mplied with the order, but shouted
out to the old man: "Wal, this is the fust time I ever saw
three Jacks of Spades in one pack."

The Court sat till six o'clock and often far into the evening,
and began at half-past eight or nine. So there was no chance
for the country lawyers to go home at night. There was great
fun at these old taverns in the evening and at meal times.
They insisted generally, like Mrs. Battles in whist, on the
rigor of the game, and the lawyer had to look sharp after
his pleadings or he found himself tripped up. The parties
could not be witnesses, nor could any person interested in
the result of the trial. So many a good case, and many a
good defence failed for want of the legal evidence to make
it out. But the whole Bar and the public seemed to take an
interest in important trials. People came in from the country
round with their covered wagons, simply for the pleasure of
attending Court and seeing the champions contend with each
other. The lawyers who were not engaged in the case were
always ready to help those who were with advice and suggestion.
It used to be expected that members of the Bar would be in
the court-house hearing the trials even if they were not engaged
in them. That was always an excuse for being absent from
the office, and their clients sought them at the court-house
for consultation. I cannot but think that the listening to
the trial and argument of causes by skilful advocates was
a better law school than any we have now, and that our young
men, especially in the large cities, fail to become good advocates
and to learn the art of putting in a case, and of examining
and cross-examining witnesses, for want of a constant and
faithful attendance on the courts.

In those old times, our old lawyers, if Charles Lamb had
known them and should paint them, would make a set of portraits
as interesting as his old Benchers of the Inner Temple. Old
Calvin Willard, many years sheriff of Worcester, would have
delighted Elia. He did not keep the wig or the queue or the
small-clothes of our great-grandfathers, but he had their
formal and ceremonial manners in perfection. It was like
a great State ceremonial to meet him and shake hands with
him. He paused for a moment, surveyed you carefully to be
sure of the person, took a little time for reflection to be
sure there was nothing in the act to compromise his dignity,
and then slowly held out his hand. But the grasp was a warm