ld I help thinking that a
good many Counsel, young and old, if their minds were free from
prejudice, might learn many lessons from this case. It is with this
object that, in my waking moments, I record the impressions of this
dream. I do not say Mr. Nimble was an example to follow on all points,
for he had that common failing of humanity, a want of absolute
perfection. But he was as near to perfection in defending a prisoner as
any man I ever saw, and the proceedings in this very case, if carefully
analysed, will go a long way towards proving that assertion.

After the interchange of courtesies between his Lordship and Mr. Nimble,
the learned Counsel looked down from the Bench on to the top of Mr.
Keepimstraight's bald head and nodded as if he were patting it. Mr.
Keepimstraight was the Lord Mayor's Clerk. He was very stout and seemed
puffed up with law: had an immense regard for himself and consequently
very little for anybody else: but that, so far as I have been able to
ascertain, is a somewhat common failing among official personages. He
ordered everybody about except the Lord Mayor, and him he seemed to push
about as though he were wheeling him in a legal Bath-chair. His Lordship
was indeed a great invalid in respect to matters of law; I think he had
overdone it, if I may use the expression; his study must have been
tremendous to have acquired a knowledge of the laws of England in so
short a time. But being somewhat feeble, and in his modesty much
misdoubting his own judgment, he did nothing and said nothing, except it
was prescribed by his physician, Dr. Keepimstraight. Even the solicitors
stood in awe of Dr. Keepimstraight.

And now we are all going to begin--Walk up!

The intelligent and decent-looking prisoner having been told what the
charge against him was, namely, Highway Robbery with violence, declares
that he is as "innercent as the unborn babe, your lordship:" and then Mr.
Keepimstraight asks, where the Prosecutor is--"Prosecutor!" shout a dozen
voices at once--all round, everywhere is the cry of "Prosecutor!" There
was no answer, but in the midst of the unsavoury crowd there was seen to
be a severe scuffle--whether it was a fight or a man in a fit could not
be ascertained for some time; at length Mr. Bumpkin was observed
struggling and tearing to escape from the throng.

"Why don't you come when you are called?" asks the Junior Clerk, handing
him the Testament, as Mr. Bumpkin stood revealed