The Sun.
London, England, 1844-11-01 00:00:00

LEGAL PROFESSION.

Wednesday a general and public meeting of the
Association for the Protection and Justification of the
Profession, convened by public advertisement, was
held at the Gray's Inn Cofree-house, for the purpose
of electing a president, vice-presidents, council of in-
quiry and direction, auditors, and secretary, for the
year ensuing, and for confirming the rules prepared
by the provisional Cotnmitte for the government of
the Association. There were about fifty members of
the profession present.
Sir G. STEPIIENS, having been voted to the chair,
stated that the main object of the Society was to unite
and combine together with a view to their own
honour and advantage. Possessed, perhaps, of more
I influence than any other profession, they had hitherto
l neglected to use that influence for their own protec-
tion. Attorneys and solicitors were engaged as it
were in a personal conflict with all mankind, and that
conflict was too frequently characterised by personal
hostility amongst those by whom it was necessarily
conducted. Public feeling was often against them,
and their proceedings were exposed to be Carped at,
their fair profits pecked at, and their means of exist-
ence even cut down and taken from them by parties
whose only object was to gain popularity at their ex-
pense.—(Cheers.) It was important, therefore, that
' the profession should combine together to resist such
attempts, and to endeavour to turn the tide of that
i prejudice which had too often run riot at their
expense.—(Hear, hear.) . With the objects of the
' Association all must concur ; they were as follows :
" To promote and support the general interests of the
profession. To prosecute (if necessary) all unqualified
persons who may usurp either the duties or privileges
of the profession. To originate. and assist in obtain-
ing all useful and practical reforms and amendments
of the law. To expose, and, if possible, punish all
persons guilty of any acts of malpractice, whether
they be members of the bar, attorneys, or solicitors.
To maintain the respectability of the profession bv
an honourable and liberal mode of practice. To
adopt measures for obtaining a co-operation with all
law societies (provincial or local) having similar
objects in view.' It was important that they should
expose and reform malpractices, whether in their
own branch of the profession or the bar, but they
should reform and purge themselves before they at-
tempted to correct the errors of a higher department.
—(Hear, hear.) It was important also that the cha-
racter, the honour, the respectability of the professioa
should be upheld by a liberal mode of practice, and
sharp practice (which he believed was generally the
act of clerks and not of the- principals, but .which it.
must rest with the principals to prevent) should be
altogether abolished, and the profession made what it
should be, " a liberal profession" in the strict sense of
the word.—(Cheers.)
Mr. D. WIRE then moved a series of rules and re-
gulations fur the government of the Association.. He
disclaimed on the part of this Association anything
like rivalry with the Law Institution in Chancery-
lane. Some gentlemen who had been favourable'to
the Association in the first instance, had seceded from
it because they thought it would clash with the linve
Association ; but there was room for both, and by
co-operation each might assist the other. Ile would
say one word as to the legislative reforms in the prac-
tice of the law. The profession was anxious for all
real reforms, not alterations merely, but improve-
ments in the practice of the law. They wished law
to be made, as Lord Coke said it should
be made—the perfection of reason ; but they
objected, and the public did not require, • that The
profession should be so cut down as that it should be
practised by a class of persons little shove the small
shopkeeper.—(Hear, hear.) They objected to legis-
lation upon legal matters by men who knew nothing
of the law.

The rules baying been put and seconded were, after
various alterations had been suggested, many of which
were introduced, carried.
Mr. D. WIRE then proposed that Sir G. Stephens
be appointed President of the Association, which was
agreed to Item. con.
J. Burchall, Esq., of Red Lion-square ; T. Paype,
Esq., of Dover; and D. W. Wire, Esq., were then
proposed as Vice-Presidents, and were appointed
accordingly.

The auditors and council for the ensuing year
were also appointed, the number of the latter to con-
sist of 24, with power to add 10 to their number:
Mr. E. CLARK, of Bedford-row, was appointed
Secretary, and, in returning thanks, he stated that,
amongst the legislative reforms proposed by the As-
sociation, was one to render invalid all deeds requiring
a stamp, if not executed and attested by a professional
man.

Thanks having been voted to the Chairman, tnd
duly acknowledged, the meeting separated.

