er very easy subjects for turning
into rhyme. But a good illustration is afforded by Mr. Justice Powis,
who had a habit of repeating the phrase, "Look, do you see," and "I
humbly conceive." At York Assize Court on one occasion he said to Mr.
Yorke, afterwards Lord Hardwicke, "Mr. Yorke, I understand you are going
to publish a poetical version of 'Coke upon Lyttelton.' Will you
favour me with a specimen?"--"Certainly, my lord," replied the
barrister, who thereupon gravely recited:

"He that holdeth his lands in fee
Need neither shake nor shiver,
I humbly conceive, for, look, do you see,
They are his and his heirs for ever."

In Sir James Burrows' reports is given a poetical version of Chief
Justice Pratt's decision with regard to a woman of English birth who was
the widow of a foreigner.

"A woman having a settlement,
Married a man with none,
The question was, he being dead,
If what she had was gone.

Quoth Sir John Pratt, 'The settlement
Suspended doth remain
Living the husband; but him dead
It doth revive again.'"

Chorus of Puisne Judges:

"Living the husband; but him dead
It doth revive again."

The Chief Justice's decision having been reversed by his successor,
Chief Justice Ryder's decision was reported:

"A woman having a settlement
Married a man with none;
He flies and leaves her destitute,
What then is to be done?

Quoth Ryder the Chief Justice,
'In spite of Sir John Pratt,
You'll send her to the parish
In which she was a brat.'

_Suspension of a settlement_
Is not to be maintained.
That which she had by birth subsists
Until another's gained."

Chorus of Puisne Judges:

"That which she had by birth subsists
Until another's gained."

* * * * *

[Illustration: EDWARD THURLOW, BARON THURLOW. LORD CHANCELLOR.]

Many of the well-known witticisms attributed to great judges are so
tinged with personality--even tending to malignity--that no one
possessing respect for human nature can read them without being tempted
to regard them as mere biographical fabrications. But such a
construction cannot be put upon the stories told of Lord Chancellor
Thurlow, whose overbearing insolence to the Bar is well known. To a few
friends like John Scott, Lord Eldon, and Lloyd Kenyon,