Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 11.pdf/71

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52
The Green Bag.

was once practicing before Lord Campbell, who was somewhat pedantic. In addressing the jury, Mr. Hawkins, in referring to a brougham, pronounced the word with two syllables, — " bro'-am." " Excuse me," said his lordship, blandly, " but I think that if instead of saying ' brough-am ' you were to say ' broom ' you would be more intelligible to the jury, and, moreover, you would save a syllable." " I am much obliged to your lordship," quietly replied Mr. Hawkins, and proceeded to bring his address to a close. Presently the judge, in summing up, made use of the word " omnibus." Instantly up rose Mr. Hawkins, and exclaimed, " Pardon me, m' h1d, but I would take the liberty of suggesting that instead of saying ' omnibus ' your lordship should say ' 'bus,' you would then be more intelligible to the jury, and, besides, you would save two syllables." During the Tichborne trial, where he was opposed by Dr. Kenealy, in the course of a discussion whether equivalent terms could be found in English for French words, and viee versa, Mr. Hawkins was asked whether he thought the word eanaille could be adequately rendered in our language. He answered, without a moment's hesitation, "Yes — ' Kenealy.'" During the hearing of the Tranby Croft baccarat case, much' comment was caused by the manner in which Lord Coleridge allowed the bench to be occupied by lady spectators. Shortly after this case, Mr. Justice Hawkins had to hear a libel action arising out of some criticisms a member of the London County Council had passed upon the moral character of some mario nettes which were then being exhibited at the Westminster Aquarium. The marionettes — two male dolls and a female figure — were produced in court. "Where shall we put these figures?" asked counsel. "I suppose the lady," said'Sir Henry, maliciously, " ought to be accommodated with a seat on the bench."

Mr. Justice Hawkins once had to sentence an old swindler, and gave him seven years. "Oh, my lord! " whined the man, " I'll never live half the time! " The judge took another look at him and answered, " I don't think it is at all desirable that you should." On another occasion the usual forma! ity was gone through of asking a prisoner who had been found guilty if he had anything to say. Striking a theatrical posture, and with his right hand in the air, the man exclaimed : "May the Almighty strike me dead if I don't speak the truth, — I am innocent of this crime!" Judge Hawkins said nothing for about a minute. Then, after glancing at the clock, he observed, in his most impres sive tones: "Since the Almighty has not thought fit to intervene, I will now proceed to pass sentence." Until his death, Jack, a fox terrier, was Sir Henry's inseparable companion and friend. He was a present from the late Lord Falmouth. Many a good story is told of Jack and his master. Once, in a crowded assize court, Jack was sitting at the judge's feet when a barrister commenced to cross-examine a witness in a loud and angry tone of voice. Jack took offense anil barked lustily. " Dear me, dear me! pray let us have quiet! " said Sir Henry. " I wish gentlemen wouldn't bring dogs into court!" The caustic remarks of his lordship have not always been confined to the bench. At the opening of an assize, the chaplain preached what he conceived to be a dis tinctly good sermon, and he had the temer ity to sound Mr. Justice Hawkins on the subject. " Did you approve of my sermon, my lord?" he asked. " I remarked in your sermon, Mr. Chaplain," was the prompt reply, " two things which, to be candid, I did not approve of, and which I have, I am glad to say, never remarked on a similar occasion." " They were, my lord?" was the anxious question of the preacher. " The striking of the clock," answered Mr. Justice Hawkins, " twice, sir."