ve judgment, inasmuch as there were points of
law to be argued. Mr. Bumpkin, although he had won his case so far as
the verdict was concerned, did not look by any means triumphant. He had
undergone so much anxiety and misery, that he felt more like a man who
had escaped a great danger than one who had accomplished a great
achievement.

Snooks' mouth, during the badgering of the witnesses, which was intended
for cross-examination was quite a study for an artist or a physiologist.
When he thought a witness was going to be caught, the orifice took the
form of a gothic window in a ruinous condition. When he imagined the
witness had slipped out of the trap laid for him, it stretched
horizontally, and resembled a baker's oven. He was of too coarse a
nature to suspect that his own counsel had damaged his case, and believed
the result of the trial to have been due to the plaintiff's "snivelling."
He left the Court with a melancholy downcast look, and his only chance of
happiness hereafter in this life seemed now to be in proportion to his
power of making Mr. Bumpkin miserable. Mr. Locust was not behind in his
advice on their future course; and, after joining his client in the hall,
at once pointed out the utterly absurd conclusion at which the jury had
arrived; declared that there must be friends of the plaintiff among them,
and that Mr. Ricochet would take the earliest opportunity of moving for a
new trial; a piece of information which quite lit up the coarse features
of his client, as a breath of air will bring a passing glow to the
mouldering embers of an ash-heap on a dark night.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Motion for rule nisi, in which is displayed much learning, ancient and
modern.

On the following day there was a great array of judicial talent and
judicial dignity sitting in what is called "Banco," not to be in any way
confounded with "Sancho;" the two words are totally distinct both as to
their meaning and etymology. In the centre of the Bench sat Mr. Justice
Doughty, one of the clearest heads perhaps that ever enveloped itself in
horsehair. On his right was Mr. Justice Pangloss, and on his left Mr.
Justice Technical.

Then arose from the Queen's Counsel row, Mr. Ricochet to apply for a rule
_nisi_ for a new trial in the cause of _Bumpkin_ v. _Snooks_ which was
tried yesterday before Mr. Justice Pangloss.

"Before me?" says Mr. Justice Pangloss.

"Yes, my lud," says Mr. Ricochet.

"Are you sure?" enquire