The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-22
Remini.cence. of Currau.

A contemporary Of Curran says of that emil
nent barrister:
At a cross examination he was inimitable.--
He worried, he mimicked, he cajoled, he blair
neyed witnesses. He stopped at nothing to
confuse and contound them, believing that in
law, as in love, every stratagem was admissa-
BILE. To witness or the name OF Halfpenny,
he once began. "Halfpenny, see you are a
rap counterfeit and for that reason you
shall be nailed to the counter" Halfpenny is
sterling" exclaimed the opposite counsel. mo
sir" said Curran: she's exactly like his own
conscience, cepper-suashed" -,rf,ea IL ~
"My lord" Moderated a peasant witness
writhing under Curran's lash, 81 can't answer
q dold,un." ga doldrum! Mr.. Curran, what
does he mean by doldrumr' exclaimed the
Judge-Lord Avonmore. 90! my Lord, it's
very common complaint with persons ofthis
description, it's merely a confusion of the
head arising from corruption of the heart"
To the bench be was at times quite unceIe-
monious. He wes addressing a jury on one
of the State trials IN 1903, with his usual ami
nation, when the Judge shook has head, in
doubt or denial of one of the advocates argu-
ments, Il see, gentlemen" said Curran, 1T see
the motion OF his lordship's head; common
observers might imagine that implied differ
ence of opinion, but they would be mistaken
IL is merely accidental. Believe me, gentle
men, If you remain here many days, you will
yourselves perceive that when his lordship
shakes his head, there's nothing in itni g
Judge Robinson made most unfeeling ef-
fort to eXtingulsh Curran at the beginning of
his career. Robinson, it was reported, had
attained his rank by the publication of some
scuriilous political pamphlets. Curran de-
c,ared, in combating some opinion of his ad-
of Lo had IfoJ
books, and could not find single case in
which the principle contended for v as estab-
lished. 81 suspect, sir" said the Judge, Il
suspect that your law library Is rather con.
tracted." Curran eyed him lor moment In
eontemptuous silence. 1T is very true, nv
lord. that am poor, and the circumstance has
rather curtailed my library. have prepared
myself for this high profession rather by the
study of few good books than IN the coinpo-
sition of a .fe,u bad ones" t,IT
IL was not in the exercise of his profession
alone that Curran's extraordinary wit was
brought into play. To Lundy Foot, the ce,e-
brated snuff manufacturer and tobacconist
once hesitating, he said, "Lundy, Lundy,
that's a poser-a ID of a pinch" He an,
pied to Curran for motto when he first set
up carriage. "Give me one, nv dear Cur
RAM said he, "of serious cast, because / am
afraid the people will laugh at tobacconist
setting up a carriage, and, for the scholarship
sake, let it be in Latin" Il have Just hit on
it, said Curran; ''it is only two words, and it
win at once explain your profession, your ele-
walton, and your contempt for their ridicule,
and it has the advantage of being in two Ian
guages, Latin or English, just as the reader
chooses. Put up 'Qaid rides upon your car
mage" A Limerick banker, remarkable for
ms sasacity, had an iron leg. Ellis leg" said
Curran, rs the softest part about him." or
nlS VIII, tnese few instances, culed from many,
will give some idea ~ u 7--~>f :, =