London Legal Letter. broad smooth-shaven face surmounted by a huge full-bottomed wig with long ear-tabs, he presented a somewhat comical appearance. His three associates, one of whom was Lord Salisbury, sat at small desks on either side, dressed in ordinary attire and without any distinguishing mark. A small space outside the bar was reserved for spectators, who were obliged to stand, while in the gallery were several peeresses. The Lord High Chan cellor was seated on the woolsack which as you know is a broad bench or stool covered with a thick cushion. In olden times, it was merely a sack filled with wool, and hence the name. After the case had been fully argued on both sides, a Queen's Counsel who repre sented a subordinate interest, arose very im pressively in his gown and wig and said, " My Lords " (oras he pronounced it," MeLuds"),
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"it is with regret that I find it necessary to fur ther occupy your time but, " — here the Lord Chancellor, with a twinkle in his eye, inter rupted him, " And wefully share your regret." The tipstaves were obliged to suppress the laughter which ensued, and the argument then proceeded with dreary decorum. I cannot close these somewhat desultory remarks without an allusion to the ladies who are always present in our hearts, even if absent in person. Allow me, then, to offer a toast, though it cannot be classed as literaature. You may even say it is faulty in con struction and rhythm; but little things like these do not bother us. De minimis non eurat lex. So here is the lawyer's toast : "Fee simple or a simple fee And all the fees entail Are nothing when compared to thee Thou best of fees, — female!"
LONDON LEGAL LETTER. London, Apr1l 3, 1899.
THE very evident intent of the author ities to appoint a persona gratissima to the American people on the Venezuela commission, which is shortly to begin its sessions in Paris, to fill the vacancy created by the death of the late Lord Herschell, has been carried out by the selection of the Lord Chief Justice for the position. He was so pleasantly received in the United States on the occasion of his visit to address the Amer ican Bar Association, and he has, since his return, so heartily reciprocated the feeling which prompted his welcome that his nomi nation has been received with general appro bation. But this compliment has been paid to the American people at a considerable sacrif1ce. The number of available judges, particularly on the common-law side, is so inadequate even under normal conditions, that the absence of the Lord Chief Justice
for the lengthy period which it is contem plated will be covered by the sittings of the commission, must be severely felt, particu larly as Lord Justice Collins will be taken away from the Appeal Court to serve on the commission also. Most of the judges are men long past the prime of life, and, from the nature of their habits and their daily surroundings, are peculiarly subject to the epidemic of influenza, which is now raging with severity in England. Lord Russell is not only badly needed in the Queen's Bench division, but he is one of the few available judges who can sit on the appellate bench whenever, as frequently happens, a vacancy occurs there. The law requires that three judges shall sit to hear final appeals, and as there are but the six Lord Justices for the two courts, the embarrassment occasioned by the temporary indisposition of one of these judges is very great. A bill has been
