CASUISTRY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 26, 23 October 1885, Page 9

CASUISTRY.

Writing on this subject tne St. Janiets Gazette 8-*ys : —

CasuisTy h-is a ba 1 name fr >m hawn^ often been turned to knavish puri.os s; and yet the study of th' ensi-law of conscience, pursued in a light ♦pint, mit:ht appear to be as reasonable a prophylactic against fanaticism as any octi t t'jat could be devised. 'Unfortunately the wisest of gunks can do little more than lay down general principles ; ai.d doctors in ithic d ffer almost as widely as their colleagues in m dicme. LtsteJ to Wnately's treatment of the delicate qu< s ion as to whether deceit is ever permissible. ''It is quite allowable." he observes., " fur a general to deceive the enemy by stratagems (socalled from that vt rj circumstance), because where no confidence is reposed none cm be vi lated. And, fig-un, it is a kind of war that is earned on b 'tween policemen and thieves. In dealing with maim^n, again, there i* no m >re fraud in deceiving than in angling for tr ut witn an artificial fly, because you are not really dealing with fellow-w^/i. Bit with thi exception of such cases feigning cannot be justifi-d.' Th a was not exactly the mind of Johnson, who allowed a considerable latitude of statemeut to barristers. " But, sir," *«k a B )iw, 11, " does not affecting a warmth when you hive no warmth, and appp-inng to be clearly of one opinion when you are in reality ot another opinion — does not such dissimulatinn impair one's hone-ty? Is there not some danger that a lawyer may put on the same tna-sk m common life, in the intercourse with bis fnenis?" Joans >n: " tiy, no, sir. E very bo .y knows you are paid for afire ting warmth for your client, and it is therefore properly no dissimulation Tne moment you come from the bar you resume your usual behavi >ur. Sir, a man will no more carry the artifice ot the bar into tie c unmon intercourse of society than a man who is paid for tumbling upon his hands will continue to tumble upon his hands wlun he nhoul I walk upon his feet." One would like to know how such a new of the matter would have commended itseJf lO Mr. Ju-tice Lawrence, famed at once " for his courtesy and cjnsctenti .usuess '' — qualities by no m' ans invariably fouud in association. Lawrence by a codicil to his will directed the costs of an action to toe paid to a cert. in litigant who had been defeated in an action tried before nun ; on which occasion the judge considered that he had decide! wrongly.

A good story is told of a French advocate who had made it a rule never to take up a case in which he did not thoroughly believe. One day he chancd to be ent naming a distinguished company at dinner, when b^ was informed that a en nt urgently requested a few minutes' interview. It tumid <utto be a man whope acquittal on the charge of stealing a wa'co he had that morning procured. Appearances had been strongly against the prisoner, who, \K was thought had been not a little assisted ny the chaiac tr ot his counsel. Doubtless the poor fellow was lmpitieut to express his gratitude; and an audience was not unwillingly accorded. He looked somewhat abashed at the presence of the gu>sts ; but, reassured by the kindly tone of the host, began . " Monsieur, it is about that watch. 1 ' " Yeß, my friend, I congratulate you on the triumphant vindication of youi innocence." " i hen the trial is quite ever? 1 " Why, of course." "And I can't be tried again?" " Certainly not." •■ They can do nothing more to me? " " How could tuey ? " " Then I may wear the watch f "

Dr. Mossman, famous for his connection with the Tractarian movement, died rt t Torrngton, England, on July 6th. Bef re his death he was received inio the Chmch, and d parted this life holding a crucifix iv his hands and invoking the names of Jesus and Mary. — MitiiUr.