Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-05-06
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SKETCHES OF THE IRISH BAR.

SKETCHES OF THE IRISH BAR.
We trust that the annexed description of Coun-
sellor Mac Mahon, a member ofthe Irish Bar, will
be read with interest by our readers;-and, if the
picture be too vivid, and represent the gentlemen
of the green bag somewha unpleasantly, it certain.
ly does not go any further, than to prove, what
no man ever doubted, that there are some black
spots to be found on the surface O fevery profession.
The picture takes a wide range, and affords the
beholder a squint at Messrs. LEROY, Blackburne,
Champion, saurin, and Lord Manners, beside
some other gentlemen Of the Bar, who may have
in one way or another, distinguished themselves.
Counsellor Mac Mahon, though he may not
be admired for the richness or cleanliness of his
wardrobe, will claim some attention by reason of
the eccentricity Of his character; aud lest he should
be despised for his appearance, let it be remember
ed that there was u time when the great, and ever
10 be lamented CuRRAN, appeared at the Dublin
Bur, in rags, and with nothing but his talents to
protect him from the jeers and jibes of the aristo-
cratic and leaden headed part OF the fraternity.
Calamihes Of The Bar.
COUNCILLOR MAC'MAHoN. Not very long af-
ter | had been called TO the Bar, | one day CHANGED
to observe u person standing beside Il pillar in the
Hall of the Four courts, the peculiar wretchedness
OF whose aspect attracted my notice. was on
my way to the subterIauean chamber where the
wigs and gowns Of the lawyers are kept, and was
revolving at the moment the dignity and importance
OF the station 10 which | had been raised Dymy
enrolment among the members of the Irish Bar.
| was interrupted in this interesting meditation by
The miserable object Oh which my eyes had happen
ed to rest; and without being a d~llettante In atfllc-
iion, could not help pausinS to consider the re-
inarkable specimen OF wretchedness that stood be-
fore me. Had the unfortunate man been utterly
naked his condition would not have appeared SO
pitlable. HIS raiment served to set his destitu-
ton oil. A coat which had once been black, but
which appeared 10 have been stepped in a COM
pound OF all rusty hucs, hung in rags about him.
II was closely pinned at his throat to conceal the
absence oil a neckcloth. He was without a vest.
A shirt of tattered yellow, which from a time be
yond memory had adhered to. his withered body,
appeared through numerous apcrtures in his up
per garment, and Jutted round that portion Of his
person where a garb without u name Is usually at
tached. The latter part OF his attire, which was
conspicuous for Il %prismatic diversity Of color, was
fastened with a piece OF wine to the extreme but
Ion Of his upper habliment, and very incompletely
supplied The purpose for which the progenitors
OF mankind, after their first imitation into know
ledge, employed d vegetable veil. Through the
interior regions of this imperfect integument, their
depended a shred or two Of that inner garment.
which had long been sacred to nastiness, and which
the fingers Of the laundress never had profaned.-
Iii. stockings were compounded Of ragged worsted
and accumulated mire. They covered a pair of
heshless bones, but did not extend to the feet, the
soualld nakcdness vi which was visible through
the shoes that hug soaked with wet about them.
lie was dripping with rain, and shiv erinS with
cold. His figure was shrunken and diminutive.
A few grey locks were wildly scattered upon IA
small and irresuleriy shaped head. Despair and
famine sat upon his face, which was Of the strong
Celtic mould, with ls features thrown III disorder,
ahd destitute Of all symmetry or proportion, but
deriving from the passions, ny which they were dis
torted, an expression OF terocious nag gardness.-
HIS beard was like that which grows upon the
dead. The flesh was OF IL cadavcrous complexion.
His grey eyes, although laden with rleum, caught
a sayageness from the eyelids which were Lordered
with a Jagged rim of diseased and bloody red. A
hideous mouth was lined with u row OF shattered
ebony, and from the instinct OF long hunger, had
acquired a habitual cape for food. The wreiched
man was speaking vehemently and incoherently to
himself. 1t was Il sort of insane jabber. ng "a mad
s%oliloquy, in which my lord was frequently re-
peated. turned away with a mingled sentiment
Of disgust and horror, and, ondeavoring to release
my recollection from the painful image which SO
irIghtiul an object had left behind, proceeded TO
invest myself in my professional trappings, tied
band with precision about my neck, complained, as
is the wont with the junior bar, that my wig had
not been duly besprinkled with powder, aud that
its curls were not developed in sufficient amplitude,
set IT rectilinearly upon my head, and, after casting
IA look into the glass, and marking hejudicial organ
III a certain prominence upon my brow, ! re-adJusted
the folds Of my gown, and reascended the hall OF
the -Four Courts in a pleasurable state OF unqualifi-
ed contentedness with myself. | directed my steps
to the Court Of Chancery, and, having no better
occupation, | determined to follow the example OF
certain sagacious aspirants TO the office OF Commits
sioner of Bankrupts, and TO dedicate the day to an
experiment in nodding, which | had seen put INTO
practice with effect. There are a set Of juvenile
gentlemen who have takenfor their motto the words
ola Scotch ballad, which. upon a recent motion for
an injunction, Lord Eldon affected not TO under
stand, but which, If he had looked for u moment up
On the benches of youthful counsellors before him,
while in the act Of delivering a judicial aphorism,
he would have found interpreted in one of the
senses of which they are susceptible, and have dis
covered a meaning III "We're all a nodding," Of OBJ
vious application to the Bar. Confident in the
fexibilty of my neck, and a certain plastic facility
Of expression, ! imagined that was not without
some talent for associations; and accordingly seated
myself in such a place that the eye Of My Lord
Manners, in seeking refuge from the inquisitorial
physiognomy of MIR. Plunket, would probably rest
upon me. The Court began to fill. The young
aristocracy Of the Bar, the sons Of judges, and fifth
cousins of members OF Parliament, and the whole
r,s,no ,ooaration nf tho K,ldaratroet Club- ora