A JUDICIAL ORNAMENT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2106, 23 November 1880, Page 2

A JUDICIAL ORNAMENT.

There is a Judge in "Victoria "and a good judge, too" a description of whose method' of dealing with tie case* that come before him will bring to the mind* of many members of the legal profession recolloeticna of a gentleman who has long ornamented the judicial bench in this Colony. Judge Smyth (says the " Warm am- ■ bool Examiner ") ,msans to make a reputation . in the Western districts. Blood will tell, and it told in the Courthouse here on Wednesday, to the delight of the gallery and the astonishment of the Bar.. The extraordinary perceptive powers, of his Honor in grasping the whole bearings of the case before the £rst witness had. got half through with his evidence, the ingenuity with which he whisked the witness out of the hands of the examining advocate, and the kindness with which he did duty as barrister for both sidej,- would certainly have caused annoyance- bnt for the pleasantries which, like rays ■ef sunshine, sparkled through the more sceer utterances, mostly in Latin, of his imperturbable Honor. It was in vain that distressed ceUcitors endeavoured to work out their points. One would exclaim, " I wast to show youa Honor ." " Z know, Lknow," the Judge would interject. "Iryoustopnowl am disposed to giveyoo. a verdict for the amount. If yon. crossexamine she witness, perhaps- you won't get that." And the blushing attorney,, whosediscrimination had received- so handsome a. compliment, would slowly and blushing It subside. Hia Honor's style is entertaining tcs disinterested spectators, perplexing,to advocates, and clearly satisfactory to himself. No-. one found fault with the decisions oa the 27th. ultimo,, unless it was those whe lost, aad, losing, suitors are never pleated.