In 1915 Arthur Harold Engelbach (1862-1943) published a sequel to his 1913 book of humorous stories about lawyers and judges. The anecdotes in the second volume are as entertaining and memorable as the first. Take for example this story about Lord Eldon:
"John Clerk, afterwards Lord Eldon, when at the Bar, was remarkable for the sang-froid with which he treated the judges. On one occasion a junior counsel, on hearing their lordships give judgment against his client, exclaimed that he was 'surprised at such a decision.' This was construed into a contempt of court, and he was ordered to attend at the Bar on the following morning. Fearful of the consequences, he consulted his friend, John Clerk, who told him not to worry, and he would apologise for him in a way that would avert any unpleasant result. Accordingly, when the name of the delinquent was called, John Clerk arose and coolly addressed the Bench: 'I am sorry, my lords, that my young friend should have so far forgotten himself as to treat your honourable bench with disrespect. He is extremely penitent, and you will kindly ascribe his unintentional insult to his ignorance. You must perceive at once that it originated in that. He said that he was surprised at the decision of your lordships. Now, if he had not been very ignorant of what takes place in this court every day, had he known your lordships half as long as I have done, he would not be surprised at anything your lordships did.'"
View Article