Mr. Justice Burroughs, of the Common Pleas, used to resort to
the use of proverbs and parables in dealing with the juries.
One day at _nisi prius_, much talk was made about a
consequential issue in the case. He began to explain it to the
jury thus: “Gentlemen of the jury, you have been told that the
first is a consequential issue. Now, perhaps, you do not know
what a consequential issue means; but I dare say you understand
nine-pins. Well, then, if you deliver your bowl so as to strike
the front pin in a particular direction, down go the rest. Just
so it is with these counts. Knock down the first, and all the
rest will go to the ground; that’s what we call a consequential
issue. (Text.)--CROAKE JAMES, “Curiosities of Law and
Lawyers.”
(548)