, 1874-07-26
ENGLISH LAWYERS.


ENGLISH LAWYERS.
Memories OF Westminster Hail.
4 very interesting hnd readable volume, en-
titled ''Memosies Is OF Westminster Hail." has
been reprinted from the expensive London edl-
ton BY Estes 4 Lauriat. The book (VoL y is
principally collection OF anecdotes OF the no
table Judges and lawyers who have figured ia
that famous court OF justice. Probably no edi-
hce In the world possesses such rich fund Of
historical associations as Westminster Hall.
1t has been the sceno OF many grand legal ex-
qaetiugs for several centuties past. Charles l.:
the Earl OF Essex. Sir Waller Ralegh. and
Warren Hastings there had their trials Crom-
we'll sat there, when he wore almost purple
enough to seem King; and the young Scotch
Preteuder, with disguised face, looked down
from its balconies upon the banquet which tho
"Meny Monarch" gave after his coronation.
The book is full OF theae interesting incidents
of English public life which hare transp'ted in
this historical place. Tue following extracts
will give the reader some idea OF tho attractive
coutenta Of the volume:
When Hone was tried before him for bias
pheuly. Lord Tenterden tEca:ed him with g. cat
iorbaarauce; but Hone, not contensed with the
Indulgence, took to vifying the Judge. Even
in Turkish court, I should not have met with
.Certanly." replied Lord Tenterlen. !" the bow
string would hayo peen ronnd your neck an hour
ago"
SCARLET r5. CoBBETT.
I believe that on no occasion dsd A1r. Bcarlett
ever give such scope to his powers Of inficting
torture as on one in which poor cid Coooett fell
into lis clutches. This wa4 thirteen or four
teen years sgo. CobDett had, for seven OF e!sht
mouths before, been heapl1g, in almost every
Successive Register, his OWL unrlvaled abuse
Oh Mr. Scarlet. What the character OF that
abuse was mar be at oace understood when
IL NsSAr 1a&*
Cobbett even surpassed himself. This abuse
OF Mr. Scarlett WAS aIwara poured out In the
shape OF letter addressed to NT. s. himself;
aud 10 order that he and the reader might be
prepared for what WAS TO follow, tile letso.B in-
variaply began with "Dase Lawyer ScaS:ett." I"
instead Of with the usual term 'S1r." Mr.
Scarlett smarteu most .l-iblJ under tho cas-
ti:atious Which Cobbett thus administered
to h,m, week after week and therefore very
naturally took the opportunity Of rctaiiatlng
when poor Goblet was brought into court OF
law. The ground Of action against Cobbett Tas
an alleged Incl on then attorney. whose nRme
| io1bear to mention because he IL still living.
Against old Cobbett were arrayed Messrs.
Bfougham. Deuman, and Scariett-a formidable
trio. ce1tainly, for poor uuprotesssoaA man
like Cobbett to have pitted against him. Mr..
Brough2m and Mr. Denman we're severe enough
10 denouncing tho alleged libel aud its author;
but still Cobbett did not fancy he saw IN them
any effort to gratify individual v'ndictlYeness.
With Mr. Scarlett Le thought tbs case WAS differ
eDt, He supposed that with him it wa8 altogether
personal affair, aud that what he exclusively
aimod At WAS the qualification OF private re-
yeuge. Cobbett. however, determined that
before be quilted tho court he would return
the blows which had been SO NheralIy dealt
out to him by Mr.. Scarlett. Tho latter con-
cluded lis speech in words to the following
effect; .'Geutlemen OF the jury, it is impoeBi-
tle fur ms to estimate tho amount OF injury
which this malignant and systematic lbelcr
{pointing to Cobbett) has inflicted on mg
client; and no damages, however great. can
done him. Gentlemen, my client is at present
an attorney. but had the intention OF preparing
hl1uself for tho Bar; and. being young man OF
crest talents there WAS no distinction in the
profession to which be might not have reason
ably expected to attain. Nay. gentlemen, 1
elevation to which ho would have been justi-
fed III aspiring. But, gentlemen, the viruent
with which this notorious trader in
libels has heaped upon him have blasted al his
fair prospects aud wel-nigh broken ms heart.
It is, therefore, for you, gentlemen, TO mark
this person BY giving corresponding amount OF
damagos" Goblet rosa Immediately on Mr.
Scarlett's rosuming his seat. and putting both
hands beneash the ample tails OF bis coat, and
eyeing the jury with bland aod humorous e1-
pl ession Of eountenauce, said: Gentlemen,
YOU are men OF the world, aud must laugh in
your own minds at all the t1ummery you have
juat heard. You know, gentlemen, such stuff
about injury to character, and h'astins oHes
prospects, and destroying one : peace, ls 70 be
beard 10 this court oTefy hour ~ tue day. lho
lawyer" -pronouncing the word in way which !
riyes it h very emphatic and very unpleasant
q meauing-''the lawyer who has been v1lifylog me
for the last hour and half would do the same gen.
tlemen, in either Of yoar cases, II hlred Tor tho
purpose. You know, gentlemen. taat Like the |
IL -ui1 fba
NJ to alessrs. Hroughan, Denman, and Scar |
ett} viii prosecute themselves TO any dirty work |
,or which they may be engaged They are a. |
says, gentlemen. at the service OF tho highest |
bidder The great crime, it seems, gentlemen,
vbjch have committed, Is that OF having CRUSH
ID Lacyer in she egg"
LORD rnuRLow DEYExDs HIMSELF.
As Speaker OF the House OF Lords, Thuf1ow
ras distinguished for the dignity with which he
.oforeed the rules OF debate. Upon one oc-
.asion ho called the Duke OF Grafton to order, !
vho, incensed At the Interruption, insolently |
eproached the Chancellor with his plabetan
'r,gin aud recent admission into the Peerage. |
Previous to this time, Thurlo'E had spoken 80
that he WAS listened to by tue House /
sisL visible impotence. When the Duke bad
oncluaed his speech, Thuriow rose from the
'oolsack, and advanced slowly to tho place from
thence the Chancellor generally addressed the
Iouse and fixing upon the Duke the look OF
owe when be grasps the thunder, II an
mRzed," he said, IN level toae OF voice, at
be attack winch the noble Lord has Inada upon
ne. Yes, my Lords" considerably RAISING bis
olce u an amazed at hss Grace'a speech. Ihe
i'm, or on either side OF him. with
nt saeiug some noble Peer nho owes his
"a, in tins House to bis successful e1ertlons in
he profession to which neioug. Does ha nos
eel that it is "a honorable to owe it to these a.
n bging the accident OF an accident? To ali |
- 3o "a fnn 3$ lo |