Personal Recollections of English Law Courts.
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"Oh, yes, sir, I have the original opinion face, always showing intense eagerness to follow counsel in their arguments and to ar here. Shall I read it to you?" "Pray be so good, Mr. Wickens." rive at a right decision; and a very rapid de The opinion was then read by Wickens, livery, perplexing to stenographers, were his and after the reading of it, Bethell in his characteristics. His was the favorite court, for in those days a plaintiff could choose his blandest tone remarked : — "What a most extraordinary production! own court, and Wood's court was always What a farrago of .unqualified nonsense! overflowing with work. Sir J. Romilly was You do not give me the name of the distin getting old then, Sir R. T. Kindersley was a nonentity, and Sir J. Stuart's decisions were guished lawyer who wrote it." almost always reversed on appeal. The at "The signature is R. Bethell." "Dear me, that must have been many traction of Wood's court, after the judge years ago, Mr. Wickens. It has often been himself, was the bar. At the time I speak a matter to me of pious wonder what has of, in 1860, Mr. James (afterwards Sir W. become of those unfortunate people who M. James, and a Lord Justice of Appeal, were foolish enough to consult me in the but never known by any name except "fat James," Mr. Willcock, and Mr. Daniel, had early years of my career." Only one more story of Wickens. I went fallen out of the running. They had been into Stuart's court one day. Wickens was at outstripped in the race by Rolt and Cairns, the back of the court with his chin resting who were their superiors in forensic advo on the back of the last seat in the court. cacy; but in after years James's powerful Stuart always sat in full court dress, black judicial mind caused him to be reckoned as silk stockings, and shoes with large buckles, probably the ablest equity judge of this half and was very proud of his legs. He was of the century. And now and then, in heavy cases, leaders from the common also fond of having witnesses examined or I have ally in his court — a rare thing in those days. law bar came into Wood's court. A case was on relating to some ancient seen Sir Fitzroy Kelly and Mr. Mellish right of way, and the oldest inhabitant of there; but it was nearly even betting that the village was in the witness-box, looking any time you went into Wood's court, Rolt very bucolic and very much perplexed. A would be arguing. strange man came up to Wickens and began Sir Hugh Cairns always greatly impressed asking him who the different people in the me. He was a great dandy in his dress, court were, the judge and the various coun always wore highly-varnished patent leather sel. Wickens answered him politely enough boots, a spotless shirt front, and a wig with at first; then when he was asked "Who is out a hair out of place. With his delicate the curious-looking old gentleman standing face and clear complexion, and a slight vi there?" pointing to the witness-box, "Oh, bration of his nostrils with every breath, he that is the testator in the cause," said always reminded me of a highly-bred and Wickens. well-groomed race horse. He was in every My favorite court was Wood's. There way a great forensic orator. I remember once the giants congregated and did battle. I going into Wood's court; a great case was think Sir William Page Wood (afterwards on, and a great bar assembled. I think the Lord Hatherley) impressed me more than any case was Borghesi v. Pamphili, and related to judge I ever saw, except perhaps Sir William the property of a noble Italian lady. There Erle. An extreme courtesy and kindness were Sir R. Bethell, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Rolt to all the members of the bar, and indeed to and Cairns, and many others, and Wood was every one about him; a thoroughly good listening intently to the arguments of a junior,
