Edward; it's highly improper in you to do so; go on, if you please."

Sir Edward resumed his speech, but had not addressed the court above two or three minutes, when Lord Brougham, addressing the officer, said, in his usual hasty manner, Bring me some sheets of letterpaper directly."

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Of the folio size always used in court, his lordship had an abundant supply before him.

"Yes, my lord," said the obedient officer, withdrawing for a moment to execute his lordship's commands. He returned in a few seconds, and placed some half dozen sheets on the desk. His lordship immediately snatched up a pen, and commenced writing as if he had been inditing a letter to some private friend. Sir Edward again paused in his address to the court, and leaned with his elbows on the bench before him, as if willing to wait patiently until his lordship should finish his epistolary business.

"Sir Edward!" exclaimed the Lord Chancellor in angry and ironical accents, after the learned gentleman had been silent for a few moments, "Sir Edward! pray what's the matter now?"

"I thought, my lord, that your lordship was temporarily occupied with some matter of your own."

Really, Sir Edward, this is beyond endurance." "I beg your lordship's pardon; but I thought your lordship was writing some private letter."

"Nothing of the kind, Sir Edward," said his lordship, tartly; "nothing of the kind. I was taking a note of some points in your speech. See, would you like to look at it?" said he, sarcastically, at the same time holding out the sheet of paper towards Sir Edward.

"O not at all, your lordship. I do not doubt your lordship's word. I must have been under a mistake."