ublic.

_Ques._ Is the definition invariably the same?

_Ans._ No, for it depends upon the exigencies of the Press and the
frivolity and fickleness of the Public.

_Ques._ Were you to refrain from questioning a Witness anent his
antecedents, and subsequently those antecedents becoming known, his
evidence were to lose the credence of the papers, what would be said
of you?

_Ans._ That I had neglected my duty.

_Ques._ Were you to question a Witness on his past, and, by an
interruption of the trial, that Witness's evidence were consequently
to become superfluous, what would then be said of you?

_Ans._ That I had exceeded my duty.

_Ques._ Is it an easy matter to reconcile the interests of your
clients with the requirements of Public Opinion.

_Ans._ It is a most difficult arrangement, the more especially as
Public Opinion is usually composed of the joint ideas of hundreds of
people who know as much about law as does a bed-post.

_Ques._ In the eyes of Public Opinion, whose commendation is the most
questionable?

_Ans._ The commendation of a Judge, because it stands to reason
(according to popular ideas) that a man who knows his subject
thoroughly must be unable to come to any definite decision as to its
merits.

_Ques._ And in the eyes of the same authority, whose commendation is
the most valuable?

_Ans._ In the eyes of Public Opinion the most valuable commendation
would come from a man who is absolutely ignorant of everything
connected with a Counsel's practice, but who can amply supply this
possible deficiency by writing a letter to the papers and signing
himself "FAIR PLAY."

_Ques._ Is there any remedy for setting right any misconception that
may have occurred as to the rights and wrongs of cross-examiners?

_Ans._ Yes, the Public might learn what the business of a
cross-examiner really is.

_Ques._ I see, and having done this, can you recommend anything
further?

_Ans._ Having learned a cross-examiner's business, the Public might
then have time to attend--to its own!

* * * * *

THE TRAVELLING COMPANIONS.

NO. XXIII.

SCENE--_The Lower Hall of the Scuola di San Rocco, Venice.
British Tourists discovered studying the Tintorets on the
walk and ceiling by the aid of RUSKIN, HARE, and BAEDEKER,
from which they read aloud, instructively, to one another.
Miss PRENDERGAST has brought "The Stones of Venice" for the
benefit of her brother a