THE HANGING JUDGE.

Evening Post, Volume XLVI, Issue 132, 2 December 1893, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE HANGING JUDGE.

Lord Norbury, who was Lord Chief Justice of Ireland in the early years of the century, had the reputation of being " a hanging judge." Dining once in the company of Ourran, he. said: — "That beef appears tough. Has it been hung ? " "No, my lord," was the reply, " you have not tried it." During the conduot of a case, Harry Grady was annoyed by some remarks of the Chief Justice, and toojfc his revenge thus—

"The incident which has just occurred reminds me, my lord, of a judge I once heard of, who was never known to weep but once, and that was in a theatre." "Deep tragedy, I suppose, Mr. Grady?" '• No, indeed, my lord. It was at the ' Beggars' Opera,' when Macheath was reprieved ! " The insinuation told, for everybody felt that Norbury was the man. Once travelling with John Parsons they passed a gibbet — not an infrequent sight in those days when rebels were hung by the score. " Parsons," said Norbury, with a chuckle, pointing to the gibbet, " where would you be now if every man had his due ?" " Alone in my carriage," was Parsons' significant reply.