The Clergyman and the Lawyer — 325
The following incident is of recent date, and the witness was a clergyman. Scene, a crowded court: trial, an action on the warranty of a horse, commonly called a horse cause. Witness, a clergyman, who was sworn in his examination-in-chief that in his opinion the horse was sound.—Counsel: Well, you don’t know anything about horses. You’re a parson, you know.—Witness: I have a good deal of knowledge respecting horses.—Counsel: You think you have, I dare say, but we may think otherwise. I wonder, now, whether you know the difference between a horse and a cow.—Witness: Yes, I dare say I do.—Counsel: Now, then, tell the jury the difference between a horse and a cow.—Witness: Gentlemen, one great difference between these two animals is, that the one has horns and the other has not; much the same difference, gentlemen, that exists between a bull and a bully (turning to counsel). (Roars of laughter, Judge joining.)—Counsel (very angrily): I dare say you thought that very funny, sir?—Witness: Well, I don’t think it was bad, and several of the audience seem to be of the same opinion.