THE DOUBLE SUICIDE NEAR
KILMARNOCK.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
The two persons, whose bodies were found in the
Irvine, stayed at the Wheat Sheaf, Irvine, for eight
days, during which time they enjoyed themselves by
visiting the various interesting places about the country.
By their inquiries they seemed to have a high regard
for antiquities, going one day to Dundonald, another to
Kilwinning. They also went to the Tournament. ;round.
which place they said they had come all the way from
England to see. They were at Irvine parish church;
and, as strangers, attracted some' notice ;'• the lady
seemed rather old-fashioned and bare in her dress. On
their arrival at the Wheat Sheaf they bargained about
their bed and board, which they paid at various inter-
vals ; and, on leaving, presented one of the daughters
with a handsome bead purse, containing half-a-crown, as
a keepsake. They left Irvine on Thursday, the 3d inst.,
with the intention, as they said, of taking the Fleetwood
boat, but they no doubt must have changed their route
and gone to Kilmarnock. They seemed attentive and
affectionate to each other, took up with no person, but
walked out and in by themielves ; the gentleman some-
times visiting the coffee-room, while the lady employed,
herself in knitting and sewing.—Greenock Advertiser.
The real names of the suicides are yet unascertained,
nor is it certain that the. address evidently designedly
placed in the male's hat, will afford the right clue. The
mark " B " on the seals and on the shirt of the male
would, of itself, tend to throw great doubt on the naive
being Atkinson, as ha apparently wished to he believed.
An examination, however, of the articles left in the inn
shows not only no trace of the name of Atkinson, but
traces of another name, and positive proof of the efforts
of the devoted pair to conceal their identity. The
portmanteaus were found filled with articles of female
apparel, and only the under clothes of the male, all of
which that are marked at all bear the mark " B," as on
the linen on his person.—Kilmarnock Herald.
Up to this time no person has come forward to give
information regarding the two individuals. it is gene-
rally believed that they attended the Burns Festival,
and that they have been sojourning in Ayrshire ever
since. They put up a short time at Mrs. Smith's,
Mauchline ; and afterwards at the Black Bull, Ayr,
where Mrs. Smith met them. Subsequently, they were
at Troon, Irvine, and Ardrossan, at each of which
places they stopped about two weeks. Before leaving
the house of Mrs. Holmes, Irvine, the lady presented
Miss Holmes with a handsome wrought purse ; and she
gave Mrs. Orr, of Ardrossan, an elegant white veil
Miss Holmes and Mrs. Orr have seen the deceased, 'lnd
at once recognised them us the persons who had, stayed
at their houses. It is thought . that b,y Wednesday
morning some communication will reach Kilmarnock' in
answer to letters which-were sent t 9 the police-offices'in
•
London.
[The unhappy individuals sojourned in this quarter
for about six weeks. TheY came here a short time be-
fore the Burns Festival, and took up their residence
in the Black Bull Inn. They lived together in the
most agreeable and happy manner ; and were, during
the time they stayed, more like members of Mr.,Dewar's
family than lodgers in his house. The male was i n
the
he
y haabtitteonfdeadd dthreessimngostthoef female
ealehuarschht"iDn etaorwMn.araic
visited all places of note in the neighbourhood.
No letters came to them during the whole time they
resided here ; and, on one occasion, the gentlenian
distinctly stated to Mr. Dewar that no letters would
come to them. They did not seem to be scarce
money ; and paid their bills every two days. Mrs.
Dewar heard their name mentioned only once, but
does not recollect what it was. She is certain; however,.
that' it commenced with a "It," which agrees with the
letter on the linen and seals belonging to the deceased:
The whole circumstances connected .with this melan-
choly event have been minutely investigated by the
sheriff and fiscal on' the spot, but nothing further has
been elicited ; and as yet no information regarding the
unhappy individuals has been obtained from London.
which appears to have been the place of their! residence.
Their trunks, after the contents were inspected and in-
ventoried, were sealed up by the sheriff, and will lie in
the sheriff-clerk's office here till claimed.] —Ayr Observer..

DAVIDGE'S ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
Immense Flit of Din ere3ar de Eagan.
THIS EVENING, NOVEMBER I,
Will he performed a New Drama, enti led DON C/ESAR DE
BAZAN, supported by the entire Company.
To be fo lowed by a New Military Drama, entitled THE EVE OF
BATTLE. Sup orted by the whole Company, with New Scenery
and Splendid Appointments.
To conclu• e with THE CROWN PRINCE.
Places and Private Boxes to be had of Mr. Kerect nee, at the Box
office, from Eleven to Four.