Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, December 12, 1891Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, December 12, 1891
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
When the plaintiff's Junior Counsel had opened the pleadings, FIGTREE
actually got up, and, had not his own Junior pulled him down, he would
then and there have opened the case for the plaintiff. Yet FIGTREE's
cross-examination of that same plaintiff, travelling as it did over
a long period of time, and dealing with a most complicated story, in
which dates were of the first importance, is still cited by those who
heard it as the most remarkable display of its kind which the English
Courts have afforded for years past. Whether the unfortunate BAGWELL,
whom it showed conclusively to be a swindler and an impostor, has an
equal admiration for it, I know not, nor is he, I fancy, likely to
tell us, even when he returns from the prison which is now the scene
of his labours. How FIGTREE, who at the outset did not even know on
which side he appeared, managed in the time at his command to master
this intricate case, must ever remain a mystery. HARRY ADDLESTONE,
his Junior, is accustomed to talk darkly of a marvellous chronological
analysis of the case which he had prepared for his leader, and
evidently wishes me to believe that he, rather than FIGTREE, is to be
credited with the success achieved. But the Solicitors have not yet
withdrawn their confidence from FIGTREE to transfer it to ADDLESTONE.
Here, then, is an instance of a perfectly indolent man rising higher
and higher every year on the ladder of professional advancement. I
can only attribute it, my dear LAZINESS, to your beneficent influence,
which preserves the great barrister from the weary labours to which
his rivals daily submit. They say of him that he knows nothing of
law. If I grant that, it merely proves that a knowledge of law is not
required for success in the profession of the law. The deduction is
dangerous, but obvious, and I recommend it warmly to all who are about
to be called to the Bar.
I don't think I have anything more to say to you to-day; indeed, I
know that you would be the last to desire that the writing of this
letter should he in any way irksome to me. Besides, it is five o'clock
P.M. My arm-chair invites me. I feel tired, and, that being so, I
am convinced it would he an act of pedantic folly to deny myself the
sweet refreshment of half-an-hour's sleep. Farewell, kindly one. I
shall always rejoice to honour you, and celebrate your praise.
Yours, with all goodwill, DIOGENES ROBINSON.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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