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[Illustration: SIR HENRY HAWKINS AND "JACK." Photo by Elliot & Fry.]
As a preface I wish to say only a very few words—namely, that but forthe great pressure put upon me I should not have ventured to write,or allowed to be published, any reminiscences of mine, being veryconscious that I could not offer to the public any words of my ownthat would be worth the time it would occupy to read them; but thewhole merit of this volume is due to my very old friend RichardHarris, K.C., who has already shown, by his skill and marvellouslyattractive composition in reproducing my efforts in the Tichbornecase, what interest may be imparted to an otherwise very dry subject.In that work[A] he has done me much more than justice, and for this Ithank him, with many good wishes for the success of this his new work,and with many thanks to those of the public who may take and feel aninterest in such of my imperfect reminiscences as are here recorded.
HARROGATE, August 17, 1904.
[Footnote A: "Illustrations in Advocacy" (fourth edition, Stevens and
Haynes).]
This volume is the outcome of many conversations with Lord Bramptonand of innumerable manuscript notes from his pen. I have endeavoured,as far as possible, to present them to the public in such a mannerthat, although chronological order has not been strictly adhered to,it has been, nevertheless, considering the innumerable events of LordBrampton's career, carefully observed.
Apocryphal stories are always told of celebrated men, and of no onemore than of Sir Henry Hawkins during his career on the Bench and atthe Bar; but I venture to say that there is no doubtful story in thisvolume, and, further, that there is not one which has ever been toldexactly in the same form before. Good stories, like good coin, loseby circulation. If there should be one or two in these reminiscenceswhich have lost their image and superscription by much handling, Ihope that the recasting which they have undergone will give them, notonly the brightness of the original mint, but a wider circulation thanthey have ever known.
The distinguishing characteristics by which Lord Brampton's storiesmay be known I have long been familiar with, and have no hesitation insaying that one or other, some or all, may be found in every anecdotethat bears the genuine stamp. They are
My claims in the production of this volume are confined to itsdefects, although Lord Brampton has been generous enough toattribute to me a share in its merits.
October 6, 1904.