Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 14.pdf/203

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The Green Bag.

son was overwhelmed, and he never pulled himself together again " (p. 148). "Pigott stepped jauntily into the box and Russell rose. I never saw such a sudden metamorphosis in any man. During the whole week or more he had looked pale, worn, anxious, nervous, distressed. He was impa tient, irritable, at times disagreeable. Even at luncheon, half an hour before, he seemed to be thoroughly out of sorts, and gave you the idea rather of a young junior with his first brief than of the most formidable advo cate at the bar. Now all was changed. As he stood facing Pigott, he was a picture of calmness, self-possession, strength; there was no sign of impatience or irritability; not a trace of illness, anxiety, or care; a slight tinge of colour lighted up the face, the eyes sparkled, and a pleasant smile played about the mouth. The whole bearing and manner of the man, as he proudly turned his head towards the box, showed courage, resolution, confidence. "Russell : ' Were you not aware that there were grave charges to be made against Mr. Parnell and the leading members of the Land League? ' "Pigott (positively) : ' I was not aware of it until they actually commenced.' "Russell (again with the Ulster ring) : ' What? ' "Pigott (defiantly) : ' I was not aware of it until the publication actually commenced.' "Russell (pausing, and looking straight at the witness) : ' Do you swear that? 1 "Pigott (aggressively) : ' I do.' "Russell (making a gesture with both hands, and looking towards the Bench) : ' Very good, there is no mistake about that.' "Then there was a pause; Russell placed ' his hands beneath the shelf in front of him, and drew from it some papers — Pigott, the Attorney-General, the judges, every one in

court looking intently at him the while. There was not a breath, not a movement. I think it was the most dramatic scene in the whole cross-examination, abounding as it did in dramatic scenes. Then, handing Pigott a letter, Russell said calmly : read "' itIs; that tell me yourif letter it is your ? Doletter.' not trouble to . "Pigott took the letter, and held it close to his eyes as if reading it. "Russell (sharply) : ' Do not trouble to read it.' "Russell read it paragraph by paragraph. "' What do you say to that, Mr. Pigott? ' "Pigott (bewildered) : ' I say nothing, except that I am sure I could not have had the letters in my mind when I said that, because I do not think the letters conveyed a suffi ciently serious charge to cause me to write in that way.' "Pigott equivocated. "Russell : ' What was it? ' "Pigott (helplessly; great beads of per spiration standing out on his forehead and trickling down his face) : ' I cannot tell you. I have no idea.' "Russell : ' It must have been something far more serious than the letters? ' "Pigott (vacantly): ' Far more serious.' "Russell : ' Can you give my Lords any clue of the most indirect kind to what it was? ' "Pigott (in despair) : ' I cannot ' " (pp. 135-140). The next day Pigott fled from London Russell had the eloquence of advocacy. The three examples appended here are for the purpose perfect. The first, the plea for Lady Colin Campbell is a noble sentiment. But notice in that appeal for justice, that appeal to the emotions which will overbear all judgment. The second, the vindication of Parnell, is a splendid answer. The United Kingdom rang with it : We are the accusers,