Black was White; which convinced me I had fallen into
error, until another had it that he who had spoken
was wrong, and White was Black! Good lack! who
shall decide when Counsel differ? and I was mightily
content that I was not on the jury, although one of
these good people did have the honour of asking a
question of His Royal Highness. And it was answered
most courteously, at which I was greatly pleased and
contented. Then did I hear the witnesses.
In a mighty dread that I might be called myself!
For that which did seem plain enough when he who was
in the box was asked by his Counsel, did appear all
wrong when another questioned him. And the Jury,
looking wise, and making notes. And it is droll
to see how civil everyone is to the Jury, who, methinks,
are no cleverer than any of us? The Lord Chief
Justice himself smiling upon them, and mighty courteous!
And met my friend, A. Briefless, Junior, who it seems,
is always in the Courts, and yet doeth no business.
And he did say that it was the strongest Bar in England.
And he did tell me how Sir Charles was eloquent, and
Sir Edward was clever at fence, and how young Master
Gill was most promising. And I noticed how one
fair Lady, who was seated on the Bench, did seem to
arrange everything. And many beauties there,
who I did gaze upon with satisfaction. To see
them in such gay attire was a pretty sight, and did
put my heart in a flutter. And I was pleased
when the Court adjourned for luncheon; and it did
divert me much to see what appetites they all had!
Some had brought sandwiches, and, how they did eat
them! But the Lord Chief Justice soon back again,
and more witnesses examined until four of the clock,
when the day was over. So home, and described
to my wife what I had seen, except the damsels.
* * * *
*
LEAVES FROM A CANDIDATE’S DIARY.
Billsbury, Sunday, May 25.—CHORKLE’S
dinner came off last night. The dinner-hour was
seven o’clock. CHORKLE’S house is
in The Grove, a sort of avenue of detached houses
shaded by trees. The Colonel himself was magnificent.
He wore a most elaborately-frilled shirt-front, with
three massive jewelled studs. His waistcoat was
beautifully embroidered in black with a kind of vine-leaf
pattern, the buttons being of silver, with the regimental
badge embossed upon them. His handkerchief was
a gorgeous one of blue silk. He wore it in his
waistcoat, carefully arranged, so as to show all round
above the opening. It looked something like the
ribbon of some Order at a distance. Mrs. CHORKLE
is rather a pleasant woman, with a manner which suggests
that she is much trampled on by her domineering husband.
How on earth she ever induced herself to marry him
I can’t make out. The chief guests were
Sir CHARLES and Lady PENFOLD. Sir CHARLES’S
father was a large Billsbury contractor, who made
no end of money, and represented Billsbury in the
House a good many years ago. He was eventually
made a Baronet for his services to the Party.
The present Sir CHARLES doesn’t take much interest
in politics, occupying himself chiefly in hunting,
&c., but they are people of great consideration in
Billsbury; in fact Lady PENFOLD is the leader of Society
in Billsbury, and not to know them is to argue yourself
unknown. Sir CHARLES himself is an Oxford man,
and we had a good deal of talk about the old place.