Then entered the Chief
Justice, Sir Charles Abbot, with more of dignity in his carriage than
either of the preceding, and a countenance finely expressive of serenity
and comprehensive faculties: his welcome was of a more general, and, I
may add, genial nature; for his judicial virtues have much endeared him
to the profession and the public. But the universal acknowledgment of
the bar, the jury, and the reporters for the public press, who generally
occupy the students' box, was reserved for Mr. Justice Bayley; upon
whose entrance, all in court appeared to rise with one accord to pay a
tribute of respect to this very distinguished, just, and learned man.
All this might have been accidental, you will say; but it was in such
strict accordance with my own feelings and popular opinion besides,
that, however invidious it may appear, I cannot resist the placing it
upon record. To return to the Chief Justice: he is considered a man of
strong and piercing intellect, penetrating at once to the bottom of
a cause, when others, even the counsel, are very often only upon the
surface; his intuition in this respect is proverbial, and hence much of
the valuable time of the court is saved upon preliminary or immaterial
points. Added to which, he is an excellent lawyer, shrewd, clear, and
forcible in his delivery, very firm in his judgments, and mild in
his ~358~~language; with a patient command of temper, and continued
appearance of good-humour, that adds much to his dignity, and increases
public veneration.
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