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Opening of New Building of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto, March, 1939.

I am always glad to be in the company of lawyers, of members of my old and cherished profession. Occasionally I am required to speak on a legal topic, and then I realize sadly that while I may be still a lawyer I am no longer learned in the law, and I have to appeal to my audience in the words of the poet -

"Let there be no moaning of the bar When I put out t o sea".

Tonight I have no such duty. I am here as an honorary Bencher of Osgoode Hall to declare open a new wing of the Law Society's Building. I say to "declare open", not to open, for it has been already opened and in use for many months. That is very like our profession; we are sticklers for form, but we are very ready to throw form to the wind when there is a practical reason.

When I first saw Osgoode Hall I was struck with its similarity to the Inns of Court in England, of which I have the honour to be a Bencher. Its living inhabitants had the same look; the portraits on its walls showed the same kinds of heads as you will find in the Middle Temple or Gray's Inn; the whole atmosphere, the whole flavour was the same. That, I suppose, is due to the pre-potent influence of our Common Law.

Well, gentlemen, what I want to say to you tonight is that I hope you will cultivate this resemblance, and

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cultivate it in a particular way.

In the first place Osgoode Hall should be a centre for the Ontario Bar, and indeed for all the practitioners of the Common Law in Canada. Throughout this great Dominion you have men practising in the small country towns and in provincial cities for whom it would be a very real pleasure to know that there was one centre of their profession, one link which bound them all together, and that they could, when they desired, revive their sense of community. I would like to see a monthly luncheon, or something of the kind here, where provincial members could attend if they happened to be in the city. I think that every man trained in the Law Society of Ontario should look back to Osgoode Hall as a kind of alma mater to which he can return and revive companionships.

I would go further. I think you ought to follow the example of the London Inns of Court and have what are called Grand Nights. That is to say, monthly dinners in term time to which guests from other professions and other walks of life are invited. I know the merits of these Grand Nights at home, when eminent lawyers mix with eminent men of business , with members of the Cabinet, with doctors and scientists. It is a means of linking our great profession with other human interests, and making these interests understand the dignity of our profession.

I throw out these suggestions, gentlemen, in all modesty as a loyal member of your Society who wishes you very well.

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I would recommend to you the practice of the great livery companies of the City of London. All through the vicissitudes of English history they have gone on dining and inviting to dine. Who shall say that they have not played a great part in breaking down barriers and harmonising discords? When Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector the livery companies of the City of London gave him a great banquet and presented him with a handsome service of plate. When Cromwell died and Charles II. returned to the throne the livery companies of the City of London entertained him at a great banquet and again presented a handsome service of plate. There was no inconsistency, for the companies believed in a sound doctrine which has always been at the bottom of British policy - that contradictories can usually be reconciled if they are handled in the proper way, and that however dubious a man's character or policy may be, he will be all the better for a good dinner.

Opening of Law Institute. Toronto. March, 1939.

I am always glad to be in the company of lawyers, of members of my old and cherished profession. Occasionally I am required to speak on a legal topic, and then I realise sadly that while I may be still a lawyer I am no longer learned in the law, and I have to appeal to my audience in the words of the poet

"Let there be no moaning of the bar When I put out to sea."

Tonight I have no such duty. I am here as an honorary Bencher of Osgoode Hall to declare open a new wing of the Law Society's Building. I say to declare open, not to open, for it has been already opened and in use for many months. That is very like our profession: we are sticklers for form, but we are very ready to throw form to the wind when there is a practical reason.

When I first saw Osgoode Hall I was struck with its similarity to the Inns of Court in England, of which I have the honour to be a Bencher. Its living inhabitants had the same look; the portraits on its walls showed the same kinds of heads as you will find in the Middle Temple or Grey's Inn; the whole atmosphere, the whole flavour was the same. That, I suppose, is due to the pre-potent influence of our Common Law.

Well, gentlemen, what I want to say to you tonight is that I hope you will cultivate this resemblance, and cultivate it in a particular way.

In the first place Osgoode Hall should be a centre for the Ontario Bar, and indeed for all the practitioners of the Common Law in Canada. Throughout this great Dominion you have men practising in

2.

the small country towns and in provincial cities for whom it would be a very real pleasure to know that there was one centre of their profession, one link which bound them all together, and that they could, when they desired, revive their sense of community. I would like to see a monthly luncheon, or something of the kind here, where provincial members could attend if they happened to be in the city. I think that every man trained in the Law Society of Ontario should look back to Osgoode Hall as a kind of alma mater to which he can return and revive companionships.

I would go further. I think you ought to follow the example of the London Inns of Court and have what are called Grand Nights. That is to say, monthly dinners in term time to which guests from other professions and other walks of life are invited. I know the merits of these Grand Nights at home, when eminent lawyers mix with eminent men of business, with members of the Cabinet, with doctors and scientists. It is a means of linking our great profession with other human interests, and making these interests understand the dignity of our profession.

I throw out these suggestions, gentlemen, in all modesty as a loyal member of your Society who wishes you very well. I would recommend to you the practice of the great livery companies of the City of London. All through the vicissitudes of English history they have gone on dining and inviting to dine. Who shall say that they have not played a great part in breaking down barriers and harmonising discord? When Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector the livery companies of the City of London gave him a great banquet