Morning journal and courier., 1882-04-03
Stories of Judges

[From the Wit and Wisdom of the Bench and Bar.l
 Occasionally judges find themselves in con- fict with members of the bar who are under no professional privilege or restraint. Some maintain their dignity by fining and commit ting for contempt of court This course may in some cases be necessary, but deli cate ridicule is generally much more effec- tive. A troublesome attorney, who was pleading his own cause and raising untenabls points before Lord Peterborough, became exasperated because he was invariably over ruled, and exclaimed, My Lord, my LOT d, although your Lordship is so great 8 man now, I remember the time when I could have got your opinion for five shiliings" Such impertinence would, with many judges, have led to the committal of the offender; but Lord Peterborough merely observed, with an amused smile, ''Sir, dare say it was not
 worth the money" The same judge was on
 one occasion sitting at the Guildhall, when Henry Hunt, the famous demagogue, appear
 ed upon the floor of the court. MT. Justice
 Talfourd describes the. scene which followed in these terms |" I am here, my lord, on
 the part of the boy Dogood,' proceeded the
 undaunted Quixote. His lordship cast a quietly said, MT. Hunt, see no name of any boy Dogood in the paper of causes,' and turned toward the door of his room My lord, vociferated the orator, sam I to have
 no redress for an unfortunate youth? l
 thought your lordship was sitting for the
 redress of injuries in 8 court of justice. oh no, Mir. Hunt, still calmly responded
 the judge; T am sitting at Nisi Prius, and have no right to redress any injuries except
 those which may be brought before the jury | and me in the causes appointed for trial. l My lord then said Mir. Hunt, somewhat
 subdued by the unexpected amenity of the l judge, I only desire to protest Oh! is that all ? said Lord Peterborough by all means protest and go about your business So | Mr. Hunt protested and went about his busi
 ness and my lord went unruff1ed to his din- | ner, and both parties were content"
 | Great judges have always been the objects l of intense respect and veneration to the English people, and few ordinary persons | would venture to dispute, without difidence,
 the law which they lay down. Thele is per | haps no more amusing or fragrant abuse of this confidence in judicial requirements than the proceedings of Sir Edward Coke | when he went in search of his daughter. He l had lived for years on very bad terms with his wife, who, when he proposed to marry their only daughter to Sir John Villiers car 1 ried her off and concealed her at a house in | Oatands belonging to the Earl of Argyll. | Coke, receiving information of this, collected | body of armed men and put himself at their head. Encased in breastplate, with a sword by his side and pistols at hls saddle bow, he arrived with his followers at the outer gate of the house, where he repeatedly de handed his daughter in the kings name,
 laying it down for law that if death should
 ensue it would be justifable homicide in him,
 but murder in those who opposed him. Such
 an opinion coming from so inspired source was enough to cause the most resolute garrl
 rison to tremble, and the result was that
 Coke recovered his daughter without much difficulty
 Some judges can not cooperate with juries
 Mr. Baron Alderson was exceedingly impa tient with a stupid jury, and often made hif 1 thoughts plainly known to them. A jury il
 criminal case having returned verdic | which displeased him, he turned to the sheriff
 saying ''Good heavens, sir, can't have an other jury, and let these twelve persons go ln i to the other court where they can't do SC much mischief ?" To the disobedient jury he
 said, s'Gentlemen, you will find in the other
 court, perhaps. in the course of the day
 something which you can try" Then, in ar | absent, musing manner, he soliloqu1zed | ''No doubt there are some men who never
 can comprehend what evidence is, but tha
 twelve such men should come together to
 day and let that man off Prisoner" to tht happy man who had been acquitted "the
 jury have acquitted you. Heaven knows l why No one else in the court could have
 the slightest doubt of your guilt, which is O | the grossest kind; but you are acquitted | and I can't help it."