from duty was equally smart.
The juryman in question confessed that he was deaf in one ear. "Then
leave the box before the trial begins," observed his lordship; "it is
necessary that the jurymen should hear _both_ sides."

Baron Martin was one of the good-natured judges who from the following
story seem to stretch that amiable quality to its fullest extent. In
sentencing a man convicted of a petty theft he said: "Look, I hardly
know what to do with you, but you can take six months."--"I can't take
that, my lord," said the prisoner; "it's too much. I can't take it; your
lordship sees I did not steal very much after all." The Baron indulged
in one of his characteristic chuckling laughs, and said: "Well that's
vera true; ye didn't steal _much_. Well then, ye can tak' _four_. Will
that do--four months?"--"No, my lord, but I can't take that
neither."--"Then take _three_."--"That's nearer the mark, my lord,"
replied the prisoner, "but I'd rather you'd make it _two_, if you'll be
so kind."--"Very well then, tak' two," said the judge; "and don't come
again. If you do, I'll give you--well, it'll all depend."

* * * * *

[Illustration: FREDERICK THESIGER, BARON CHELMSFORD, LORD CHANCELLOR.]

Lord Erskine's punning upon legal terms has already been noticed, but no
better quip is recorded than that of Lord Chelmsford, when as Sir
Frederick Thesiger, and a leader at the Bar, he took exception to the
irregular examination of a witness by a learned serjeant. "I have a
right," maintained the serjeant, "to deal with my witness as I
please."--"To that I offer no objection," retorted Sir Frederick. "You
may _deal_ as you like, but you shan't _lead_."

On all occasions Samuel Warren, the author of _Ten Thousand a Year_, was
given to boasting, at the Bar mess, of his intimacy with members of the
peerage. One day he was saying that, while dining lately at the Duke of
Leeds, he was surprised at finding no fish of any kind was served. "That
is easily accounted for," said Thesiger; "they had probably eaten it all
_upstairs_."

Walking down St. James's Street one day, Lord Chelmsford was accosted by
a stranger, who exclaimed, "Mr. Birch, I believe."--"If you believe
that, sir, you'll believe anything," replied his lordship as he passed
on.

* * * * *

[Illustration: SIR ALEXANDER COCKBURN, BART., LORD CHIEF JUSTICE.]

In the recently published _Cockburn Family Records_ the