The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-18
JESTS OF A FAMOUS JUDGE.
Some Characteristic Witticisms Of Sir
Henry Hawkins.

Henry HaWk1nS.
London Daily Mail.)
| Or no man OF our time, hardly, have
moro stories been told than of Sin
/ Henry Hawkins, who recently retired
from the exchequec division OF the high
/ court CT Judlcature, and who was made
peer on New Years cay Every week
/ Of his judicial career brought its fresh
specimen of judicial wit, humor or
character. During the hearing Of the
Tranby Croft baccarat case much COM
ment was caused By the manner in
which Lord Coleridge allowed the
bench to be occupied by lady specta-
tors. Shortly after this case MIR. JUS
lice Hawkins had to hear libel action
arising out of some criticisms Mr.. Par
kinsDn of the London county council
had passed upon the moral character
OF some marionettes which were then
being exhibited at the Westminster
aquarium. The marionettes-two male
dolls and a female fgure-we.-e pro-
Where shall we put these figures ."
asked counsel.
4 suppose the lady" said Sir Henry
lnaliciously, ought to be accommodate
ed with a seat on the bench"
Mr.. Justice Hawkins once had to sem
telce an old swindler and gave him
seven years. oh, ny lord" whined the
i
judge took another look at him, and
answered: 4 don't think it is at all
desirable that you should"
On another occasion the usual form
atty was gone through of asking the
prisoner, who had been found guilty,
if ne had anything to say. Striking
theatrical posture, and with his right
hand in the air, the man exclaimed:
May the Almighty strike me dead If
I lon r he I
of this crime" Judge Hawkins said
nothing for about a minute Then, af-
ter giancing at the clock, he observed,
in his moss impressive tones: Since
the Almighty has not thought fit to in
tervene l viii now proceed to pass sem
tence."
To the representatives of the press
disoharging their duties in his court he
was invariably courteous, but even they
Did not always escape his quiot sar-
casm. During the hearing of the case
at Norwich assizes women and chill
dren were ordered out Of court. Coun-
sci subsequently, called his lordship's
attention TO the fact that the messen-
ger boys of the papers remained, and
was met with the quiet reGoinder:
They are members of the press, and
probably the evidence cannot corrupt
their minds"
Jack the fox terrier. was Sir Henry's
inseparable companion and friend. He
was a present from the late Lord Fall
mouth. Many a good story is told of
Jack and his master. Once in
crowded asSiZe court, Jack was sitting
at the judges feet when a baTrister
commenced to cross-examine a witness
in a loud and angry tone of voice. Jack
took Offense and barlled Justify. Dear
mo dear mo rr1ray- Ter ne have -
said Sir Henry: II wish gentlemen
wouldn't bring dogs into court"
The caustic remarks of his lordship
have not always been confined to the
bench. At the opening of an assize the
chaplain preached what he conceived to
be a distinctly good sermon. and he had
the temerity to sound Mr.. Justice
Hawkins on the subject. Did you ap-
prove of my sermon, my lord?' he
asked. Il remarked in your sermon.
Mr.. Chaplain" was the prompt reply
two things which. to be candid, l did
NOT approve of, and which l have, am
glad to say, never remarked on a SINH |
lar occasion They were. my lOrd?" |
was the anxious question of the
preacher. The striking Of the clock" /
answered Mr.. Justice Hawkins, twice /
sir
Sir Henry was once presiding over a /
LONG. tedious and undressing trial, /
and was listening. apparently, with ]
great attention to a very lOng-winded /
speech from q learned counsel. After /
2 while he made a pencil memoran- |
5um, folded it. and sent it by the usher |
10 the O. c. in question, who. unfolding /
tho paper. found these words: Pa !
Hence competition. Gold medal, Sir /
Henry Hawkins; honorable mention, /
Job"
When dealing. with children. either /
n The witness box or in the dock. Sir /
Henry has always displayed a kindly I
disposition. He was once testing
whether a boy witness understood the
nature Of an oath. In the course of his
questions he said to the lad: IF 1
we're to say that you had an orange in
-our mouth. would that be the TRUTH"
No it would be a lie And if l said
-ou had one in your hand?' That
would be another lie" And if prom
sed you a bag of oranges and then
lidn't give them to YOU, what would
hat be?'' That would be a. lie And
f I did give them to you?" That would
lie the truth" Very well, WILL" and
Re did.