Precisely so," remarked the chairman.

"Are you, Mr. Norman, in a condition to call

witnesses in support of your charge?"

"I am, sir."

"And ready?"

"Quite prepared, sir.”

"Well, then, call your first witness." Mr. Norman called Mr. Bradford.

"Do you, Mr. Bradford," inquired Mr. Norman, "know Mr. Struthers, the party at the bar of this house?"

"I do, sir, unfortunately."

"What do you mean," interposed the chairman, "by using the word 'unfortunately?' You

don't

mean to say, that Mr. Struthers is a man with whom any one need be ashamed to own acquaintance?"

"I said nothing on the subject, sir."

"You don't, then, wish it to be understood that

you mean it?"

"I would rather not express any opinion on

the point."

66

Why, you know that he is a highly respect

able man."

"I do not know that, sir.

"Do you mean to say that you

thing to the contrary?"

know any

"I do not mean to say anything one way or other."

"Mr. Struthers is a most respectable man," pursued the chairman."

"That is matter of opinion."

"Proceed, Mr. Norman, if you please, with your examination of the witness," said the chairman.

66

Well, then, you saw Mr. Struthers on the day, and at the place in question, in the company of a particular person?"

"I did."

"You have declined to assert positively,

that this person was a man of equivocal character."

The witness nodded assent.

"Have you any objection to express an

opinion as to the character of Mr. Struthers'

friend?"

"None whatever."

Then, perhaps, you will be kind enough to tell the chairman and the other gentlemen present, what you think of the party in question.'

"I think that he is a person of no character at all; and I have formed that opinion after all the information I have been able to obtain respecting him."

"Really, sir," said Mr. Struthers, starting to his feet, and addressing himself, under great seeming excitement, to the chairman; "really, sir, this matter is assuming a rather serious aspect. I cannot sit still and see the character of my friend thus outrageously and unjustly assailed. Before the prosecutor proceeds farther in his examination of the witness, I must beg permission of you, sir, and the company, to put one or two cross questions to him.”

"You will be allowed, Mr. Struthers, to put any question to the witness you please; only

you must wait until Mr. Norman has finished his examination."

"I am done," remarked Mr. Norman.

Mr. Struthers then proceeded-"You say that you have formed your very unfavourable opinion of the character of my friend, after all the information you have been able to obtain regarding it?"

"I do."

"And pray, sir, may I ask, have I ask, have you obtained, in other words, do you possess any information at all, respecting the character of my friend?" The witness hesitated.

"You must answer my question, sir," pur

sued Mr. Struthers. Again, I ask, have you obtained any information at all respecting the character of my friend? If so, state the nature of the information, and the quarter whence obtained."

The witness was still silent.

"I appeal to you, Mr. Chairman, to compel the witness to answer my question."

"You must answer Mr. Struthers' question,"

said the chairman.

The witness bowed.

"I repeat my question once more-Have you obtained any information at all respecting the character of my friend?"

"No, I have not," drawled out the witness, amidst the laughter of the company.

66

Here, Mr. Chairman and gentlemen," cried Mr. Struthers, with an air of offended dignity, "here is a pretty person to give evidence against the character of any man! I will ask him no farther questions."

And Mr. Struthers resumed his seat.

"Mr. Norman," suggested the chairman, "you brought a second charge against Mr. Struthers' friend, namely, that of being a man whose personal appearance was wanting in respectability. You have not spoken to that charge, nor brought forward any evidence in support of it. Are we, then, to consider that you have abandoned it?"