of avoiding the Chief Justice, the scion of nobility
boldly said, "I have recently married, and have come here to enable me
to present my bride at the Drawing-Room."--"Quite right to mind the
Scripture. Better marry than burn," retorted Lord Norbury.
A barrister once pressed him to non-suit the plaintiff in a case; but
his lordship decided to let it go to a jury trial. "I do believe," said
the disappointed advocate, "your lordship has not the _courage to
non-suit_."--"You say, sir," replied the irate judge, "you don't believe
I'd have the courage to non-suit. I tell you I have courage to _shoot_
and to _non-shoot_, but I'll not non-suit for you." This same counsel
was once horsewhipped by an army officer at Nelson's Pillar in Sackville
Street, and applied for a Criminal Information against his assailant.
"Certainly he shall have it," said the witty judge. "The Court is bound
to give protection to any one who has _bled under the gallant Nelson_."
On a motion before this judge, a sheriff's officer, who had the
hardihood to serve a process in Connemara, where the king's writ _did
not run_, swore that the natives made him eat and swallow both copy and
original. Norbury, affecting great disgust, exclaimed: "Jackson,
Jackson, I hope it's not made returnable into this Court."
While giving a judgment on a writ of right, Lord Norbury observed that
it was not sufficient for a demandant to say he "claimed by descent."
"Such an answer," he continued, "would be a shrewd one for a sweep, who
got into your house by coming down the chimney; and it would be an easy,
as well as a sweeping, way of getting in."
His lordship was attacked by a fit of gout when on Circuit, and sent to
the Solicitor-General requesting the loan of a pair of large slippers.
"Take them," said the Solicitor to the servant, "with my respects, and I
hope soon to be in his lordship's shoes."
At the instigation of O'Connell, Lord Norbury was finally removed from
the Bench. A flagrant case of partiality was brought to Lord Brougham's
notice which exasperated Lord Norbury, and he is reported to have said,
"I'll resign to demand satisfaction. That Scottish Broom wants to be
made acquainted with an Irish stick."
* * * * *
Two notorious highwaymen were charged before Chief Baron O'Grady with
robbery, and to the surprise of all the jury returned a verdict of not
guilty. "Mr. Murphy," said the judge to the gaoler, "you will greatly
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