t cheap
expeditious courts for the trial of small cases--whether the court is
wrong or right is not so much matter--law is a lottery anyhow, and the
fact is, the sooner a case is decided and out of the way, the better for
both parties. I never knew myself of any man's making a fortune by going
to law, though I have heard of such things. But I suppose, Mr.
Ashburner, that you much prefer the old-fashioned English courts, with
the judges in gowns and wigs, and every thing done in the most solemn
manner. Now, to tell the truth, Mr. Ashburner, don't you think it great
nonsense for us to have one or two plain business men like me, hoisted
on to the bench to administer laws which Coke and Blackstone studied for
a lifetime, and which in your own country no one is thought fit to
administer them till he has spent years in practising, and has raised
himself up by his own labors?"

Ashburner became interested in all this, and was struck with the
intelligence of the speaker, who, notwithstanding his plainness and his
remarks about foreigners, seemed still to have the tastes and delicate
perceptions of the educated man. He asked several questions as to the
American judiciary, and informed the Judge that the works of some of the
American luminaries of the law occupied a high place in the estimation
of English lawyers, were noticed in English reviews, and quoted in
English courts. The young Englishman could see, as he said this, that
the Judge's face lit up with an expression very different from that of
either of the Bensons, and he felt pleased when he heard him say with
some exultation, "Your countrymen are not such bad fellows after all,
sir; I really believe they always do us justice, and there are no
national confessions to be made."

Ashburner was proceeding to state that in England the old feeling of
contempt had entirely disappeared, when the door opened, and a girl of
about eighteen entered. She threw a quick but calm glance around the
room, seemed a little confused at the number of gentlemen, and then,
recognizing Karl, went up to him, and shaking hands, asked after his
wife. "Mary," said the Judge, as soon as the inquiry was answered, "this
is your old friend, Mr. Harry Benson, and this is Mr. Ashburner, an
English gentleman; Mr. Ashburner, my daughter, sir."

The young lady shook hands with Harry, and bowed with more reserve to
the stranger, who contrived to hand her his chair, and place himself
quietly in the next one.