after swallowing the cake.

* * * * *

Mr. Montagu Williams tells a story, in his interesting _Leaves of a
Life_, of two members of the Bar, one of whom had made a large fortune
by his practice, but worked too hard to enjoy his gains, while the
other, who only made a decent living, liked to enjoy life. They met on
one occasion at the end of a long vacation, and the rich man asked his
less fortunate brother what he had been doing. "I have been on the
Continent," the other replied, "and I enjoyed my holiday very much. What
have you been doing?"--"I have been working," said the rich Q.C., "and
have not been out of town; I had lots of work to do."--"What is the use
of it?" queried the other; "you can't carry the money with you when you
die; and if you could, _it would soon melt_."

From the same work we take the following story of Serjeant Ballantine.
On one occasion he was acting in a case with a Jewish solicitor, and it
happened that one of the hostile witnesses also belonged to the same
race. Just as the serjeant was about to examine him, the solicitor
whispered in Ballantine's ear: "Ask him as your first question, if he
isn't a Jew."--"Why, but you're a Jew yourself," said the serjeant in
some surprise. "Never mind, never mind," replied the little solicitor
eagerly. "Please do--just to prejudice the jury."

* * * * *

[Illustration: JOHN ROMILLY, BARON ROMILLY, MASTER OF THE ROLLS.]

No collection of the wit and humour of the Bar would be complete without
some specimens of Sir Frank Lockwood's racy sayings. From Mr. Augustine
Birrell's _Life of Lockwood_ we quote the following:

"A tale is attached to Lockwood's first brief. It was on a petition to
the Master of the Rolls for payment out of Court of a sum of money; and
Lockwood appeared for an official liquidator of a company whose consent
had to be obtained before the Court would part with the fund. Lockwood
was instructed to consent, and his reward was to be three guineas on the
brief and one guinea for consultation. The petition came on in due
course before Lord Romilly, and was made plain to him by counsel for the
petitioner, and still a little plainer by counsel for the principal
respondent.

"Then up rose Lockwood, an imposing figure, and indicated his appearance
in the case.

"'What brings _you_ here?' said Lord Romilly, meaning, I presume, 'Why
need I listen to you?'

"Lockwood looking puz