Skimpin may have been intended for Wilkin, a later Serjeant and
well-known in the 'fifties, and whose style and manner is reproduced. We
could not ask a better junior in a "touch and go" case. He was as ready
to take advantage of any opening as was the late Lord Bowen, when he was
junior in the Tichborne case.
[Picture: Mr. Skimpin]
On entering the Box, Mr. Winkle "bowed to the Judge," with considerable
deference, a politeness quite thrown away. "Don't look at me sir," said
the Judge sharply, "look at the Jury." This was ungracious, but judges
generally don't relish any advances from witnesses or others.
When poor Winkle was accused by the Judge of giving his name as Daniel,
he was told that "he had better be careful:" on which the ready Skimpin:
"Now, Mr. Winkle attend to me if you please: and let me recommend you,
for your own sake, to bear in mind his lordship's injunction to be
careful." Thus by the agency of Judge and counsel witness was
discredited at starting and of course flurried.
'I believe you are a particular friend of Pickwick, the defendant,
are you not?