| 446 | 447 | 448 | 449 | 450 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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the jury that if they acquitted this prisoner they must expect to suffer
no less pangs and agonies than he had told the other jury they would
certainly undergo if they convicted that prisoner. And when he had
told them all about the case, and that he had never known a worse
case, he stopped a little while, like a man who had something terrible
to tell them, and then said that he understood an attempt would be
made by his learned friend (and here he looked sideways at Kit's
gentleman) to impeach the testimony of those immaculate witnesses
whom he should call before them; but he did hope and trust that his
learned friend would have a greater respect and veneration for the
character of the prosecutor; than whom, as he well knew, there did
not exist, and never had existed, a more honourable member of that
most honourable profession to which he was attached. And then he
said, did the jury know Bevis Marks? And if they did know Bevis
Marks (as he trusted for their own character, they did) did they know
the historical and elevating associations connected with that most
remarkable spot? Did they believe that a man like Brass could reside
in a place like Bevis Marks, and not be a virtuous and most upright
character? And when he had said a great deal to them on this point,
he remembered that it was an insult to their understandings to make
any remarks on what they must have felt so strongly without him, and
therefore called Sampson Brass into the witness-box, straightway.
Then up comes Mr Brass, very brisk and fresh; and, having bowed to
the judge, like a man who has had the pleasure of seeing him before,
and who hopes he has been pretty well since their last meeting, folds
his arms, and looks at his gentleman as much as to say 'Here I am -
full of evidence - Tap me!' And the gentleman does tap him presently,
and with great discretion too; drawing off the evidence by little and
little, and making it run quite clear and bright in the eyes of all
present. Then, Kit's gentleman takes him in hand, but can make
nothing of him; and after a great many very long questions and very
short answers, Mr Sampson Brass goes down in glory.
To him succeeds Sarah, who in like manner is easy to be managed by
Mr Brass's gentleman, but very obdurate to Kit's. In short, Kit's
gentleman can get nothing out of her but a repetition of what she has
said before (only a little stronger this time, as against his client), and
therefore lets her go, in some confusion. Then, Mr Brass's gentleman
calls Richard Swiveller, and Richard Swiveller appears accordingly.
Now, Mr Brass's gentleman has it whispered in his ear that this
witness is disposed to be friendly to the prisoner - which, to say the
truth, he is rather glad to hear, as his strength is considered to lie in
what is familiarly termed badgering. Wherefore, he begins by
requesting the officer to be quite sure that this witness kisses the
book, then goes to work at him, tooth and nail.
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