“Laughter in Court.”

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 8, 24 February 1909, Page 36

“Laughter in Court.”

Mr. T. E. Crispe, K.C., after 35 years’ practice, has retired from the English Bar, and he marked the event by appearing as a lecturer at the Steinway Hall, London. The Lord Chief Justice and a number of judges and magistrates attended this novel farewell, which was really more a string of anecdotes than a lecture. Mr. Crispe called his lecture “The Wit and Oratory of Bench and Bar.” He deplored the present lack of real oratory of the old-fashioned type such as distinguished a famous breaeii of promise case many years ago, when counsel, pointing to the defendant, exclaimed dramatically: “That serpent in human form stole the heart of my virgin client while she was returning irom confirmation ! ” Air. Crispe told many excellent stories of judges past and present. “I’ve been wedded to the truth since my infancy,” said a witness who was obviousy lying. “Yes, but the question is,” snapped Air Justice Alaule, “how long have you been a widower ?” Sir Charles Jessel was notorious for dropping his h’s. An objectionable person m court turned to a Serjeant at the bar and exclaimed: “Why, Jessel drops his h’s.” “I would rather drop my h’s with Jessel in hell that aspirate with you in heaven,” retorted the sergeant.