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Memoir of the Life of the Honorable William Blowers Bliss - Page 32

said to the Counsel, "Mr. —, I presume I am not bound by the amount of the penalty imposed by the magistrate?" The learned Counsel no doubt thinking he intended to reduce the amount of the fine quickly rose and said, "Oh, certainly not, my Lord." "Then," said the Judge, "I will just double the amount of the fine, and dismiss the appeal with costs to be paid by your client."

As already pointed out he was very strict in upholding the dignity of the Court. Solicitors and barristers were soon made conscious that no unseemly conduct nor questionable transactions would escape his eagle eye. He was very severe on professional misconduct, and jealous for the honour of the bar. As an instance told me by one who was present, he was holding court in one of the County towns where it came under his observation that a solicitor not bearing a very good reputation had on the Docket of Cases for trial an unusual number in which he was acting either for Plaintiff or Defendant of a very frivolous and dubious character. In his address to the jury he took occasion to administer a scathing rebuke. "If," he said, "my opinion should have any weight with the yeomanry of this County I should advise in case any of them should consider himself to have suffered wrong at the hands of another, and should determine to seek redress, that he should consult some respectable attorney," emphasizing "respectable" by a slight pause after and before the word, and significantly inclining his head as he uttered the sentence. His high shrill voice—clear as a bell— was eminently adapted to convey his meaning.

Another instance of his determination to put down any unworthy or undignified conduct occurred before the full Bench when all the Judges were present,. A leading barrister in.. the course of his argument related, no doubt as he thought, for their amusement a somewhat smutty story. The other Judges smiled, and said nothing but Judge Bliss at once addressing the Counsel said, "Mr. ——, If you dare, repeat that

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