HITMBUG OF THE J<AR. 



leader breakfasts. The parties accordingly assemble at the appointed 

 hour, and the leader's clerk acquaints his master with the name of 

 the case in which he is about to appear. " Oh ! exactly, ' Snibbs 

 against Somebody/ well what's the point; I believe I'm for the 

 plaintiff." The junior takes up his cue, and relates the particulars 

 of the case, with a verbosity which shows that he has had time 

 enough to read his brief. " Ah ! it all lies in a nut-shell " inter- 

 rupts the learned leader " but still if it could be settled without 

 going into court a reference perhaps your client objects I see 

 well then, he must take the consequences we shall have the judge 

 against us." " But, Sir," says the trembling client, " if my wit- 

 nesses prove my case, surely " " Don't interrupt me, Sir ; we 

 can't waste time in idle speculations ; " I've two more consultations 

 before the Court sits. Gentlemen, good morning." 



The poor suitor's case is at length called on the opening speech 

 made the witnesses examined assault proved verdict given for 

 the plaintiff damages 40-y. the counsel, with a facetious chuckle, 

 congratulates the attorney upon his luck and looks at his next brief. 



Now, what is the result of all this ? the client is awarded 40*. and 

 all his costs in the cause are to be paid by his opponent ; but then comes 

 the extra costs, " as between Attorney and Client" which the success. 

 ful party has to disburse himself; and thus, after having received a 

 sound thrashing, for which the action is brought, and endured many 

 months of uneasiness, he finds himself minus at least, notwith- 

 standing his damages, of some six or eight pounds ten ! a great 

 deal more, or a trifle less, as it may happen. 



Such is the mode in which cases are too frequently conducted ; the 

 advocate, who has, probably, never looked into his brief until the 

 moment when he should be thoroughly acquainted with its contents, 

 under the pretence, that in attempting to prove all, he may prove too 

 much, rejects the most important part of the plaintiff's testimony, and 

 calls just sufficient to establish a mere legal claim to a verdict, reck- 

 less alike of the feelings and the interest of his client, both of which 

 are in some measure, in actions like the above, committed to his dis- 

 cretion. 



The mode in which counsel conduct the examination of a witness 

 is too well known to need exposure ; the pompous trickery of 

 " Upon your oath, sir," and " Will you take upon yourself to swear?" 

 to intimidate a man from the truth rather than lead him into it, is 

 equally resorted to by the brow-beating bully, and the tortuous 

 sophist. Should the Judge misdirect the jury either as to the law or 

 fact, interference is rarely attempted; the senior counsel has left the 

 court for refreshment; he is reading the newspaper preparing for 

 the next case,and the junior does not sufficiently possess the ear of 

 the court to venture upon an interruption : cf You have your re- 

 medy" is the answer : " move for a new trial." 



Another grievous abuse is the changing of briefs, so that, if I give 

 my case to Mr. Voluble, it probably falls into the hands of Mr. Stutter, 

 the former having some other engagement more pressing than the 

 interest of his client. It is in vain for me to exclaim to my attorney, 

 " It was my wish that Mr. Voluble should be employed. I find in 



