ndeed on one occasion he is said to have sent a message to the
Attorney-General, who had called to engage him in a case, to keep "his
d--d brief and to take himself to the d--l." But later he became very
industrious, and his natural ability soon brought him into a large and
lucrative practice. He was counsel for the Government at the trial of
John Mitchell, and at its close the wags of the Court declared that
"Judge Moore _spoke_ to the evidence, but Jonathan Henn _charged the
jury_."

* * * * *

[Illustration: HUGH CARLETON, VISCOUNT CARLETON, LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF
IRELAND.]

Chief Justice Carleton was a most lugubrious judge, and was always
complaining of something or other, but chiefly about the state of his
health, so that Curran remarked that it was strange the old judge was
_plaintive_ in every case tried before him.

One day his lordship came into Court very late, looking very woeful. He
apologised to the Bar for being obliged to adjourn the Court at once and
dismiss the jury for that day. "Though," his lordship added, "I am aware
that an important issue stands for trial. But, the fact is, gentlemen
(addressing the Bar in a low tone of voice and somewhat confidentially),
I have met with a domestic misfortune, which has altogether deranged my
nerves. Poor Lady Carleton has, most unfortunately, miscarried,
and--." "Oh, then, my lord," exclaimed Curran, "I am sure we are all
quite satisfied your lordship has done right in deciding there is no
_issue_ to try to-day." His lordship smiled a ghastly smile, and,
retiring, thanked the Bar for their sympathy.

* * * * *

Judge Foster was trying five prisoners for murder, and misunderstood the
drift of the evidence. Four of the prisoners seem to have assisted, but
a witness said as to the fifth, Denis Halligan, that it was he who gave
the fatal blow: "My lord, I saw Denis Halligan (that's in the dock
there) take a vacancy (Irish word for 'aim' at an unguarded part) at the
poor soul that's kilt, and give him a wipe with a _clehalpin_ (Irish
word for 'bludgeon'), and lay him down as quiet as a child." They were
found guilty. The judge, sentencing the first four, gave them seven
years' imprisonment. But when he came to Halligan, who really killed the
deceased, the judge said, "Denis Halligan, I have purposely reserved the
consideration of your case to the last. Your crime is doubtless of a
grievous nature, ye