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 The English Law Courts. mersmith and Wandsworth. These courts are presided over by stipendiary magistrates — barristers of at least seven years' standing — each of whom receives a salary of £ 500. The appointment rests with the Home Sec retary, and it is a moot question at the Bar whether the office of a stipendiary magistrate is preferable or not to that of a County

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magistracy and the honor of knighthood in 1890. He is rather testy with counsel and solicitors, but is an extremely learned lawyer and a most accurate judge. One of Sir John Bridge's best decisions was de livered in the missing word competition prosecution. He is great in extradition cases

THE OLD CENTRAL COURTS.

Court judge. The salary is the same in both cases. The stipendiary magistrate lives in London, and has no traveling. On the other hand, the County Court judge's work is more varied and pleasant. The balance between these conflicting advantages and the reverse is of course struck accord ing to individual taste. The head of the present metropolitan magistracy is Sir John Bridge. Born in 1824, and educated at Trinity College, Ox ford, where he took first-class honors in mathematics, Sir John was called to the Bar in 1850. He was made a police mag istrate in 1872, and raised to the chief

THE GRAND JURY.

The Grand Jury is a body of gentlemen, not less than twelve nor more than twentythree in number, summoned by the sheriff to hear accusations and present indictments at quarter sessions, assizes, or gaol deliveries. The grand jury, after having been charged — it having had the law as to the various offenses awaiting trial explained to them — by the presiding judge, retire to their room, and hear evidence in support of each indict ment. Their foreman has power to admin ister an oath or affirmation to any witness. The verdict of the grand jury, which must