ugh the business of the Court
as the mistake, "Is it Daniel Nathaniel or Nathaniel Daniel?" shows. It
is curious, however, that this weakness of misapprehending names is
described of another judge, Arabin--a strange grotesque. Theodore Hook
gives an amusing specimen in his Gilbert Gurney.

From the general description in the text, it is evident Stareleigh was
the prey of gouty affections--which swelled him into grotesque shape, and
he found himself unequal to the office. He died two years after his
retirement at No. 13, Montagu Place, Russell Square; so that the Judge in
Bardell _v._ Pickwick was living close to Perker the Attorney in the same
case. Here we seem to mix up the fictional and the living characters,
but this is the law of _Pickwick_--the confines between the two worlds
being quite confused or broken down. The late commander of our forces in
China, Sir A. Gaselee, is of this family. It should be remembered,
however, when we think of this judge's frowardness, that judges in those
times were dictatorial and carried matters with a high hand. There were
often angry conflicts between them, and members of the Bar, and
Stareleigh was really not so very tyrannical. He did what so many judges
do--took a side from the first, and had decided in his own mind that Mr.
Pickwick could not possibly have a case. That curious form of address
from the Bench is now no longer heard--"who is with you, _Brother
Buzfuz_?" Judges and sergeants were then common members of the
Guild--both wore the "coif."

THE COURT.

When the swearing of the jury is going on, how good, and how natural is
the scene with the unfortunate chemist.

'Answer to your names, gentlemen that you may be sworn,' said the
gentleman in black. 'Richard Upwitch.'

'Here,' said the greengrocer.

'Thomas Groffin.'

'Here,' said the chemist.

'Take the book, gentlemen. You shall well and truly try--'

'I beg this court's pardon,' said the chemist, who was a tall, thin,
yellow-visaged man, 'but I hope this court will excuse my
attendance.'

'On what grounds, sir?' replied Mr. Justice Stareleigh.

'I have no assistant, my Lord,' said the chemist.

'I can't help that, sir,' replied Mr. Justice Stareleigh. 'You
should hire one.'

'I can't afford it, my Lord,' rejoined the chemist.

'Then you ought to be able to afford it, sir,' said the judge,
reddening; for Mr. Justice S