plum-trees, a damsin plum? Most assuredly no.--If so be then, that this be so, and so it most certainly is, I apprehend no doubt will remain with the court, but my client a verdict will have, with full costs of suits, in such a manner and so forth, as may nevertheless appear notwithstanding. Sir LUKE. Have you done, Mr. Serjeant? Mrs. CIRCUIT. You may proceed. Sir LUKE. Gentlemen of the jury--I am in this cause counsel for Hob--Zouns! I think the head moves. ALL. Hey! COLONEL. No, no, Mrs. Simper, jogg'd the chair with her foot, that was all. Sir LUKE. For Hercules Hobson--(I cou'd have sworn it had stir'd)--I sha'nt gentlemen upon this occasion, attempt to move your passions, by flowing periods, and rhetorical flowers, as Mr. Serjeant has done; no, gentlemen, if I get at your hearts, I will make my way thro' your heads, however thick they may be--in order to which, I will pursue the learned gentleman, thro' what he calls his probable proofs: and first, as to this tree's being cut down in the night; in part we will grant him that point, but, under favour, not a dark night, Mr. Serjeant; no, quite the reverse, we can prove that the moon shone bright, with uncommon lustre that night--So that if so be as how people did not see that was none--[Serjeant _sneezes_.] nay, Mrs. Circuit, if you break the thread of my-- Mrs. CIRCUIT. Me break!--I said nothing I'm sure. Sir LUKE. That's true, but you sneez'd. Mrs. CIRCUIT. Not I. Sir LUKE. I am sure somebody did; it could not be the head--consider the least interruption puts one out of one's--None of our faults, they might have look'd on and seen if they would. And then as to this beautiful tree, with which Mr. Serjeant has ornamented his spot--No, gentlemen, no such matter at all; I am instructed to say quite the reverse; a stunted tree, a blighted, blasted tree; a tree not only limbless, and leafless, but very near lifeless; that was the true state of the tree: and then as to its use, we own it was a plum-tree indeed, but not of the kind Mr. Serjeant sets forth, a damsin plum; our proofs say loudly a bull plum; but if so be and it had been a damsin plum, will any man go for to say, that a damsin plum is the best kind of plum; not a whit, I take upon me to say it is not a noun substantive plum--with plenty of sugar it does pretty well indeed in a tart, but to eat it by itself, will Mr. Serjeant go to compare it with the queen mother, the padrigons-- SERJEANT. [_Appearing suddenly from under the gown._] The green gages, or the orlines. Mrs. CIRCUIT. As I live 'tis my husband! SERJEANT. Nay, Sir Luke don't you run away too--give me a buss--since I was born, I never heard a finer reply; I am sorry I did not hear your argument out--but I cou'd not resist. Sir LUKE. This I own was a little surprise--had you been long here Mr. Serjeant? SERJEANT. But the instant you enter'd. Sir LUKE. So, then all is safe. [_Aside._] SERJEANT.