you will be abusing me as usual." To which Flood replied: "When
I began to abuse you, you were a briefless barrister; by abuse I made
you counsel to the revenue, by abuse I got you a silk gown, by abuse I
made you Solicitor-General, by abuse I may make you Chief Justice. No,
Scott, I'll praise you."

When Lord Clonmel was Lord Chief Justice he upheld the undignified
practice of demanding a shilling for administering an oath, and used to
be well satisfied, provided the coin was a _good one_. In his time the
Birmingham shilling was current, and he used the following extraordinary
precautions to avoid being imposed upon by taking a bad one. "You shall
true answer make to such questions as shall be demanded of you touching
this affidavit, so help you God! _Is this a good shilling?_ Are the
contents of this affidavit true? Is this your name and handwriting?"

* * * * *

The family of Henn belonging to Clare have been, generation after
generation, since the first of the name became Chief Baron in 1679,
connected with the Irish Bench and Bar. William Henn, a descendant of
the Chief Baron, was made a Judge of the King's Bench in 1767, and when
on Circuit at Wexford in 1789 two young barristers contended before him
with great zeal and pertinacity, each flatly contradicting the other as
to the law of the case; and both at each turn of the argument again and
again referred with exemplary confidence to the learned judge, as so
well knowing that what was said by him (the speaker) was right. The
judge said, "Well, gentlemen, can I settle this matter between you? You,
sir, say positively the law is one way; and you, sir (turning to the
opponent), as unequivocally say it is the other way. I wish to God,
Billy Harris (leaning over and addressing the registrar who sat beneath
him), I knew what the law really was!"--"My lord," replied Billy Harris,
rising, and turning round with great gravity and respect, "if I
possessed that knowledge, I assure your lordship that I would tell your
lordship with great pleasure!"--"Then," exclaimed the judge, "we'll save
the point, Billy Harris!"

Although more appropriate in the following chapter, we may here
introduce a story of the younger son of the Judge Henn of the previous
story. Jonathan, who was more distinguished than his elder
brother--another Judge Henn--did not attain to the Bench. In early
years he was indifferent whether briefs were given him or not, and
i