THE LAY OF THE LITIGANT.

I remember, I remember

The Law when I was born,

The Serjeants, brothers of the coif,

The Judges dead and gone.

The Judicature Acts to them

Were utterly unknown;

It was a fearful ignorance—

Oh, would it were my own!

I remember, I remember

The worthy "Proctor" race,

The "Posteas," and the "Elegits,"

The "Actions on the Case."

The "Error" each Attorney's Clerk

Did wilfully abet,

The days of "Bills" in Equity—

Some bills are living yet!

I remember, I remember

The years of "Jarndyce" jaw,

The lively game of shuttlecock

'Twixt Equity and Law.

Tribunals then were "Courts" indeed

That are "Divisions" now,

And Silken Gowns have feared the frowns

Upon a "Baron's" brow.

We remember, we remember

The flourishing of trumps,

When Parliament took up our wrongs,

And manned the legal pumps.

Those noble Acts (they said) would end

Obstructions and delay,

And ne'er again would litigants

The piper have to pay.

I remember, I remember

Expenses, mountains high;

I used to think, when duly "taxed,"

They'd vanish by-and-by.

It was a foolish confidence,

But now 'tis little joy

To know that Law's as slow and dear

As when I was a boy!