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The Green Bag,

the injured workman shall, if required, and in order to fix the amount to be paid him, submit himself for examination by a doctor provided and paid by the employer, and if he refuses, his right of compensation shall be suspended until he complies. So, too, he must submit himself forexamination from time to time after he comes into receipt of his compen sation. This comparatively low rate of compensation is in accordance with the view generally taken of the value of life and of a workman's capacity in this country, and, remarkable as it may seem, although the principle of the bill was bitterly fought over in the House of Commons there was no question raised by the labor representatives or others as to the scale of compensation. A fortnight ago the amount to be awarded in an action for damage for per sonal injuries where an engine driver was knocked down and run over in the street and so badly injured that one of his legs had to be amputated and the other was seriously hurt, was fixed by a common jury in a London County Court at ^150. The new law has not yet gone into effect but it will be observed that this award is but little higher than the scale fixed in the Act. The opening of the courts after the long vacation was celebrated this year for the first time for many generations by a religious ceremonial and a pageant of more than

usual brilliancy. Heretofore the judges, attended by the Queen's Counsel, have simply walked in a straggling pro cession through the Central Hall of the Royal Courts. On Monday last a service was first held in Westminster Abbey which was largely attended not only by judges and leaders and juniors, but by as many of the outside public, particu larly ladies, as could gain admission. The scene was a most impressive as well as brilliant one, color being given to it by the scarlet and ermine of the judges, the full bottomed wigs and court dress of the Queen's Counsel, the rounded wigs and flowing robes of the juniors, and the surplices and academical vestments of the clergy. After the service, which lasted only forty-five minutes and consisted of a shortened form of matins, the procession was made through the hall of the courts, the sides being lined with hundreds of ladies. The judges upon reaching their respective courts sat but for a few moments while the crowd dispersed, many of the latter breaking up into tea parties in the chambers of the junior members of the bar. To these juniors and to the profession generally there was no little zest added to the festivities by the knowledge that the list of causes to be tried at this term is the largest for a number of years past.

STUFF GOWN.