AN UNSUCCESSFUL LAWYER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2353, 7 May 1892, Page 3

AN UNSUCCESSFUL LAWYER.

Gilbert, of comic opera fame, was a barrister before he took to slinging ballads and writing librettos. He tells an interviewer;^ 4 I well remember my first brief, which was purely honorary, I am a tolerably good French scholar, and was employed to interpret and translate the conversations and letters between at : tomey, leading counsel, and client—a Parisian. I was at Westminister. The Frenchman, who was a short, stout man won his case, and he looked upon me as having done it all. He met me in the hall, and rushing up to me, he threw his arms around my neck and kissed me on both cheeks. That was my first fee. On another occasion I defended an old lady who was accused of picking pockets. On the conclusion of my impassioned speech for the defence, she took off a heavy boot and threw it at my head. That was my second fee. The circumstances attending my initial brief on circuit lam not likely to forget. I was to make my maiden speech in the prosecution of an old Irish woman for stealing a, coat. Mr and Mrs Bancroft and the members of the Prince of Wales company then on tour were present on the bench, and I am sorry to say, at my invitation. No sooner had I got up than the old dame, who seemed to realise that I was against her, began shouting : ‘Ah ye devil sit down. Don’t listen to him, yer Honor! u ’s known in all the slums of Liverpool. *- it down ye spalpeen. He’s as drunk a" a lord, yer Honor—begging your lord Kip’s paron.’ ”