A Sportsman at Large 21 



A contemporary of The Dads and a brother sergeant-at- 

 law was that celebrated advocate Mr. Sergeant Ballantyne, 

 and the two were great cronies. 



On one occasion it happened that my parent was appointed 

 chairman of a commission held in the provinces. This was 

 before he was raised to the Bench, but under such circum- 

 stances he was allowed for the nonce full judicial authority 

 and status. It happened that Ballantyne was arguing a 

 case before him. 



Bal. : " Now, milord, I wish to call your particular atten- 

 tion to the point which I have raised I am sure your lordship 

 will agree " 



Dads : " But I don't agree ! " 



Bal. : " But surely, Milord ! " 



Dads : " I don't ! " 



Bal. : " Oh, come, SERGEANT COX, you must see the 

 force of my argument ! " 



Dads : " No, I don't. It has no bearing whatever on the 

 case." 



Bal. : " Oh, d it all, COX do be reasonable ! " 



I am indebted to my good friend Judge Parry for this 

 yarn. His Honour is, by the way, the son of another of the 

 ancient order Mr. Sergeant Parry to wit. 



It is generally believed that my father was " The last of 

 the Sergeants," but this is an error ; there were two at least 

 who were junior to him, and one or two (Gaselee and Robinson, 

 I think) who survived him. 



The Dads was a dreamer. His mind was always wandering 

 into unexplored channels. Whilst actually occupying the 

 Bench or engaged on some specific pursuit, he was the per- 

 sonification of concentrated energy ; but as soon as that 

 particular occupation was concluded, he would relax and 

 allow his thoughts to soar far above earthly amenities. 



Among other appointments which he held was that of 

 Chairman of Quarter Sessions of the County of Middlesex. 

 He used to drive to the court in a Stanhope phaeton drawn 

 by his beloved cobs, Tommy and Pet. 



It happened, one winter's afternoon, that he had a bunch 

 of bookies before him, charged with illegal betting. The 



