The LOltb CHANCELLOR—Then why don't you state it ?
Mr. Knight—l mean to do so.
The LORD CHANCELLOR—WeII, where is it? It is not
a sealed book. Mr. Knight—No, certainly not, for I have it
now open before me.
The LORD CHANCELLOR—Sure it is not one of the
Druid's books P Mr. Knight (smiling in a sarcastic manner)—
It certainly is not.
The LORD CHANCELLOR—Then what is it? Is there
any thing indecent in the name ? Mr. Knight—No, not at all.
The LORD CHANCELLOR—Or is there any thing here
that prevents the Judge of this Court asking such a question as,
is asked every day and every hour in every other Court ? Mr.
Knight—No, Ido not say there is (still standing, and holding
the book open in his hand).
The LORI) CHANCELLOR—Then what is it?—(Warmly
and authoritatively.)—l beg to know the name of the book ?
Sir E. SUDDEN—(In a low tone directed to Mr. Knight)—No,
no, state it Mr. Knight,—statethe name.
Mr. KNIGHT--My Lord, I was going to state it.
The LORI) CHANCELLOR—Then do state it ?
Sir E. SUGDEN--(Again across to Mr. Knight)—Give the
name, give the name.
Mr. KNIGHT—Why really my Lord, when lam stating a case.
The LORD CH A NCELLOR---(lnterrupting, rising up
abruistly and apparently highly displeased)—Really I don't un-
derstand this. I shall leave the Court until you have learnt to
answer a question. Mr. Knight---(As his Lordship was walking
from his chair to the door—l am going to state it, my Lord.
The LORD CHANCELLOR---I shall leave the Court and
come back, Sir.

His LORDSHIP then at once disappeared, and was instantly
followed by the Noble Lord who had been accompanying him on
the bench. Very soon afterwards the benches appropriated to
Counsel were much filled, conversing and expressing their dif-
ferent opinions upon what had so unexpectedly and so astound-
ingly taken place before many of them.—His Lordship left the
Court at twenty-five minutes past eleven.
His LORDSHIP returned into Court at a quarter before two,
and, on taking his seat, said—Now, Mr. Knight, will you tell
me the name of the book. Mr. Knight—yes, my Lord.
The LORD CHAI'iCELLOII--If it's not a secret. I don't
wish to ask you to tell me any secrets of your clients. Mr.
Knight---The case, my Lori, is—
The LORD CHANCELLOR—Stop a moment, Sir Charles
Wetherell wishes to make a Motion
Mr. KNIGHT bowed and left the Court.