Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-10
TESTING a JUDGE.
An old scatch Law Custom.

From the Washington Chronicle
There IS an ancient and curious, yet in-
trinsically sensible, routine at the install
lation Of Judge Of the Supreme Court
lthere designated Lord Of SESSION. in
Scotland. Mr.. John Marshall, COM
monty called Lord Corrriehill, by virtue
Of being a Scottish judge, lately re-
signed his office of Senator of the
College of Justice in Scotland, (the
supremest Of the Supreme Court and
Mr.. George Dundas, sheriff Of Selkirk,
was appointed TO succeed him. The
manner Of his admission IS so peculiar
and vet SO instructive, in its principle,
that We may as well describe it here.
The Court Of Session, sitting in Edin-
bureh, consists Of Senators Of the Court
of Justice, generally known as the
First Division. aud the Lords Ordi-
nary, sitting in the Outer House. This
court was established by James Y, in
Nav, 1882. There now are thirteen
Lords Of Session, namely: the Lord
Justice General, the Lord President,
and eleven other judges, Of whom five
are Lords Ordinary, four Of whom must
sit daily in the Outer House, the fifth
enjoying what is called his blank day.
Accordingly, as vacancies occur In the
College Of Justice. by death or resigna.
tion. the vacancy is filled up from the
Lords Ordinary in the lower or Outer
House. The appointments to all the
judgeships are for life, and each judge
assumes a particular title on his pro
motion. Thus, John Marshall took the
name Of Lord Corriehill from a landed
estate he owns, while Francis Jeffrey
the great critic, was content to be Lort
jeffrey. The honor does not pass Il
their wives, who would simply be Mrs
Marshall and Mrs. Jeffrey.
On q certain day, 3 few weeks ago
the Outer House Of the Court Of Session
In Edinburgh, which formerly was th
large hall Of the ancient Scotch Par
lament was croBed with lawyers, in ful
costume Of gowns, wigs, and bands, an
with gaily-dressed ladies Precisely s
10 am. bell rang in the courthouse
where the First Division sits, under tn
presidency Of the Chief Justice CLERK
On either side Of this lunctionary sa
the other eleven judges, including th
Lords Ordinary, in their crimson an
black slsshed robes and heavy peruke
white with powder. There walked u
70 the table Of the court a gray-halre'
intelligent, mild-looking gentleman
full court dress, laced and frilled Tn
was Mr.. George Dundas. heretofol
sheriff Of Selkirk, an Office which S
Walter Scott had occupied for quartz
Of a century. Mr.. Dandas held larl
official letter in his hand, which he pr
seuted TO the presiding judge. Th
fupctionary broke the large official sea
aud, on drawing out parchment, a
pounced that IL was under the sll
manual" which means that 1t bo
Queen Nictorias signature. On II
intimation the judges and every one ell
rose. Then the president asked wheth
the missiye should be read, and his CT
leagues having bowed their assent {
clerk Of the court read aloud the a
.,,oiptment Of 1.-The learned Geor
Dundas to the vacant Office Of Lo
of Session. Here, one might think, t
seene would be completed bv b
Onpdas being sworn into Office and ia
;ng his seat among the judges Not
however, and here the peculiar ce
mOnials begin.
The court having resumed their chai