ANECDOTE OF THE LATE LORD PLUNKET.

North Otago Times, Volume 1, Issue 4, 17 March 1864, Page 6

ANECDOTE OF THE LATE LORD PLUNKET.

A lady named Eliza Teresa M'Donagh,in a letter to the Tuam Herald, describes an episode in the life of Lord Chancellor Plunket which may not be uninteresting to your readers. The lady's father was plaintiff in a tedious Chancery suit, and Lord Plunket, then Attorney-General, was his leading counsel. "On the third day of the final hearing," she says, "I walked into the court. I was then very young, and buoyed up with wild enthusiasm of effervescent spirits. I listened for a short time to one of the opposing counsel, who was addressing the court on behalf of the defendants, and without a moment's reflection or preperation I took from my pocket a small cross, which I grasped in my right hand, and with the words'/^ hoc signo vinces,' on my lips, I stood up and solicited the honour of being heard for a few moments. The Court, the bar, and all were taken as if by electricity; the honour I sought for was at once acceded to me in a sweet, mild voice froni,the bench, from the lips of a thin delicate man (Lord Manners). I was stating the unvarnished tale in so telling a manner that one of the defendants urged on counsel to compel me to sit down. ' You shall not,' replied Mr. Plunket, ' you would do a disgraceful act ! the lady must be heard out ;' sure, enough, I was heard out. At the conclusion of my address my head reeled, my eyes swam, and the scene before me was chaos. On leaving the gallery whence I addressed the Court I was met by counsel, who told me a decree was pronounced in my father's favour, and that the AttorneyGeneral wished to see me at his house the next morning. Next morning I was soon on my way to Stephens-green, where the late Lord Pluuket then resided. I was speedily in the presence of the great and good man, who jocosely complimented me on my debut at the bar, handed me back his fee of £10 10s., and told me, ' should I ever require a friend in court to call on him.' My reply was, ' God bless you sir, I hope I shall soon see you Lord Chancellor.' He sailed that day for England, and when next he was in court, it was as Lord Chancellor of Ireland."

The Empehob, Napoleok and M. Ren an. — The Emperor has addressed the following letter to Mgr. Parisis, Bishop of Arras, acknowledging the reception of his work, entitled '• Jesus est Dieu," in answer to M. Benah's " Vie do Jesus :" — " Monsieur l'Eveque, — -You have been so kind as to send ino the book you have written to combat a recent work which attempts to raise doubts on one of the fundamental principles of our religion. I hare seen with pleasure how energetically you defend the faith, and 1 otter you my sincere congratulations. Whereupon, Monsieur l'Eveque, I pray God to have you in His holy keeping. Written at the Palace of Compiegne, tin's 14th of November. — NAPOiiECcr." As flowers never put on their best clothes for jSmfoy. but wear their spotless raiment and exy^i&Jbgii' odour every day, so let your life, free tjftiPiihktLt ever give "forth the fragrance of the