SCENE—A Room at the Royal Courts. Lord CHANCELLOR, Lord CHIEF JUSTICE, MASTER of the ROLLS, Lords Justices, Justices.
L.C. Well, I'm very glad to see you all looking so well, but can anyone tell me why we've met at all?
L.C.J. Talking of meetings, do you remember that Exeter story dear old JACK TOMPKINS used to tell on the Western Circuit?
[Proceeds to tell JACK TOMPKINS's story at great length to great interest of Chancery Judges.
M.R. (who has listened with marked impatience). Why, my dear fellow, it isn't a Western Circuit story at all. It was on the Northern Circuit at Appleby.
[Proceeds to tell the same story all over again, substituting Appleby for Exeter. At the conclusion of story, Great laughter from Chancery Judges. Common Law Judges look bored, having all told same story on and about their own Circuits.
L.C. Very good—very good—used to tell it myself on the South Wales Circuit—but what have we met for?
Lord Justice A. I say, what do you think about this cross-examination fuss? It seems to me—
L.C.J. Talking of cross-examination—do you fellows remember the excellent story dear old JOHNNIE BROWBEAT used to tell about the Launceston election petition?