The Humourous Story of Farmer Bumpkin's Lawsuit

CONTENTS.

Richard Harris
CHAPTER I.
Shows the Beauty of a Farm Yard on a Sabbath-Day, and what a difference a single letter will sometimes make in the legal signification of a Sentence	1
CHAPTER II.
The Simplicity and Enjoyments of a Country life depicted	11
CHAPTER III.
Showing how true it is that it takes at least Two to make a Bargain or a Quarrel	17
CHAPTER IV.
On the extreme Simplicity of Going to Law	27
CHAPTER V.
In which it appears that the Sting of Slander is not always in the Head	35
CHAPTER VI.
Showing how the greatest Wisdom of Parliament may be thrown away on Ungrateful People	45
CHAPTER VII.
Showing that Appropriateness of Time and Place should be studied in our Pastimes	55
CHAPTER VIII.
The Pleasure of a Country Drive on a Summer Evening described as enhanced by a Pious Mind	63
CHAPTER IX.
A Farm-house Winter Fire-side—A morning Drive and a mutual interchange of Ideas between Town and Country, showing how we may all learn something from one another	71
CHAPTER X.
The last Night before the first London Expedition, which gives occasion to recall pleasant reminiscences	87
CHAPTER XI.
Commencement of London Life and Adventures	97
CHAPTER XII.
How the great Don O’Rapley became an Usher of the Court of Queen’s Bench, and explained the Ingenious Invention of the Round Square—How Mr. Bumpkin took the water and studied Character from a Penny Steamboat	105
CHAPTER XIII.
An interesting Gentleman—showing how true it is that one half the World does not know how the other half lives	111
CHAPTER XIV.
The Old Bailey—Advantages of the New System illustrated	119
CHAPTER XV.
Mr. Bumpkin’s Experience of London Life enlarged	133
CHAPTER XVI.
The coarse mode of Procedure in Ahab versus Naboth ruthlessly exposed and carefully contrasted with the humane and enlightened form of the Present Day	143
CHAPTER XVII.
Showing that Lay Tribunals are not exactly Punch and Judy Shows where the Puppet is moved by the Man underneath	151
CHAPTER XVIII.
A comfortable Evening at the “Goose”	165
CHAPTER XIX.
The Subject continued	175
CHAPTER XX.
Mr. Bumpkin sings a good old Song—The Sergeant becomes quite a convivial Companion and plays Dominoes	179
CHAPTER XXI.
Joe electrifies the Company and surprises the Reader	191
CHAPTER XXII.
The Sergeant makes a loyal Speech and sings a Song, both of which are well received by the Company	203
CHAPTER XXIII.
The famous Don O’Rapley and Mr. Bumpkin spend a social Evening at the “Goose”	213
CHAPTER XXIV.
Don O’Rapley expresses his views of the Policy of the Legislature in not permitting Dominoes to be played in Public-houses	221
CHAPTER XXV.
In spite of all warnings, Joe takes his own part, not to be persuaded on one side or the other—Affecting Scene between Mr. Bumpkin and his old Servant	227
CHAPTER XXVI.
Morning Reflections—Mrs. Oldtimes proves herself to be a great Philosopher—The Departure of the Recruits to be sworn in	239
CHAPTER XXVII.
A Letter from Home	245
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Mr. Bumpkin determines to maintain a discreet silence about his Case at the Old Bailey—Mr. Prigg confers with him thereon	255
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Trial at the Old Bailey of Mr. Simple Simonman for Highway Robbery with violence—Mr. Alibi introduces himself to Mr. Bumpkin	261
CHAPTER XXX.
Mr. Alibi is stricken with a Thunderbolt—Interview with Horatio and Mr. Prigg	283
CHAPTER XXXI.
Mr. Bumpkin at Home again	295
CHAPTER XXXII.
Joe’s Return to Southwood—An Invitation from the Vicar—What the Old Oak saw	303
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A Consultation as to new Lodgings—Also a Consultation with Counsel	317
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Mr. Bumpkin receives Compliments from distinguished Persons	325
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Trial	335
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Motion for Rule Nisi, in which is displayed much Learning, Ancient and Modern	351
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Mr. Bumpkin is congratulated by his Neighbours and Friends in the Market Place and sells his Corn	359
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Farewell	375
The Lawsuit	381

“He never suffered his private partiality to intrude into the conduct of publick business. Nor in appointing to employments did he permit solicitation to supply the place of merit; wisely sensible, that a proper choice of officers is almost the whole of Government.”—Burke.

Extract from Notice of the Work in The Saturday Review, September 15th, 1883:—

“He was obviously quite as eager for a good battle in Court as ever was Dandy Dinmont.”

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