The " Bed of Justice."

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 27 November 1890, Page 2

The " Bed of Justice."

■ ■ "» At the Sussex Assizes, at Lewes, on August 6th, the business opened before Mr Baron Huddloston " under circumstances probably without precedent" — otherwise, under the bedclothes. "In consequence of a i sudden and severe attack of gout in the course of the night" (wo quote The Times), 'the learned Baron wa3 utterly unable to leave his bed, and the medical gentleman called in declared that the attempt to do so would be dangerous. The learned

Baron at once telegraphed to London for assistance, but a3 no one could arrive within two or three hours he thought it would not be •* well to keep the Grand Jury waiting all that time, so he considered whether he could not charge tlje Grand Jury in his bed." In fine, he considered that he could and would. Tho terms of the commission of assize authorised him to hold Court "at such places aud times as you j may appoint ; " consequently the j udicial bedroom was declared to be a Court (the case is not without analogy in the history of Otago), and at the appointed hour the officers and jury filed in before the learned Baron, Huddlestoned — no, huddled — in the blankets. " The high sheriff, with the two undersheriffs, stood at tho head of the bed on one side, the clerk of assize on the O! her, and the gentlemen of the Grand Jury were ranged round the foot and sides of the bed. . . . Then the learned Judge proceeded to charge them from his bed* with his usual skill, clearness, and facility. It should be mentioned that at the Judge's express desire the doors were left open, and the representatives of the Press were present. His lordship said he desired it to be known that this was a public Court, and that any of the public might come in who cou'd — at which th« Grand Jury laughed, the room being pretty full." At a later hour a Q.C. arrived from London, and proceeded to try the pris ners, the learned Baron remaining in his " Court" with the proud consciousness of having done his duty and established an interesting precedent.