Adventures of an Attorney in Search of Practice

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James Cockcroft, 1874 - Law - 422 pages

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Page 93 - Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt.
Page 264 - Attorney" agrees with us in both these points: "Of all witnesses in an honest cause, an intelligent child is the best; of all witnesses in any cause, a woman is the worst, unless she happens to be very pretty and engaging, for then she will answer the purpose, whatever it be, most successfully.
Page 205 - ... in the higher walks of the profession, have in many instances, established for themselves an acknowledged title to rank with the first circles; though I do not say the most fashionable, for I by no means class these among the most worthy, or the most important ; but though by this accession of better born, and therefore generally better educated men, we have improved our social position, and can now enumerate hundreds among us, who are not less gentlemen by birth, by feeling, and by manners,...
Page 72 - No man can limit himself as to the extent of costs, without cramping his exertions to a degree that may prove highly injurious to his client's interests. The casualties and accidents of litigation are so frequent, and sometimes so expensive, that they occasion more expenditure than even the whole of the proceedings that go on in the accustomed course ; and if the cause of action is not of sufficient importance to warrant costs out of the ordinary routine, if necessary, it is wiser and more honest...
Page 203 - ... be supposed to have been previously formed. It must be confessed that till within the last forty or fifty years, an attorney's title to be ranked even among the middle classes of society, was very equivocal. Mr. Latitat was the rogue of every farce-—the knave of every novel: his occupation made him adroit and intelligent, but it also made him suspected; it frequently brought him into personal contact with the dishonest and degraded, and he acquired, often undeservedly, a taint of reputation...
Page 201 - Masters, it is proved already that you are little better than false knaves : it will go near to be thought so shortly.
Page 73 - In ordinary actions to recover debts, or damages for pecuniary injury, the expense resolves itself into mere matter of arithmetical calculation; such actions, however, form by no means the staple commodity in the business of an eminent attorney. A curious instance of this accidental expenditure to a small extent, once occurred to myself. I was engaged in a cause at the assizes about fifty miles from London. It stood first in the paper for the day following my arrival. I had...
Page 89 - ... patron, or adopted out of Christian charity! How often have I known jurymen vaunt with self-complacency, of their justice, when some poor devil has obtained from this same justice, just enough to pay his surgeon's bill, after having been disabled for life by a drunken coachman, or a larking dandy; while the attorney, who has brought the action from mere compassion, has had the pleasure of hearing himself branded by counsel, as a wretch prowling about the streets for quarrels, and obtains for...
Page 79 - I've not half finished my dinner; and ten minutes more would have found me in bed, which I never leave at night, unless burnt out." But Mr. Gurney had given me my cue. A chaise and four was already at the door; poor Gubble's great coat and boots safely deposited within it, with an extra blanket, and a secon'l bottle to keep him warm.
Page 5 - Umph ! a pretty joke to let this villain rob me in this way ! I thought you would get me out of it; but you say you are not certain. I should like to ask Mr. Scarlett." Lord Abinger at that time ruled the day. I suggested the opinion of a junior counsel, as more easily attainable, and the opinion was taken. It confirmed mine, but my client was still dissatisfied ; he went to another...

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