Page:The Art of Cross-Examination.djvu/137

 , a member of the Philadelphia Bar, has condensed his experiences into eighteen paragraphs which he has entitled, "Golden Rules for the Examination of Witnesses."

Although I am of the opinion that it is impossible to embody in any set of rules the art of examination of witnesses, yet the Golden Rules of Brown contain so many useful and valuable suggestions concerning the art, that it is well to reprint them here for the benefit of the student.

First, as to your own witnesses.

I. If they are bold, and may injure your cause by pertness or forwardness, observe a gravity and ceremony of manner toward them which may be calculated to repress their assurance.

II. If they are alarmed or diffident, and their thoughts are evidently scattered, commence your examination with matters of a familiar character, remotely connected with the subject of their alarm, or the matter in issue; as,