Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 06.pdf/165

 142

THE LEGEND OF SAINT YVES, THE LAWYERS' PATRON SAINT. Translated from the French, by F. Longueville Snow. IT was on the 19th May, 1303, that the "batonnier" of one of the legal societies of Brittany assembled its members and thus addressed them : " My brethren, every guild, has its patron in the world above, and its history stored away in the celestial archives. Surely our brotherhood is as worthy as the fashioners of garments, joiners of wood and bakers of bread, and yet it has no saint to look after its interests in the heavenly king dom; all of which gives a chance to those with evil tongues to say that never has one of us been found worthy of entering Paradise. Now, what I propose is this : that we send an ambassador to God with the view of getting him to grant us a patron. I cannot but believe there may be among His Elect some lawyer of condition who, during his terrestrial life, kept aloof from shady actions at law. If my views meet with your appro val, I suggest that we select from our society one qualified by his eloquence and keen logic, and who, while being a fine speaker, is not too much of a 'talker.' His virtues must be such as to render him acceptable to God, the Virgin Mary, and all the celestial court." Having this spoken, the aged bdtonnier took his seat. The lawyers present all signified their assent in the manner peculiar to those times, by discreetly raising the bonnet with the right hand. "Since we are agreed," continued the speaker, "we must set about to choose a worthy and capable ambassador. For my own part 1 feel that my gout would prevent me from undertaking such a long voyage; instead, I would propose Monsieur Yves de Kermartin, who is an able and honorable gentleman." This proposal was unanimously ratified, and the lawyers dispersed after embracing

their confrere and wishing hina "bon voyage." The next day at dawn Yves left his home, and while "en route" busied himself con cocting a lengthy speech. On the evening of the third day he arrived at the entrance to Paradise; which, it is necessary to state, is nearer to Brittany than any other country. After knocking thrice at the gates, Saint Peter appeared, but perceiving the bulky brief borne by the pilgrim, was loth to let him in. "I am Yves de Kermartin," said the traveller, "a Breton and a gentleman." "Ah! a Breton and a gentleman," replied the celestial door-keeper, " that is satisfac tory; but what do you do on earth?" "I am a lawyer." "A lawyer indeed! and what is that? such a calling is quite unknown in the Divine Kingdom." While thus speaking Saint Peter tried to push Yves back. I will not go so far as to deny that the latter hustled him a little, for certain it is that the Breton managed to enter the heavenly precincts, and immediately went in search of the throne where sits the Eternal One. The Elect, however, who were not ac customed to one so strangely garbed, scat tered at his approach, and running to God complained that a contraband Saint had forced himself into their presence. Yves followed them to the throne of the Almighty, where, bowing himself thrice to the ground, he said : " Oh Lord, before believing them, I beg you to listen to my petition." Then taking the bulky brief from its "chemise," he unfolded it at length. The Great Judge showed no symptoms of annoyance at this, but listened with attention, and even compli mented him upon his eloquence. He then