“I have the honour to appear on behalf of Mr. Jorrocks,” said Mr. Smirk, “a gentleman of the very highest consideration—­a fox-hunter—­a shooter—­and a grocer.  In ordinary cases it might be necessary to prove the party’s claim to respectability, but, in this instance, I feel myself relieved from any such obligation, knowing, as I do, that there is no one in this court, no one in these realms—­I might almost add, no one in this world—­to whom the fame of my most respectable, my most distinguished, and much injured client is unknown.  Not to know JORROCKS is indeed to argue oneself unknown.”

“This is a case of no ordinary interest, and I approach it with a deep sense of its importance, conscious of my inability to do justice to the subject, and lamenting that it has not been entrusted to abler hands.  It is a case involving the commercial and the sporting character of a gentleman against whom the breath of calumny has never yet been drawn—­of a gentleman who in all the relations of life, whether as a husband, a fox-hunter, a shooter, or a grocer, has invariably preserved that character and reputation, so valuable in commercial life, so necessary in the sporting world, and so indispensable to a man moving in general society.  Were I to look round London town in search of a bright specimen of a man combining the upright, sterling integrity of the honourable British merchant of former days with the ardour of the English fox-hunter of modern times, I would select my most respectable client, Mr. Jorrocks.  He is a man for youth to imitate and revere!  Conceive, then, the horror of a man of his delicate sensibility—­of his nervous dread of depreciation—­being compelled to appear here this day to vindicate his character, nay more, his honour, from one of the foulest attempts at conspiracy that was ever directed against any individual.  I say that a grosser attack was never made upon the character of any grocer, and I look confidently to the reversion of this unjust, unprecedented conviction, and to the triumphant victory of my most respectable and public-spirited client.  It is not for the sake of the few paltry shillings that he appeals to this court—­it is not for the sake of calling in question the power of the constituted authorities of this county—­but it is for the vindication and preservation of a character dear to all men, but doubly dear to a grocer, and which once lost can never be regained.  Look, I say, upon my client as he sits below the witness-box, and say, if in that countenance there appears any indication of a lawless or rebellious spirit; look, I say, if the milk of human kindness is not strikingly portrayed in every feature, and truly may I exclaim in the words of the poet:” 

  If to his share some trifling errors fall,
  Look in his face, and you’ll forget them all.’

“I regret to be compelled to trespass upon the valuable time of the court; but, sir, this appeal is based on a trespass, and one good trespass deserves another.”