Magistrate. Is your name John Fray?
Prisoner. It is, your honour; so the people say.
Mag. Was it you who struck this man and caused the alarm?
Pris. Sure it was, your honour; but I thought there was no harm.
Mag. Now, stop that! Did you come here to make rhymes?
Pris. No, your honour; but it will happen sometimes.
The magistrate, laughing at the fellow’s ready wit, said: ‘Go away, you rascal, get out of my sight!’
Pris. (smiling). Thank ye, your honour; an’ a very good-night.
There was once a plain out-spoken judge, who, addressing the jury, said: ‘Gentlemen of the jury, in this case the counsel on both sides are unintelligible; the witnesses on both sides are incredible; and the plaintiff and defendant are both such bad characters, that to me it is indifferent which way you give your verdict.’
It was once reported to the notorious Judge Jeffries that the Prince of Orange was on the point of entering into the country, and that he was already preparing a manifesto as to his inducements and objects in so doing. ‘Pray, my Lord Chief Justice,’ said a gentleman present, ‘what do you think will be the heads of this manifesto?’—‘Mine will be one,’ he grimly replied.