APPENDIX. 191 



171 his own 7nind his account of it will be confused and 

 imsatisfactory. This is undoubtedly the test to which every 

 man should rigorously submit himself before entering the 

 witness-box. The case should be viewed in all possible 

 aspects ; and if an opinion has been formed, it should be 

 dealt with and criticised as if it were that of an adversary. 

 As in controversy, a disputant should place himself as much 

 as possible in the position of his antagonist, and see the 

 question from his point of view. In this kind of self- 

 examination it may be well to remember two points— first, 

 that there is no opinion so certain as that the human mind, 

 if left to itself, will not infaHibly raise a difference of opinion 

 upon it ; and secondly, that a man is never so near an error 

 as when he claims a complete immunity from error. 



Rules for the Delivery of Evidence. 



There are a few rules bearing upon medical evidence 

 which, if observed, may save the witness from interruption 

 or reproof and place him in a favourable position with the 

 Court. 



Direct Answers. 



The questions put on either side should receive dit'ect 

 answers, and the manner of the witness should not be per- 

 ceptibly different, whether he is replying to a question put 

 by the counsel for the prosecution or for the defence. 



Most of the questions put by counsel in cross-examination 

 will admit of an answer "yes" or "no." If, from the in- 

 genious or casuistical mode in which the question is framed, 

 the witness should feel that the simple affirmative or neg-ative 

 might mislead the Court, then, after giving the answer, he 

 can appeal to the judge to allow him to qualify it, or add to 

 it any matter within his ow7t knowledge and which is at the 

 same time relevant to the case. The witness must remember 



