NOT SYNONYMOUS

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1913, Page 61

NOT SYNONYMOUS

Additions to the store of legal anecdotes we already possess are always interesting, provided they ■ possess the proper quality. At the annual dinner of the City of London {Solicitors’. Company,- Mr. Justice Sargent told a story about a Scottish counsel’s reply to an illmannered judge, which is’ well worthy of repetition. This Caledonian advocate ’was. arguing in the House of Lords a case which involved riparian and manorial rights, but he offended the fastidious ear of on© of the Law Lords by repeatedly speaking of , ‘ watter rights.’ ■ 'v" '• •'• • With how many “t’s” do you spell water, Mr. ?’ the Law Lord inquired after some time. ‘ I spell “watter” with but one “t,” my lord, but “manners” with two “n’s,” was the advocate’s prompt and proper reply. The best thing in the way of an answer given by counsel to a judge was Curran’s famous reply to Fitzgibbon, Earl of Clare, when that worthy was Lord Chancellor of Ireland. The great Irish advocate was delivering a speech of great eloquence and power, when he was suddenly interrupted by the Chancellor in the following strain. Mr. Curran, in your speech you seem to draw a fanciful ..distinction between the words “also” and “likewise,” words which to me have always appeared synonymous.’ Curran quick as lightning, told his old enemy - and persecutor that the words were not synonymous by any means. ‘I will give you an illustration,’ he said; ‘the great and good Lord Lifford for many years presided in this court, which he adorned. You “also” preside, but not “likewise.”-