Volume 102 — THE LAY OF THE LITIGANT.

I remember, I remember The Law when I was born, The Serjeants, brothers of the coif, The Judges dead and gone. The Judicature Acts to them Were utterly unknown; It was a fearful ignorance— Oh, would it were my own! I remember, I remember The worthy "Proctor" race, The "Posteas," and the "Elegits," The "Actions on the Case." The "Error" each Attorney's Clerk Did wilfully abet, The days of "Bills" in Equity— Some bills are living yet! I remember, I remember The years of "Jarndyce" jaw, The lively game of shuttlecock 'Twixt Equity and Law. Tribunals then were "Courts" indeed That are "Divisions" now, And Silken Gowns have feared the frowns Upon a "Baron's" brow. We remember, we remember The flourishing of trumps, When Parliament took up our wrongs, And manned the legal pumps. Those noble Acts (they said) would end Obstructions and delay, And ne'er again would litigants The piper have to pay. I remember, I remember Expenses, mountains high; I used to think, when duly "taxed," They'd vanish by-and-by. It was a foolish confidence, But now 'tis little joy To know that Law's as slow and dear As when I was a boy!