Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 24.pdf/60

 The Editor's Bag diction, from the plaintiff's point of view, for breach of promise actions. It is almost a certainty that the Eng lish lass who can show that her affec tions have been seriously trifled with will receive a substantial award. Breach of promise actions, as under stood in this country, are unknown in Germany, a special law providing rules and regulations for love's young dream. When a couple desires to become en gaged, they visit the town hall, declare their willingness to marry, and sign a series of documents, duly witnessed, which render a jilting on the man's part practically out of the question. Should either party discover that a mis take is being made, the couple again visit the town hall, and another series of documents is signed, and the engage ment declared off. The municipal authorities settle the matter of financial compensation for heartaches, if any is claimed. In France, Austria and Holland, the law requires that the plaintiff show that she has suffered pecuniary loss, directly or indirectly, by reason of the falseness of her lover. In Italy substantial damages will be awarded if the allegation is proven, but inasmuch as proof must consist of a written promise to marry, in explicit terms, few cases are ever brought into court. As, however, the warm-blooded daughters of Italy are not indisposed to taking matters in their own hands, along with a stiletto, lovers are wary of showing a fickle disposition.

A QUAINT OATH IN THE Isle of Man many curious and quaint customs still survive, especially in connection with the ma chinery of the law. The oath adminis tered to the High Court judges is a good illustration. It runs: —

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By this book (a Bible) and the contents thereof, and by the wonderful works that God hath miraculously wrought in the heaven above and the earth beneath in six days and six nights, I do swear that I will, without respect of favor or friendship, loss or gain, consanguinity or affinity, envy or malice, execute the laws of this isle justly between party and party as in differently as the herring backbone doth lie in the midst of the fish. So help me God and the contents of this book.

It will be observed that this is not merely an oath, but a declaration of Christian faith, and a reference to what was at one time the great industry of the isle — herring fishing. A TOO INQUISITIVE JUDGE IN THE city of Richmond, Va., all of the municipal courts have quarters in the City Hall, and commodious cham bers are provided for the several city judges. One of these is very near the jury room for that court. We are in debted to a member of the Richmond bar for the story of a very funny occur rence. On a certain day not many years since, the court referred to had been engaged during the morning session in the trial of a civil case. About the noon hour, it had been fully argued, and the court was ready to take a recess for lunch. The presiding judge, an affable, popu lar and able man, had given ample instructions on the law in favor of the plaintiff, in what seemed to him a very plain case, and sent the jury to their room to agree upon a.verdict. He was so confident that there would be no delay or trouble that he permitted all the court officers to leave, saying that he would receive the verdict, and then get his own lunch. However, contrary to His Honor's expectations, the jury kept him waiting a long time. As the minutes went by, his appetite grew, and so did his impatience.