LAW AND LAUGHTER.

Shannon News, 2 September 1927, Page 2

LAW AND LAUGHTER.

WITTICISMS FROM BENCH AND BAR.

Chief Justice Doherty, of the Irish Court of Common Pleas, Avas famed for Lis Avit. Someone, observing a Avoman in a very loav dress, remarked to him, “Did you ever see the like of that before. ” “Never since I Avas Aveaned,” was the prompt reply. Lord Erskine Avas a very “AA r ordy” Judge. In condemning a tailor to death for murdering a soldier by stabbing him, he aggravated the offence thus:—“And not only did you murder him Avliereby he Avas bereaved of his life, but you did thrust or push or pierce or project or propel the lethal Aveapon through the belly band of his regimental breeches, which Avere his Majesty’s!” “I A\*ish to ask the Court,” said a laAA’yer Avho had been called to the witness box to testify as an expert, “if I am compelled to come into, this case in which I have no personal interest, and give a legal opinion for nothing?” “Yes, yes, certainly,” replied (lie mildmannered judge, “gHe it for Avhat it is Avorth.”

- A man haA’ing been capitally coimeted at the Old Bailey Avas, as usual, asked what he had to say Avhy the judgment of death should not be passed on him.

“Oh,” replied lie, “Why I think the joke has been carried too far enough already, and the less that is said about it the better; so, if you please my lord, Avc’ll drop the subject.” The daughter of a Avealthy l.rwyer Avho had just receded from him a beautiful set of moleskins, remarked to him. “It is difficult to realise that such Avonderful, beautiful furs can come from such a low, grovelling little beast.” The father, affecting to be deeply hurt, gently remonstrated, saying, “I don’t ask for thanks, my pet, but I do insist on respect.” A Avoman, to relieve her husband, Avho Avas charged Avith cutting off the end of her nose, sumre before the ma° f i ctrate that she bit it off herself.

Lord Coleridge /used to teil of a London cabby Avhoni lie once hailed in a great hurry and told to driA r e him to the Courts of Justice. “Courts of Justice t ’ said the cabbv; “AA'here be they?” “What!” said Lord Colerulge; “you a London cabby and don't knoAv where the Larv Courts are?’ ‘Oh. the Larv Courts, is it? I luioav them; but you said the Courts of Justice!” A lawyer named Strange, by his Avill . directed that a tombstone'"should be erected upon his grave on Avhich should •>e inscribed the Avords, “Here lies an honest biAvwei. ’ ’ ’without the addition of his name or other particulars because he said, “everybody Avill know and hay, on seeing the inscription, “That's - Strange. ’ ’ “ ** i