O poor jury, boxed, poor jury,
Three weeks odd, each day but one;
Rose impatience not to fury
Ere your weary task was done?
You were special, picked and chosen
For the nonce, were you, indeed.
But had one among your dozen,
Business of his own to heed?
Put an artist on an action,
Or a scribe as juror bind,
How shall that man help distraction,
From his duty, of his mind?
Thoughts of lost employment pressing
He can chase not, nor control
Fell anxiety, distressing,
If it were to save his soul.
If your case needs comprehension,
Litigants, your jury, then,
Must, to give it due attention,
Be composed of leisured men.
Swells in yachts life idly leading,
Fishing, hunting, shooting, who
Might, to work for bread not needing,
Sing, “We’ve got no work to do.”
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE REJECTED DESIGN FOR THE NEW LAW COURTS
“One anonymous architect has sent in a frantic design, which the
commissioners have not chosen to exhibit.”--_Times_, Feb. 11, 1867.]
* * * * *
MARITIME LAW.--The law of libel does not apply to a “running down”
case. The parties are not in the same boat.
* * * * *
QUESTION.--Can a process server legally be said to be a writualist?
* * * * *
QUESTION EVERY MAGISTRATE OUGHT TO ASK HIMSELF BEFORE GOING TO
SLEEP.--“I wonder if I have committed myself in any way to-day?”
* * * * *
HOW TO PREVENT A CONSPIRACY FROM LEAKING OUT.--Let the plot thicken.
* * * * *
A MORAL PHENOMENON.--A barrister returning his fee.
* * * * *
BRIEFLESS THEORY.--’Tis practice makes the barrister perfect.
* * * * *
“AFTER YOU,” as the policeman ought to be allowed to say to the
bubble-bank director.
* * * * *
LEGAL QUIBBLE.--A barrister should cultivate a good temper, if he would
succeed as a cross-examiner.
* * * * *
[Illustration: A CONTRAST