DEAR MR. PUNCH,--I am a briefless barrister, and I wish to throw
myself upon your generosity by asking you to allow me to make a
suggestion which will be of great public interest, and incidentally
help me to make my fortune. All London to-day is placarded with a
thrilling picture of the Law-Court Scene in _A Woman's Revenge_. My
suggestion is--Why not have _real_ barristers? The theatre to-day is
nothing if not realistic. Drury Lane has its race-horses, Ibsenity
its ghosts--why should not the Adelphi take the town by storm with its
barristers? The actor may, no doubt does, act the part admirably, but
who can contend that he can possibly do so as well as could a real,
actual barrister, who would know that he was striving not merely for
the applause of the moment, but for the guinead briefs of the future?
If Messrs. GATTI will undertake to accept the plan, I will undertake
to provide the barristers. The programme would then run:--
_Sir John Blacklock, Q.C._ (_Counsel for the Crown_) ... Mr.
A. B., 102, Temple Gardens, Temple, E.C.
What we briefless barristers want in these hard times is merely the
chance. I look to Messrs. GATTI to give it to us. I ought to add that
the above address, though, in point of fact, it is my own, is given
purely by way of illustration, and in no way to advertise myself,
though should anyone wish to consult--again, of course, purely with
reference to this suggestion--the way to my chambers from the Strand
is down Middle Temple Lane, whilst the Temple Station is just three
minutes' walk. I am, Sir, your obliged servant.
L. ERNED COUNSEL.
_November 30th, 1893._
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No second editions for Mrs. R. She says "she'll see the _First Mrs.
Tanqueray_, or none at all!"
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[Illustration: THE SAFE SIDE.
(_Problem set:--To flatter a Poet's vanity and do no violence to your
conscience._)
_Pownceby_ (_a minor poet_). "ES, HAVE YOU SEEN MY LAST VOLUME, LADY
VERA--_THROBS AND THROES?_"
_Lady Vera._ "OH, YES, I HAVE."
_Pownceby._ "AND WHAT DID YOU THINK?"
_Lady Vera._ "OH, I THOUGHT--THAT YOU HAD NEVER DONE ANYTHING
BETTER."]
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