St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1862-07-24
LONDON.

After traversing the entire parIiamenta-
~ ard judicial sections of the New Pal
ace at Westmini.ter." felt natural de-
sire to visit the Old Bailey Sessions House.
where the Criminal Courts ARE held. 1t
must have been for my sins. that under
took this exploration. for twi,hstanding
the denominations. liquid. solid and case
Gus. which have come under my nose. and
for which such halls Of justice are not
without distinction nearer home. it is but
fair to record my conscientious belief, that
IN her n,njes.y's court. a.lj"ining Ncwgate
Prison. are ecntcr~d the multiplied and
complicated smells Of unwashed hu,Eani-
ty. Green home Of my fathers" saws
Tom Moore. as the ravishing odor of the
punch steals over him, Green home of
my fathers I smell thee bcre."-I could
have wished for some such pleasant in
cense to recall my patriotic memories, in
lieu Of the sitting atmosphere Of the court
room. which must have seriously tried
the olfsctories of that much abused god
drss Of justice" The court was in session,
and srial progressing. much as III our
tribunals ''busy people" Of whom the
iIlustrious Peter" deigned to speak,
seemed here quite in their element. ap-
pareu,ly dalig ightcd with the variety Of
-eents. which went up perhaps in the
shape Of "apprals" to the presiding judges.
Of course my visit was Of the bricfest:
aud after shaking the dust from my feet
against that dirty ''temple Of justice" I
pruceedrd to investigate the remaining
parts Of the building \ dining room is
constructed immediately over the hall
said TO be for the use of the judges
Let wr-,ch-s hang that jurymen may
dine." was the epigramma,ic line
written upon the wall, afforling convinc.
ing proof that juries here assembled in sol.
smn conclave with the court. upon often.
ees. capital and culinary. while it pre-
s-nted the object Of the ''txtreme rigor o.
the law" in light quite novel to me
aud may venture to say. equally new te
the "Bosks."
Az we were about to give parting
shake to our feet, and a more mundane
s.rn to our noses. an official bedecked ant
powdered, stepped up to US With . mos
un- English civility Of demeanor. and sale
With Voice of peculiar sweetness, it wa,
usual to receive fec from strangers visit
ing ''.hcse courts of her majesty" as W,
had escaped the lawyers, we felt unusual
ly secure aud we're very naturally sur
-;riscd. that any Ole should usurp this
sheir cherished prerogative-we pocketed
however, the astonishment oceasioaed b,
the paliteness and the usurpation, and t.
the credit of this functionary / must sar
he n,ade like disposition Of our shillings
with consummate coolness, and u grace
believed hin, incapable of.
A few evenings after our arrival at Lon
pom, We presented ourselves at the door o
the Hay msrket Theatre. and as We were
about to purchase tickets. some one detect
ing our nationality. inquired whether w
would like to see the Queen and Roya
Cousors. Of course. We replied. as oul
republican curiosity suggested, and were
informed thst her majesty would be pre-.
sent that evening. and further that the boz
directly opposite hers. had not been en-.
gsgsd-we at once secured the seats tc
which our attention had been called, at q
figure. however. which warranted the BE-
lief that advantage had been taken of that
inquiritiven.ss said BY foreigners to he au
indigenous plant on this side of the Allan
tic. We had scarcely been shown oul
places before The box directly rus a r,s,
wss occupied by gentleman and three
ladies; a,,d had any thing been wanting
20 convince us Of their di.tinz zuishcd posi-.
sion. the rich velvet hangings. and the
royal arms enblazoned upon them woult
have amply suaieed. Instantly the Who'll.
building rcsoanded with tLe applause o
the udiencc-not the studicd and mea
cured tribute, extoFt.d by mere power
but it seemed te "e. greeting warm ant
fresh from the heart. to viriuous woman
aud righteous sovereign. whose life ala,
rrign Lave been blessing to her people
Prince Albert though. sineuiafly hand
tome- his years and honors had crid. ntl.
rr.tcd lightly upon him. leaving him th'
iuli frc.Rnees and yigor for which he hat
Lem .enowptd in youth; perhaps he Lu