_Mr. Justice A._ (_with hesitation_). Why--I was going to say there
seems to be a sort of discontent amongst the Public--

_L.C._ (_with dignity_). Really, really--what have we to do with the
Public? But in case there should be any truth in this extraordinary
statement, I think we might as well appoint a Committee to look into
it, and then we can meet again some day and hear what it is all about.

_L.C.J._ Yes, a Committee by all means; the smaller the better. "Too
many cooks," as dear old HORACE puts it.

_M.R._ Talking of cooks, isn't it about lunch time?

[_General consensus of opinion in favour of lunching. As
they adjourn, L.C.J. detains Chancery Judges to tell them a
story about something that happened at Bodmin, and, to prevent
mistakes, tells it in West Country dialect. M.R. immediately
repeats it in strong Yorkshire, and lays the venue at
Bradford. Result; that the whole of HER MAJESTY's Courts in
London were closed for one day._

* * * * *

THE LAY OF THE LITIGANT.

(_AFTER HOOD. ALSO AFTER COLERIDGE'S (C.J.) LETTER TO THE LORD
CHANCELLOR ON THE DECAY OF LEGAL BUSINESS._)

I remember, I remember
The Law when I was born,