ANSWER TO A QUERY.

Evening Star, Issue 3128, 27 February 1873, Page 2

ANSWER TO A QUERY.

To the Editor.

Sir, — In answer to your correspondent “(J. R. Chapman, So icitor, Ac.,” I beg to inform him that no one objects to any member of the legal pro essioa advertising ; but what is objected to is his style of “ touting ” advertisement. “ Favor the old identities a style which is beneath even a chimney-sweep or petty tradesman, many of whom are older identities than he. What a ludicrous idea ! A young man, not 25, calling himself an “old identity !” Why the Maoris are ten times older identities than Mr Chapman, who told me, himself, that all he wanted by his pathetic advertisement was notoriety ! No doubt he will gvt a kind of notoriety thereby, but a notoriety not to be desired by a member of the most learned profession in the Queen’s dominions.—l am, Ac., Self-respect.

To the Editor.

Sir, —In your isme of this evening, I notice a letter from Mr C. K. Chapman, a duly admitted member of the New Zealand bar, referring to a notice headed “ Favor (sic) the Old Identities,” and asking if it is considered unprofessional to advertise in this manner. I would inform Mr Chapman that it is considered decidedly unprofessional for a barrister to advertise in any form, but such a style as this is disgraceful. T would recommend Mr Chapman to perfect his notice by the addition of the words, “The worthy poor treated free of charge.”—l am, &c., Sam Weller, Jun. February 25tb, 1873.

To the Editor.

Sir,— For the information of your correspondent “C. 1C Chapman, Solicitor, &c,, and without discussing the question as to whether the fact of one being m New Zealand alters the rule as to an “unprofessional” act, I beg to say that in the time of William Blackstone, the learned author of “ The Commentories,” and whose works your correspondent may possibly have perused, it was no uncommon thing to advertise one’s calling and abilities, as witness the following taken from “Ye Starre,” a journal of the period “ All sortea of Opinions given vpon ye most difficult Qvestions of ye Lawe bye Willm. Blackstone, Knt at ye Sigue of ye Woolesack in Fleete street, over againste Sergeants Innc. Fee, Vis. Vllld.” Following the example of his great prototype, your correspondent might without the slightest fear of offending against the laws of his adopted country—for 1 may inform him that there is no enactment at present in force restricting eccentricity,—advertise his legal waves in any shape and form most consistent with his own feelings and good taste. Why not, for instance, offer an opinion, glass of ale, and ham sandwich for 10* 6d, or a conveyance and his ca'todf-visite for a guinea. The former mode would undoubtedly draw, especially about lunch time, and the latter would gain him an entree into the photographic albums of numb. Hess admiring friends. If I can offer any other suggestion, I shall—l need not say, be delighted. Pshaw !