Be quiet Sir—
You have broken the spell—the jury are beginning to laugh—
Leave the jury to me—what I have to say Sir, may provoke a smile, but if I do not much mistake, a smile for the advantage of poor Martha. We have been too serious ... we may do better by showing that we have no fear—if the lawgivers of that country are what I say they are—if the judges are what I say they are, and what I shall prove them to be—and if the people of that country are what I am afraid they are, under such law—why should we bow to its authority?
Pho—pho—pho.... You are all at sea now.
Well Judges ... I enquired when there would be a trial to prove the truth of what I had been told, and whither I should go in search of a Temple of Justice, where I might see for myself how human life was regarded by the brave and the free. I found such a temple, and for the price of another dinner, was carried up into a gallery and put behind a huge pile of masonry, which as it stood for a pillar and happened to be neither perforated nor transparent, gave me but a dreary prospect for my money.... Do not smile—do not, I beseech you—I never was more serious in my life.... At last I heard a man called up, heard I say, for I could not see him, called up and charged with I know not what fearful crime—I caught my breath—are you ready Sir?...
Almost ... almost—fire away—writing as fast as he could make the pen fly over the paper ... fire away for a few minutes more....
I caught my breath ... I trembled with anxiety.... Now said I to myself, (To the lawyer; I am afraid I shall drop.)
No no, don’t drop yet ... fire away!
Now, said I to myself, I shall see one of the most awful and affecting sights in the world. Now shall I see the great humanity of the law ... the law of this proud nation illustrated ... the very judges becoming of counsel for the prisoner ... and the whole affair carried through with unspeakable solemnity. I addressed myself to a man who stood near me with a badge of authority in his hand ... the very key wherewith he admitted people at so much a head, to see the performance. Pray, Sir, said I, what is that poor fellow charged with? He didn’t know, not he, some case of murder though, he thought, (offering me a pinch of snuff as he spoke) or of highway-robbery, or something of the sort ... he would enquire with great pleasure and let me know. The case opened. A speech was made by a prosecutor for the crown, a ready and a powerful speaker. The charge a capital one. The accused ... a poor emaciated miserable creature, was on trial for having had in possession, property which had been stolen out of a dwelling-house in the dead of night. Well, prisoner at the bar, what have you to say for yourself? said the judge with a stern look, after the case had been gone through with by the prosecutor. Now is your time ... speak, said the judge. I have nothing to say for myself, said the poor prisoner; nothing more than what I have said four or five times already. Have you no witnesses? No my lord——
Soh soh, Mr. Burroughs! We understand your parable now, cried one of the judges with a look of dismay. We all know what country that is where a judge is a lord ... have a care Sir; have a care.... Be wary ... you may rue this if you are not.