* *

Mr. Bethell, a barrister at the time of the Union of Ireland and Great
Britain, like many of his brethren, published a pamphlet on that
much-vexed subject. Mr. Lysaght, meeting him, said: "Bethell, you never
told me you had published a pamphlet on the Union. The one I saw
contained some of the best things I have ever seen in any of these
publications."--"I am proud you think so," rejoined the other eagerly.
"Pray what was the thing that pleased you so much?"--"Well," replied
Lysaght, "as I passed a pastry-cook's shop this morning, I saw a girl
come out with three hot mince-pies wrapped up in one of your
productions!"

"Pleasant Ned Lysaght," as his familiar friends called him, meeting a
Dublin banker one day offered himself as an assistant if there was a
vacancy in the bank's staff. "You, my dear Lysaght," said the banker;
"what position could you fill?"--"Two," was the reply. "If you made me
_cashier_ for one day, I'll become _runner_ the next."

And it was Lysaght who made a neat pun on his host's name at a dinner
party during the Munster Circuit. The gentleman, named Flatly, was in
the habit of inviting members of the Bar to his house when the Court was
held in Limerick. One evening the conversation turned upon matrimony,
and surprise was expressed that their host still remained a bachelor. He
confessed that he never had had the courage to propose to a young lady.
"Depend upon it," said Lysaght, "if you ask any girl _boldly_ she will
not refuse you, _Flatly_."

* * * * *

O'Flanagan, author of _The Lord Chancellors of Ireland_, writes of
Holmes, an Irish barrister: "He made us laugh very much one day in the
Queen's Bench. I was waiting for some case in which I was counsel, when
the crier called, 'Pluck and Diggers,' and in came James Scott, Q.C.,
very red and heated, and, throwing his bag on the table within the bar,
he said, 'My lords, I beg to assure your lordships I feel so exhausted I
am quite unable to argue this case. I have been speaking for three hours
in the Court of Exchequer, and I am quite tired; and pray excuse me, my
lords, I must get some refreshment.' The Chief Justice bowed, and said,
'Certainly, Mr. Scott.' So that gentleman left the Court. 'Mr. Holmes,
you are in this case,' said the Chief Justice; 'we'll be happy to hear
you.'--'Really, my lord, I am very tired too,' said Mr. Holmes.
'Surely,' said the Chief Justice, 'you have not been speaking fo