The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-20
A Curious Custona-MaskinES SerEeants-
,as-Lnw I'm an English Court.

Curious Cust0na-Maaking Sergeants-
,at-Lnw I'm am English Court.
The London Globe, in late article headed
Ailabout the Courts" referring to some
recent judicial promotions in England, treats
Of the ancient and mysterious order Of SER
gcants-at-law, and gives n description, which
we reprint, OF the mode in which barristers
selected for advancement to the bench, who
may not already be "sergeants," are adj
mitted to that honorable fraternity. The
comforting Of this dignity upon them is au
indispensable prerequisite to their being
sworn in as judges Of the Queens Courts at
Westminster. Mr.. Archibald, who has been
raised on the Queens bench, is brother OF
Mr.. Edward A. Archibald. the British Con-
sui-Gencral in New York. The Globe says
"Tbe special diversion of the past week
has been the first appearance of no less than
two new judges in their respective courts
In the ctse of Sir James Hannen, who took
bis seat for the first time as Judge Ordinary
Of the Court of Probate and Divorce, the
interest was not particularly keenly felt. The
elevation Of Mr.. Justice Archibald on the
same day to the Qucen's Bench was an event
Of a different kind. There is an ancient
custom, which has grown to be rule, that
all judges Of the Superior Courts at West.
minister shall take upon them the rank OF
scrgcant-at-law before they exercise the du-
ties of the higher office.
"Now, the degree of sergeant-at-law is one
Of great dignity and antiquity. Treatises
have been written demonstrating the claim
Of the venerable institution OF sergeantcy to
the reverence Of all posterity, and setting out
the rights and privileges Of an order COM
pared to which the objects Of paleontoloSy
are things of quite u little while ago. Even
the very title of the Office is so old that its
derivation is somewhat obscure. Some au-
theritics are of opinion that the origin ofthe
Office is strictly feudal, and that the holders
retained it by Enightly services (SerrienteS
ud legem) in the realm of law, while others
incline to the belief that the sergeants are the
representatives Of some knowing fellows
(sages GenS) who arrived in this country in
the wake Of William the Norman. All, how
ever, are agreed that, like many other ancient
dignities, the original holders scame over
with the ConGueror' at the very least.
"Whv Judge must needs be a sergeant
is one Of the mysteries into which it ill be-
comes irreYerent and inquisitive persons to
pry too narrowly; they might as well ask
why bishop is made ID. d. Suffice it to
say that such is always the case, and that a
judge could no more appearon the bench
without the sergeant's colt on the summit of
his wig than the great Panandrum himself
without the little round button at the top.
So Mr.. Justice Archibald was made SER
Scant according to ancient usage, and gave
gold rings to all kinds of great people, and
finally appeared at the bar Of the Court OF
Common Pleas as counsel for one apocryplal
Aun Winu, widow, who sued out a writ OF
dover Qhey called it Il real action, though it
was only sham, but. as an old lady i'll the
crowd was heard to remark, sThat's the way
O.. all lawycrS'j. How a passage was made
right through the bar benches, for all
tie world like tue passage along which
nervous gentlemen are marched on to the
stage ut wizards entertainment ; how the
new sergeant. in a purple cloth gown of an
cicnt cut anda fuil-bCt:onled wig of tremen.
dous proportions, came slowly to the front
and addressed their lordships in solemn
tones how the;r lordships struggled brively
to, keep grave, and how Mr. Justice Brett at
last gave UP gravity as hopeless; how Mr.
Sergeant Ballantine and Alr. Sergeant Barry,
who had some mystic rites to perform in
connection with the proceedings, man.
AGED TO keep rs grave as undertakers, thereby
sending half the spectators into tits. To
uarratc all these things In full would occupy
too much space. The ceremony was brief
ti,wcver, and in very few minutes from its
commencement the new sergeant left tho
room, as the police reports say, 'accompa'
MED by bis Friends , ..... ..- -.
"Scenc III. was laid in the Court Of Queens
Bench. where ten minutes afterwards Mr.
Sergeant Archibald appeared in Il new char
acter, with entirely new dresses and deco
ratiopS.' An crmincd gown and bob wig
replaced Tie scrgeant's robes. The bar ant
The spectators rose as lie entered, and re
nlancd standing while the Judges oath was
administered by The officer OF the court. The
pew judge then took his seat and signed the
roll of the court. and SO ended the ceremony
Thus entered upon his judicial career maj
who has won his way to the bench by dint o
| honorable, plodding, toil-a man who com
mands the universal esteem and regard of hi
brothers now on the bench as of his latt
brethren at the bar, and who may safely b'
trusted to bring to the discharge of his duties
us judge sound and ripe scholarship il
law, Il winning and courteous manner, and
fitting SENSE OF the high office he has at
| tanned" ...E