The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--The Court, sir, have already solemnly decided, as you know, on the objections raised by the Dean of Faculty, that in law the objections to these witnesses should be repelled, and they were repelled accordingly; therefore you should have nothing more to say to us on that point. The DEAN OF FACULTY--If it will satisfy Mr. Clerk, I can assure him that I will plead on this point to the jury, waiving all objections to the admissibility, which it may be rather irregular to plead after the decision of the Court. The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--Dean of Faculty, I know you will attempt nothing that is improper. Mr. CLERK--But, my Lords, the jury are to judge of the law as well as the facts.[23] The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--Sir, I tell you that the jury have nothing to do with, the law, but to take it _simpliciter_ from me. Mr. CLERK--That I deny. [Consternation in Court.] Lord HAILES--Sir, will you deny the authority of this High Court? Mr. CLERK--Gentlemen of the jury, notwithstanding of this interruption, I beg to tell you, with all confidence and all respect, that you are the judges of the law as well as the facts. You are the judges of the whole case. The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--You are talking nonsense, sir. Mr. CLERK--My Lord, you had better not snub me in this way. I never mean to speak nonsense. The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--Proceed--gang on, sir. Mr. CLERK--Gentlemen, I was telling you that this infernal witness was convicted of felony in England, and how dare he come here to be received as a witness in this case? The LORD ADVOCATE--He has, as I have shown you, received His Majesty’s free pardon. Mr. CLERK--Yes, I see; but, gentlemen of the jury, I ask you, on your oaths, can His Majesty make a tainted scoundrel an honest man? [Great applause in Court.] The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--Macers, clear the Court if there is any more unruly din. The LORD ADVOCATE [interposing and addressing Mr. Clerk]--Sir, permit me to say, after this interruption, that the prerogative of mercy is the brightest jewel in His Majesty’s Crown. Mr. CLERK--I hope His Majesty’s Crown will never be contaminated by any villains around it. [Sensation in Court.] The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK [to the Lord Advocate]--Do you want his words noted down? The LORD ADVOCATE--Oh no, my Lord, not exactly yet. My young friend will soon cool in his effervescence for his client. The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK [to Mr. Clerk]--Go on, young man. Mr. CLERK--Gentlemen of the jury, I was just saying to you, when this outbreak on the bench occurred, that you were the judges of the law and of the facts in this case. The LORD JUSTICE-CLERK--We cannot tolerate this, sir. It is an indignity to this High Court--a very gross indignity, deserving of the severest reprobation.