The jury
have found that you were _mixed up_ in this robbery, and I find that
you have been convicted of stealing apples. True, it's a good many
years ago, but it brings you within the purview of the statute, and
therefore your sentence of five years will stand."
CHAPTER XLVI.
THE NEW LAW ALLOWING THE ACCUSED TO GIVE EVIDENCE--THE CASE OF DR.
WALLACE, THE LAST I TRIED ON CIRCUIT.
I should like to make an observation on the recent Act for enabling
prisoners to go into the witness-box and subject themselves, after
giving their evidence, to cross-examination.
It must be apparent to every one, learned and unlearned in its
mysteries, that no evidence can be of its highest value, and often is
of no value, until sifted by cross-examination. I was always opposed
to this process as against an accused person, because I know how
difficult it is under the most favourable circumstances to avoid the
pitfalls which a clever and artistic cross-examiner may dig for the
unwary.
It did not occur to me in that early stage of the discussion on the
Bill that a really true story _cannot_ be shaken in cross-examination,
and that only the _false_ must give way beneath its searching effect.
I had to learn something in advocacy; indeed, I was always learning,
and the best of us may go on for ever learning, as long as this
wonderful and mysterious human nature exists.
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