A Tonehy Chief Justice.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 69

A Tonehy Chief Justice.

A few years ago Lord Russell was at Shrewsbury on 'circuit. The Assizes concluded on Saturday, and the Lord Chief Justice, who had brought a horse with him, decided upon riding to Church Stretton, noted in those parts for its big private lunatic asylum, and tlience proceeding to Hereford, the nex6 assize town. •He stopped; however, at a hamlet outside Slrelton, and, dismounting at the door of the only inn. told the landlord to attend to his horse. The landlord's method of performing -his task did not please his Lordship, who spoke his mind freely to him. Having entered the house, Lord Russell brusquely, as was his wont, asked the host what he could have to eat.

"Some bread and cheese," was the reply,

"I se3 some ham on that sideboard ; let me have some, and some bread," said his Lordship. "Indeed I won't," replied the landlord ; "it is for supper, and you binna goin' to 'aye it."

"'Do you know who I am?" thundered the ludge. "I am the "Lord Chief Justice of England." 11l the course of this conversation the landlord kept cautiously ' by the door. Immediately on Lord Russell announcing himself as Lord Chief Justice, he bolted out of the room, locked the door, and rushed breathless into

the police station at Church -Stretton, telling-, the police that a patient had escaped from the^ asylum and was in a dangerous condition at» his house. The police went to the inn ; thej superintendent cautiously opened the dooiv and was horrified to find that the supposed! lunatic was really Lord .Russell. Profuse and; profound apologies followed, but the Lord Chief Justice rode away in great indignation. I may add that I had the facts from the polir.t superintendent in question.