London Legal Letter.

'T is true the cough may be but sympathetic with that of the lawyers; but it makes his charge more effective than it would be if accompanied by the dreamy discoursing "of lutes and soft recorders." Let it be proclaimed, then, that coughing is a part and parcel of the law; that it is law, and good sound law at that, though not

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made and provided by the Legislature. But it is the capital of many a lawyer, and the thing that causes a fiendish smile to light his features when he picks up a paper and reads an advertisement setting forth with lyric sweetness the virtues of the prevailing nos trum, under the general head of "Stop that cough! " — R. K. M. in Harper's Magazine.

LONDON LE AL LETTER. London, Nov. 5, 1892. /^UR new Home Secretary, Mr. Asquith, has signalized his accession to office by granting permission to hold public meetings in Trafalgar Square at certain times and under certain condi tions. Many of your countrymen know Trafalgar Square well; it has been described as the finest site in Europe, and the magnificent hotels in its immediate vicinity owe much of their prosperity to the patronage of American visitors. Meetings used to be allowed in the Square. As a rule they were of no great magnitude, and did not seriously interfere with vehicular or passenger traffic; but towards the end of the year 1887 these gatherings began to assume a very different aspect and pro portion. The winter was exceptionally severe, and employment was scarce. Day after day noisy demonstrations were held by a motley congrega tion of genuine workmen, reinforced by at least an equally large body of professional loafers and blackguards. As a result, public security was seriously menaced; and no alternative was left to the Government of the day but to close the Square for the purposes of public meeting. Then befell that day now known in the melodramatic parlance of visionary politicians as " Bloody Sun day," when an obstinate and organized effort was made by the malcontents to recapture the Square, as they phrased it. They were led by one or two foolish members of Parliament and other mis guided persons. In anticipation of grave disturb ances to the peace of the metropolis, nearly one hundred thousand special constables were enrolled during the preceding week to strengthen the hands of the regular police force, for the proposed enter prise had been well advertised. In the event, an

enormous multitude began to gather from every quarter on that November Sunday; and before the day was over a serious riot took place in the Square, the troops were called out, heads were broken, and a great deal of bad feeling aroused. Thereafter it was felt that the right of public meeting had been' overdone, and the controversy closed for the time, after the courts had decided, the question hav ing been formally brought before them, that the property in the Square was vested in the Crown. It was known, however, that when the new Min istry came into office an attempt would be made to secure the Home Secretary's permission for the holding of meetings. This has been granted, subject to certain conditions. Meetings are only to be allowed on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and pub lic holidays. The first is to take place on Sunday, the 13th, and lively curiosity is felt as to what may then occur. It is more than likely that the gath erings will again have to be prohibited. The numerous parks throughout the metropolis are all open for any kind of assemblage, and it is this circumstance which renders the employment of an important thoroughfare for the purpose so unnecessary. The Government has appointed a Royal Com mission to inquire into the condition and cir cumstances of the Irish evicted tenants. Many of these men voluntarily incurred eviction from their holdings at the bidding of associations like the Land and National Leagues. A great number of the holdings are now in the occupation of per sons who acquired a statutory title under one or other of the Irish Land Acts, and it is not easy to see how in such cases any measure of reinstate ment is possible; and yet in some quarters, at any