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[Illustration: SERJEANT TALFOURD.]

In some cases counsel receive answers to questions which they had no
business to put, and these, if not quite to their liking, are what they
justly deserve. The following story of George Clarke, a celebrated
negro minstrel, is a case in point. On one occasion, when being examined
as a witness, he was severely interrogated by a lawyer. "You are in the
minstrel business, I believe?" inquired the lawyer. "Yes, sir," was the
reply. "Is not that rather a low calling?"--"I don't know but what it
is, sir," replied the minstrel; "but it is so much better than my
father's that I am rather proud of it." The lawyer fell into the trap.
"What was your father's calling?" he inquired. "He was a lawyer,"
replied Clarke, in a tone that sent the whole Court into a roar of
laughter as the discomfited lawyer sat down.

At the Durham Assizes an action was tried which turned out to have been
brought by one neighbour against another for a trifling matter. The
plaintiff was a deaf old lady, and after a pause the judge suggested
that the counsel should get his client to compromise it, and to ask her
what she would take to settle it. Very loudly counsel shouted out to his
client: "His lordship wants to know what you will take?" She at once
replied: "I thank his lordship kindly, and if it's no ill convenience to
him, I'll take a little _warm ale_."

A tailor sent his bill to a lawyer, and a message to ask for payment.
The lawyer bid the messenger tell his master that he was not running
away, and was very busy at the time. The messenger returned and said he
must have the money. The lawyer testily answered, "Did you tell your
master that I was not running away?"--"Yes, I did, sir; but he bade me
tell you that _he was_."

A well-known barrister at the criminal Bar, who prided himself upon his
skill in cross-examining a witness, had an odd-looking witness upon whom
to operate. "You say, sir, that the prisoner is a thief?"--"Yes,
sir--'cause why, she confessed it."--"And you also swear she did some
repairs for you subsequent to the confession?"--"I do, sir."--"Then,"
giving a knowing look at the Court, "we are to understand that you
employ dishonest people to work for you, even after their rascalities
are known?"--"Of course! How else could I get assistance from a
lawyer?"--"Stand down!" shouted the man of law.

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At Worcester Ass