JUDICIAL WIT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4583, 27 November 1875, Page 1 (Supplement)

JUDICIAL WIT.

(From the Echo, Sydney.) The gibes and flashes of merriment by which magistrates are wont to “ set’ the table in a roar,” are usually invested with humor only from the exigencies of the occasion. Who would act so unseemly as not to laugh at a joke from the Bench ? When Mr. Nupkins, the Mayor of Ipswich, remarked that Pickwick w T as “ a very good name for the calendar”—“ this was a joke ;so Mr. Jinks, Mr. Glimmer, and all the specials went into convulsions." The town of Musselburgh, Scotland, however, is favored with a singular genial magistrate of a dry humor that it is impossible not*to appreciate ; and his fortnightly sittings are quite pleasant little reunions. On one occasion recently he was in a perfect flow of spirits, and delighted everyone except perhaps the offenders. A woman named Shiels, who is a notorious scold, being charged with annoying her neighbors, Bailie Brown inquired if her husband were alive. When answered in the affirmative, he held up his hands and ejaculated, “ Wee!, I pity him !” In imposing a small fine on another old offender, the bailie remarked apologetically, “The prisoner is ower auld for me to try admonition wi. A young man was charged with creatmg a disturbance, having urged on his behalf that had himself been “pitched out °f a Pubhchouse,” the bailie retorted, Yes, and then ot yoursel’pitched into the police-office. Week just pitch doon 7s. 6d.” A big hulking fellow was next charged with being disorderly. Arc ye a stranger, man ?” inquired the baihe. bailie,” replied the prisoner. Weel, observed the bailie, “ Ye mitch hae been better bred than stau’ there wi her hawns in yer nooches • tak’ them oot, ye lazy fellow. I his homely style of dispensing justice was it is evidently appreciated by a large and admiring audience. It must be quite refresh“to get through the Police Court duty m this way, and we recommend the baihe a example to some of om- own justices.