Up, and by Appointment to MR. WAGSTAFFE'S, and so with him to
Westminster Hall, to see my LORD CHANCELLOR and the Judges, after
Breakfast with my Lord, this being the first Day of Michaelmas Term,
open the Law Courts in State, in their Robes and Wigs. We there at 12,
the Hour set for the Ceremony, but, we found, only for the Beginning of
it by Breakfast, which had we thought of, we had taken our Time, as
knowing that my Lords would be sure to take theirs. So clear that we
must have Patience, MR. WAGSTAFFE did say, like many besides us in
Westminster Hall. So out to look at the New Houses of Parliament, and
how the Masons speed with the Building, which will be mighty fine when
it is done, and MR. TRANSOM do commend the Style, and I too, both for
the Proportions and also for the Heraldry and Lions. Then back again to
the Hall, where now a few more People; and presently comes marching in a
Party of Policemen, large enough to have taken up all present, and yet
hardly have had one Prisoner a-piece; But the Numbers did by Degrees
increase, and were, I did note, mostly of the better Sort; thank the
Police. Among them divers Barristers-at-Law, some with their Sisters,
some with their Wives, or such as did seem like to be their Wives, many
of whom mighty comely Damsels, and were a Sight I never expected, not
thinking they could care for Law Matters, or to see the Judges, 2d.; but
strange how Women do flock to every Concourse, whether it be to see or
only to be seen. There for the first Time I did behold MR. TOMKYNS, the
young Barrister, in his Wig, wherein he do look mighty sedate, and I
telling him I hoped he would come to open Term himself, made answer as
it might be some while first, he wished I might live to see it. The
people now crowding about the Doors of the Courts, the Police did make a
Lane between them for my LORD CHANCELLOR and the Judges to walk down,
and MR. WAGSTAFFE did call it Chancery Lane. My Lords still not coming,
he did observe that now we had a Sample of the Law's Delay, and did
pleasantly lay the Lateness of the Breakfast to the Account of the
MASTER OF THE ROLLS. But they at last come, and we opposite the Court of
Common Pleas got a good View of them to my Heart's Content. First comes
the Mace, and a gentleman in his Court Suit, wearing a Sword and Bag,
and with them the Great Seal; then my LORD CHANCELLOR, and did walk down
to his Court at the end of the Hall, looking the better of his Sickness,
which I was glad of. After him the other Judges, of whom most did enter
the Door whereby we were, and mighty reverend they looked, but merry and
in good Humour, and beamy and ruddy after their Breakfast. But to see
MR. JUSTICE TALFOURD come last of all, shaking Hands with his Friends on
both Sides, he newly made a Judge, being a Poet, did most content me;
and MR. WAGSTAFFE did say he looked in good Case and by no means
_puisne_. The Judges all entered, the Rabblement let into the Hall, and
we away, fearing for our Pockets; which are like to be very soon emptied
in Westminster Hall.
[Illustration: _A PROSPECTE OF YE 5TH OF NOVEMBER, SHOWYNGE YE "GUYS."_