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THE GREEN BAG
he finally said: "In many years' observa tion of the Bar I have learned that success is only possible with one or more of three qualifications, viz.: a commanding person, a fine voice, or great ability, and I rate their importance in the order named. Now, with your wretched physique, penny trumpet voice, and mediocre capacity, I think you would surely starve to death." The bar rister did not "apply," but never spoke to the Scotchman again. The anecdote illustrates the crucial na ture of the step taken by any barrister, either on the common-law or equity side, in taking silk or "going special." And even if these steps be taken with success, yet there are waves of popularity affecting a leader's vogue. Solicitors get vague no tions that the sun of a given K. C. is rising or setting — that the judges are looking at him more kindly or less so. Wherefore leaders and K. C.'s may sometimes be seen on the front row with few briefs, who were overwhelmed with business a few years since. A successful K. C. leads a strenuous life, as may well be appreciated if he be so good as to take his American friend about with him in his daily work, seating him with the barristers while he is actually engaged. One very eminent K. C. who is also in Parlia
ment, rises in term time at 4 A.M., and reads his briefs for the day's work until 9, when he breakfasts and drives to chambers. Slipping on wig and gown at chambers and crossing the Strand, or arraying himself in the robing room of the Law Courts, he enters court, at 10.30, takes part in the trial or argument of various cases until 4 o'clock — and often has two or three going on at once, requiring him to step from court to court to open, cross-examine, or close, relying upon the juniors and solicitors in each case to keep it going and tell him the situation when he enters to take a hand. From 4 to 6.30 he has consultation at his chambers at intervals of fifteen minutes, after which he drives to the House of Commons, where he sits until dinner time arrives at 8.30. If there is an important debate on, he returns to the House but tries to retire by midnight for four hours' sleep. Naturally the long vacation alone makes such a life possible for even the strongest man. PHILADELPHIA, PA., June, 1906.
The author's notes upon trials and appeals, with some information as to how legal business comes and what are its rewards, with remarks as to the cohesion of the profession, etc., must be re served for the two following numbers. — EDITOR.
