NOTES OF THE MONTH. 471 



a-year, so that if blessed with six sons, he, during the course of an 

 exemplary life, will be the munificent donor of a matter of six pounds 

 to Alderman Atkins for the poor of the parish ! Verily, if the six 

 sons are like their respected parent, they will be sent forth to the 

 world as a <f saving grace unto all people." Poor Cobbett was so cut 

 up that he has not opened his mouth on the subject since. His 

 talented castigator, is, we believe, the member for Leather/lead. 



ARBITRARY ARBITRATIONS. The folio wing passage from the parlia- 

 mentary debates of the last month has given us great satisfaction : 



"The Solicitor- General, in answer to a question respecting the Arbitration 

 Bill of Lord Tenterden, said it was not his intention to proceed with the 

 measure, and objected to forcing parties to an arbitration." 



The Solicitor-General knows something of the consequences of 

 " forcing parties to an arbitration." He cannot have forgotten the 

 means by which Lord Tenterden achieved his comet-like career, 

 through the nisi prius cause paper and how largely those means con- 

 tributed to the bankrupt list. Thirty or forty actions were disposed 

 of per day some were tried, but many referred. It may be said that 

 a suitor need not submit to arbitration unless he pleases : this is true, 

 but on account of his ignorance of the consequences, he blindly 

 accedes to the judge's bland benignant recommendation backed of 

 course by the advice of his counsel and attorney to " settle the 

 matter out of court." In many instances this mode of settlement 

 settle the suitors as well as the suit. The public should know how 

 these things are arranged, and how they operate. A., we will sup- 

 pose, has brought an action against B. ; the usual proceedings, at the 

 usual expense, have been taken by both parties the cumbrous and 

 costly juggernaut|of justice has been for some time in motion the briefs 

 are delivered the counsel feed the witnesses ready the jury sworn. 

 Two free-born Britons are about to amuse themselves by practically 

 enjoying that boast of Great Britain, a trial by jury ! But no sooner 

 has the plaintiff's counsel given an outline of the case than his 

 lordship suggests a reference. Some coquetting ensues between the 

 learned leaders and their respective attornies they cant decently say 

 " Yes," at the first popping of the question and the plaintiff's counsel 

 goes on. Presently his lordship interferes again for the salvation of 

 the suitors. " Really, the matter might be much more satisfactorily 

 arranged by some gentleman at the bar but if the parties will stand 

 in their own light." This overcomes all obstacles the charms of an 

 amicable adjustment of their differences by " some gentleman" are too 

 seductive to be resisted by the plaintiff and defendant his lordship 

 suggests that probably Mr. Blather would accept the reference a 

 young barrister on one of the back benches bolts up, bows to the 

 bench the amazed jury are directed to give a nominal verdict 

 without hearing a word of evidence although they have just sworn 

 to give a true verdict according to the evidence the court fees are 

 paid and the next case commences. 



Within a mere trifle the whole of the expences of getting the cause 

 tried in a constitutional manner by judge and jury have already been 



