Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-21
VALUE OF A Lawyers OPINION.

story ABOUT lawyer, winch we thougnt WIZ
thy translation, but we had not proceeded
far, when it occurred to us that we had
heard the same anecdote before, and very
probably il originated in this country. At
any rate, il is not new, but then it is served
up in handsome French style, which al
ways gives additional value to the matter
Besides, If we really succeed in making any
Of our readers adopt for practice the opn-
ion, we shall have done good service. We
do not know that any one will adopt the
opinion Of Bernard, as to the value of law
yer's opinion, unless il should be the lawyer
himself, though it is probably, on second
thought, that many give more heed to that
opinion than 10 the other authority which
Bernard prefers.
Cities, like men, have their peculiar char
acteristics. Industrial, maritime, wise or
frivolous, they reveal by their physiognomy,
the nature Of their inhabitants. Traverse
Rouen, Lyons, Brest, or Strasbourg, and
your eye will be revelation Of the fates of
the citizens the history Of each class Of
population will be found, so to speak, writ
ten in its streets.
One is especially struck with the truth of
this remark, on visiting Rennes; on seeing
its grand edifces and magesterial mein its
magnificent squares, with the grass spring.
ing up between the paving stones the soi
tary promenades traversed at long intervals
by thoughtful students. We recognize at
once the capital of the old Duchy of Breton,
the ancient residence of the Parliaments, the
city of studies, whittier came to form them
selves for manhood, all the serious youths Of
the province, for the prominent feature of
Rennes is gravity. The whole city is as
calm and serene as tribunal, and this in
deed, is the home Of the law. There stands
its temples, its high priests, and its most
feryent worshipers. People go up thlther
from the extremities of Bretannie, to receive
council. TO come to Rennes, without con-
sulting lawyer, would appear as much i'm
possible to Breton, as it would have been
to Greek to approach the temple of Del
phos, without consulting the oracle.
This was as much the case towards the
end Of the last century as it is now, especial
ly for the country people, timid race by
experience, and accustomed to great pre-
cautions.
1t happened that farmer named Bernard,
having come to market at Rennes. took it
into his head, when his business was accom-
plished, and there were Few hours of eis-
ure, that it would be capital use of that
spare time to consult a lawyer. He had Of
ten heard people speak of Mr. Potes de la
Germendaie, whose reputation was so great
that the people thought suit already gained
if he undertook it, Bernard asked for his
address, and went Immediately to his office,
in ST GEORGES street
The clients were numerous, aud Bernard
had to wait for long time. At length his
turn came and he was introduced. Mr. Por-
tier de la Germendaie pointed him to the
chair. laid his spectacles upon his table, and
asked what brought him there.
''Pon my word, Squire said the farmer,
twirling his hat round L heard so much talk
about you, that finding myself at leisure in
Rennes, thought would take advantage
Of the circumstance, and come and get an
opinion Of you
4 thank you for your confidence, my
friend said nj. de la Germendaie; but you
of course have lawsuit
"A law suit law suit |! ! hold them in
utter abominaton and more than that Pc !
ter Bernard never had dispute with any
man living
Then you wish to settle some estate, or
divide the property among the family
Beg pardon Squire, my family and new
er had any property to divide; we all eat
from the same dish, as the saying Isl
1T is about some contract for the pur-
chase or sale of something
Not at all | am not rich enough TO pur-
chase anything, nor SO poor as to sell what l
have
What then do you want of me y asked
the astonished lawyer.
what WANT Why l told you at first,
Squire, came for an opinion, for which
will pay of course, as am in Rennes now,
at leisure, and it is necessary to profit blythe
circumstance
M. de la Germendaie took pen and paper,
and asked the countryman his name.
Peter Bernard answered he; happy in
deed that he had succeeded in making him
self understood
Your age 2
Thirty years, or thereabout.'
Your profession 7
MY profession ? Oh, ali, yes-that is
what do do, Oh, am farmer.
The lawyer wrote two lines, folded up
the paper, and gave it to his client,
rs it done alreadyr cried Bernard
svery well, that's right. There is no time
TO get rusty here, as they say. How much
do you charge for this opinion, Squirrel
Three francs
Bernard paid without disputing, made
grand scrape with his foot, aud went out de-
lighted with having 'pro6ted by the OCCASION
When he arrived home, it was already four
o'clock The iauat had fationed him and