SCOTTISH ANECDOTES.
EDINBURGH LAWYERS.
THE Edinburgh lawyers of a century ago were a race very much addicted to hard drinking.
Drinking, indeed, intruded itself into every scene of their lives; and, as much of their business was necessarily performed in taverns, on account of the wretched accommodations of their own houses in the old town, the ink-glass and the claret-stoup were alike dear to them; and they could scarcely attempt to take a supply from the one, but the pen was in danger of being immersed in the other. Some anecdotes illustrating these habits may be acceptable.
A gentleman was one night engaged with a judge in a tremendous house, which lasted all night, and till within a single hour of the time when the court was to meet next morning. The two cronies had little more than time to wash themselves in their respective houses, when they had to meet again, in their professional capacities of judge and pleader, in the Parliament House.