to look into
it, and then we can meet again some day and hear what it is all about.

_L.C.J._ Yes, a Committee by all means; the smaller the better. "Too
many cooks," as dear old HORACE puts it.

_M.R._ Talking of cooks, isn't it about lunch time?

[_General consensus of opinion in favour of lunching. As
they adjourn, L.C.J. detains Chancery Judges to tell them a
story about something that happened at Bodmin, and, to prevent
mistakes, tells it in West Country dialect. M.R. immediately
repeats it in strong Yorkshire, and lays the venue at
Bradford. Result; that the whole of HER MAJESTY's Courts in
London were closed for one day._

* * * * *

THE LAY OF THE LITIGANT.

(_AFTER HOOD. ALSO AFTER COLERIDGE'S (C.J.) LETTER TO THE LORD
CHANCELLOR ON THE DECAY OF LEGAL BUSINESS._)

I remember, I remember
The Law when I was born,
The Serjeants, brothers of the coif,
The Judges dead and gone.
The Judicature Acts to them
Were utterly unknown;
It was a fearful ignorance--
Oh, would it were my own!

I remember, I remember
The worthy "Proctor" race,
The "Posteas," and the "Elegits,"
The "Actions on the Case."
The "Error" each Attorney's Clerk
Did wilfully abet,
The days of "Bills" in Equity--
_Some_ bills are living yet!

I remember, I remember
The years of "_Jarndyce_" jaw,
The lively game of shuttlecock
'Twixt Equity and Law.
Tribunals then were "Courts" indeed
That are "Divisions" now,
And Silken Gowns have feared the frowns
Upon a "Baron's" brow.

We remember, we remember
The flourishing of trumps,
When Parliament took up our wrongs,
And manned the legal pumps.
Those noble Acts (they said) would end
Obstructions and delay,
And ne'er again would litigants
The piper have to pay.

I remember, I remember
Expenses, mountains high;
I used to think, when duly "taxed,"
They'd vanish by-and-by.
It was a foolish confidence,
But now 'tis little joy
To know that Law's as slow and dear
As when I was a boy!

* * * * *

THE HERO OF THE SUMMER SALE.

(_BY OUR OWN PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL POETESS_.)

[Illustration]

I would I loved some belted Earl,
Some Baronet, or K.C.B.,
But I'm a most unhappy girl,
And no such luck's in store for me!
I would I loved some Soldier bold,
Who lea