The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-19
His selected Abb.

The Dispatch has heretofore printed two
versions Of the famous alibi story told
by the late Sir Frank Lockwood, noted
internationally as a lawyer and wit, says
the Pittsburg Dispatch. Now Augustine
Birrell has published memoir of the
distinguished jurlst, and incorporates the
account of the affair. To complete the
record, it is here reproduced as Sir Frank
related it at the dinner given by the
American Bar Association:
Il remember on one occasion defending
an innocent man-it has not often fallen
to my lot to defend so innocent a man.
When I asked the solicitor, who instruct
ed me about the case. to tell me what the
defense was, he said: 1t is an alibi.'
Said l: No better defense can be prof
fered to any judge; tell il to me- He
said: 1t was on the 18th of March, as
you are aware, that this innocent man
is charged with this offense at York
York is my own constituency, and l de-
fend my cGslstituents on reasonable terms.
He said: on the 18th of March our client,
so far from being In York, was in Man
chester attending a race meeting 1 said:
l don't like il. 1t may offend the Non
conformist conscience. Well says he
let that pass. He was at BIackpooL'
'Where| I said. Drinking at the. bar
of a public house, and I have got the bar
maid TO prove it.
This I rejected on the grounds that
the public house might be a stumbling
block to some Well what do YOU think
Of this| says he. 'Wolverhampton, in
secondhand furniture dealers shop. buy
ing coffin for his mother-in-law. and I
have got the book to prove it, | said.
That's the alibi for our innocent man
Wei, we tried that man, and he was con-
Victed, and on the Conclusion of the trial
1 mad the opportunity of conversing with
the learned judge who tried The case
Said he; That was goodish alibi' Said
l; 1t ought to be. my lord, ii was the
best of three "
From the same source this was extract
ed: 1t was on a petition to the master
or the rolls for payment out of court
OF sum of money; and Lockwood ap-
peared for an official liquidator of a com
pany whose consent had to be obtained
before the court would part with the fund
Lockwood was instructed to consent. and
his reward was TO be three guneas on
the brief and one guinea for consultation.
The petition came on in due course be-
fore Lord Romilly, and was made plain
to him by counsel for The petitioner. and
still little palmer by counsel for the
principal respondent.
Then up rose Lockwood, an imposing
inquire and indicated his appearance in
the case.
What brings you here?" said Lord
Romilly, meaning, I presume, 'Why need
l listen to you?'
Lockwood looking puzzled. Lord Rom
lily added little testify, What do YOU
come here for?"
The answer was immediate, unexpected
and, accompanied as il was by a dramatic
glance at the outside of his brief. as if
to refresh his memory. triumphant
Three and one, my lordp'
There was Homeric laughter in the old
court of chancery, and it was fitting there
should be, for this was not only Lock-
woods first brief and first forensic joke,
out 1t was, l verify believe, the last Joke
ever made in the high court of schancerv
That old court had indeed, but few.
months to live ere IL was swallowed w
In a brand new high court of justice.