Punch: Punch (70.1876)

Mat 20, 1876.] PUNCH, OB, THE LONDON CHARIVAEL 201

A PUZZLE.

Scene—Village Inn, Hampshire.

Languid Swell. " 'Sthawa Wifl'caw heaw ? "
Barmaid. "'Beg Pard'n, Sir!"
Swell. " 'Sthawa Wifl'caw heaw ? "
Barmaid. " Don't understand French, Sir ! "
Swell. "Haw !" {Exit.)
{He is supposed to have meant, "Is there a Biele Corps here?")

A MEDICAL PARTNER.

Speaking in the Theatre of the University'of London
the other day, that of the presentation of diplomas and
medals to successful candidates, Lord Granville, the
Chancellor, took occasion to advocate the admission of
women to medical degrees. Mr. Lowe followed on the
same side of a question on which it is disgraceful to the
members of a liberal profession that there are two sides.
Not so much because this is owing to a mean Trades-
unionism, but rather in that, if, as the Unionists allege,
women are naturally unfitted for the practice of medi-
cine, the fear of competition with them is grossly stupid.
It was well remarked by Mr. Lowe that '' Woman was
never more in her place than by the sick bed." If she
were duly qualified to occupy that place, she would not
only be exempt from the necessity of marrying to sub-
sist, but would be in possession of knowledge which, in
the event of her marriage from choice, would especially
befit her for the part of a wife and a mother. It would
also materially help to render her an unmixed blessing,
by preventing her from being, in one particular, a heavy
burden to her husband. A woman who knows how to
take her place by the sick bed, knows how to keep her-
self out of it. Even if she have no patients, therefore,
a medical woman is in a condition to avoid becoming a
patient herself. She also knows better than to let her
daughters injure their health by tight lacing, late danc-
ing, and other unwholesome follies. If she herself fetch
her partner no fees, she at least saves him doctors' bills,
and undertakers' also, besides continual alarm and
anxiety. The girl who has well earned a doctor's de-
gree, is one whom a young man, even in these sumptuous
times, could almost venture to think of marrying on two
or three thousand a year.

Moral Freedom in Spain.

The question of liberty of conscience has lately been a
good deal discussed in the Spanish Cortes. In Spain
there appears to be quite a national feeling in favour of
an unbounded liberty of conscience. This, however, is
something other than freedom of theological opinion.
The liberty of conscience prized by true Spaniards is
the exemption of the national conscience from all such
trammels as pecuniary obligations of the nature of
Bonds.

more honours!

A well-known Tobacconist has decided upon calling
a very fine class of Tobacco he has in stock, "Prince's
Returns." How gratified His Royal Highness will be!

LAW UNDER THE REJECTED ACT.

" He could not avoid always seeing his children in his brief."—Speech of
the Attorney-General upon the Barristers and Advocates Fees Bill.

Jones versus Snooks.—June ISth, 187— P

This, the first case held under Mr. Norwood's recently-passed
Act, was chiefly remarkable for the conduct of the Counsel engaged
in the trial.

The Plaintiff was represented by Messrs. Coke, O.C., and Black-
stone. Mr. Serjeant Doe and Mr. Richard Roe appeared for the
Defendant.

Mr. Coke,_Q,.C. (who was evidently suffering from violent emotion)
said that this was a matter of the last importance. If possible, he
would give an account of the facts of the case. He really must
implore the indulgence of the Court.

His Lordship. ReaUy, you seem to be very unwell.

Mr. Coke, Q.C. {bursting into tears). I am, my Lord—indeed I
am. I feel that should I make one false step, should I be guilty of
the least indiscretion, my Client may recover damages against me.
and then my dear children—my poor little ones—oh, it is too painful!
I must retire. I throw up my brief, and retire. {Sensation.)
g Mr. Coke, Q.C, then left the Court. _

\ His Lordship. This is really excessively painful. Mr. Black-
stone, will you kindly continue your leader's argument ?

Mr. Blackstone. Oh, my Lord, would that I could! But no!
although I am but a Junior (I have been called a promising Junior)
of some three-and-fifty summers, I too have a heart. It has been
my boast for thirty years to support an aged grandmother. {Sensa-
tion.) This secret I have kept until now, and only now do I reveal

it to a heartless world. {Cries in Court of " No, no ! ") _ I repeat a
heartless world, to account for conduct that otherwise might appear
strange and unnatural. Yes, my Lord, in my brief I trace the
features of my granddam's mournful face. If I misconduct the case,
her hairs, already as white as snow, will sink in obscurity to a
pauper's grave. {Murmurs.) I cannot bear the picture. I love
my grandmother. I repudiate my brief, and I retire. {Profound
sensation.)
Mr. Blackstone then left the Court.

His Lordship. Brother Doe, I think you are for the other side ?

Mr. Serjeant Doe {gloomily). I was, my Lord, until now. But
now I retire. In my brief I see a young Bride's face (my own dear
Wife's) praying me to withdraw. The responsibility is too great.
I must throw up my brief, and leave the matter in the hands of my
learned friend, Mr. Richard Roe, who is with me in this case.

Mr. Serjeant Doe then left the Court.

His Lordship. We are all attention, Mr. Roe.

Mr. Roe. My Lord, I wish to make a short statement. Since the
passing of the new Act my nerves have become terribly agitated.
In every brief I see the grim faces of my ancestors, telling me to
" beware! " I feel so excessively nervous, that I do not feel I can
do justice to my Client's case. At this moment, I confess, I feel
strongly inclined to plead " guilty" on his behalf, and——

At this point, the Solicitors for the Defendant interfered, and
Mr. Roe abruptly left the Court.

The case was then adjourned to secure (if possible) the services of
fresh Counsel.

(Miss) Thompson's Season.—The Balaklava Charge—One Shilling.