A word only about COURTS OF JUSTICE.  “A smack of the whip” will tingle in my ears through life;[133] and I shall always attend “Nisi Prius” exhibitions with more than ordinary curiosity.  I strolled one morning to the Place de Justice—­which is well situated, in an airy and respectable neighbourhood.  I saw two or three barristers, en pleine costume, pretty nearly in the English fashion; walking quickly to and fro with their clients, in the open air before the hall; and could not help contrasting the quick eye and unconcerned expression of countenance of the former, with the simple look and yet earnest action of the latter.  I entered the Hall, and, to my astonishment, heard only a low muttering sound.  Scarcely fifteen people were present, I approached the bench; and what, think you, were the intellectual objects upon which my eye alighted?  Three Judges ... all fast asleep!  Five barristers, two of whom were nodding:  one was literally addressing the bench ... and the remaining two were talking to their clients in the most unconcerned manner imaginable.  The entire effect, on my mind, was ridiculous in the extreme.  Far be it from me, however, to designate the foregoing as a generally true picture of the administration of Justice at Caen.  I am induced to hope and believe that a place, so long celebrated for the study of the law, yet continues occasionally to exhibit proofs of that logic and eloquence for which it has been renowned of old.  I am willing to conclude that all the judges are not alike somniferous; and that if the acuteness of our GIFFORDS, and the rhetoric of our DENMANS, sometimes instruct and enliven the audience, there will be found Judges to argue like GIBBS and to decide like SCOTT.[134] Farewell.

[121] Memoires de l’Academie des Belles Lettres de Caen.  Chez Jacques
    Manoury, 1757, 4 vols. crown 8vo.  Rapport generale sur les travaux de
    l’Academie des Sciences, Arts, et Belles Lettres de la ville de Caen,
    jusqu’au premier Janvier, 1811.  Par P.F.T.  Delariviere, Secretaire.  A
    Caen, chez Chalopin.  An. 1811-15. 2 vols. on different paper, with
    different types, and provokingly of a larger form than its precursor.

[122] [On consulting the Addenda of the preceding edition, it will be seen
    that this work appeared in the year 1820, under the title of Essais
    Historiques sur la Ville de Caen et son Arondissement, in 2 small
    octavo volumes.  With the exception of two or three indifferent plates
    of relics of sculpture, and of titles with armorial bearings, this
    work is entirely divested of ornament.  There are some useful
    historical details in it, taken from the examination of records and
    the public archives; but a HISTORY of CAEN is yet a desideratum.]

[123] [By the favour of our common friend Mr. Douce, I have obtained
    permission to enrich these pages with the PORTRAIT of this
    distinguished Archaeologist, from an original Drawing in the
    possession of the same friend.  See the OPPOSITE PLATE.]