Meanwhile it’s another day in Clerkenwell County Court for Judge Edge. The Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser (Wednesday 30 November 1898) report an amusing interlude:
The Judge and the Carpenter.
Amusing Interlude at a County Court.
Before Judge Edge, at Clerkenwell County Court, a man named Matthews appeared on a summons for the value of some goods supplied.
Judge: do you owe this?
Defendant: I don’t know.
Judge: Eh! That sounds like an admission. What are you?
Defendant: A Journeyman.
Judge: Where are you going? (laughter)
Defendant: I don’t know. (loud laughter.)
Judge: What is your work?
Defendant: A journeyman carpenter.
Judge: What do you earn?
Defendant (very hesitatingly): About 30 shillings.
Judge: About means another 5 shillings, so that is 35 shillings a week. (laughter) Are you a married man?
Defendant made no answer.
Judge: Come, now. Your ought to know. Can’t you remember? (loud laughter).
Defendant: Well, yes; I am.
Judge: Sounds as if you’re not certain. (laughter). If I order you to pay six shillings a month will you remember that? (laughter).
Defendant: Yes.
Judge: Then we shall be all right. (laughter)
