Clip of the Week: April 20, 2022
On April 20, 2022 by Elyse
A court-house in a certain provincial town stands near a common. During one of the cases that were being tried there counsel was in the middle of his speech for the defence, when a donkey outside began to bray.
The judge, who was notorious for his wit, put up his hand at this juncture, and said to the counsel: “Kindly stop a minute, Mr. Blank; I am unable to hear two at once.”
A little later, while the judge was summing up, the donkey again brayed, and the counsel, seeing an opportunity for revenge, stood up and said, “Would your lordship mind speaking a little louder? There is an echo in the court.”
– The Evening Express, April 14, 1910
Before courtrooms were sets for dramatic “Law & Order” episodes, they were open mics for would-be comedians.




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About This Blog
Welcome to Second Glance History! This blog seeks to uncover the people and the stories forgotten by history and give them another read through a modern lens. Join me every week as we examine the differences that divide and the common threads that connect the then to the now.
More courtroom antics, parts 1 & 2:
https://cnyhistoryunfiltered.wordpress.com/2020/12/08/judge-barlows-buttermilk-problem-part-1/
https://cnyhistoryunfiltered.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/judge-barlows-buttermilk-problem-part-2/
Hilarious! We have more than enough material to start a blog devoted exclusively to early 20th-century courtroom antics.