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Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8678, 2 October 1913, Page 5

The familiar phrase "as sober as a judge" was used in a London Court the'other Aveek, and; Mr Justice Darling remarked that a century previously, when the comparison first became current, the judges really were'"the' only sober peoplp in the country." But it docs not: appear that Scottish judges were remarkable for their sobriety even at that time—the early part of the nineteenth century—whateA Ter may be said about their English brethren" Andrew Lang mentions a famous Scottish judge who "was once compelled to abstain from alcohol for six weeks." "He then discovered," the story runs, " that for 30 years of a learned and respected and valuable career he had never been for one hour really sober. He had his 'morning' when he rose; his 'twelve hours at noon. On the bench he and the other judges solemnly and dutifully absorbed their bottle—say, a bottle and a Scots pint of port. Then he dined and sat over the claret till he titubated to bed. Then he rose, had no tub, and had his morning glass of whisky or brandy and so on." In those days every gentleman worthy of the name was expected to be able to dispose of a bottle and a half of port with ease and dignity.