Out of Print
Forensic Fables appeared first in the Law Journal and then in book form between 1926 and 1932. They were published anonymously, but their authorship was quickly guessed.
The literary style and the pictorial delineation were alike unmistakable. They were the work of Theo Mathew composed in his study on the ground floor at the back of 31 Cornwall Gardens. They show his wit in all its maturity
Preface...Forensic Fables (1926) in book form must be the excuse for a disregard of the maxim Nemo debet bis vexari.
Further Forensic Fables (which have already appeared in the Law Journal) resemble their predecessors in being efforts of the imagination, based here and there on a substratum of truth. An apology is offered for some errors and omissions in the text of Forensic Fables. A distinguished Judge of the Supreme Court of the Irish Free State has pointed out that in the Table of Cases Cited an incomplete reference to Lickbarrow v. Mason is given. This should be put right.
The various stages of that case are reported in 2 T.R. 63; 5 T.R. 683; 2 H. BL 357; 2 H. Bl. 211; 6 East 21 ; and I Smith's L.C. (12th ed.) 726. Further, he has drawn attention to the fact that under the heading Negligence, of domestic servant, in the Index " p. 49 " should read "p. 62." It must also be admitted that the Tactful Magistrate acted in excess of his jurisdiction when he fined the Much Respected Colleague the sum of £10. Forty shillings was the maximum penalty he could inflict in the circumstances mentioned. See Licensing Act, 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 94), sec. 12. Thanks are due to Sir Chartres Biron for this reminder.
It is hoped that a careful revision of the proof-sheets has freed this volume from similar blemishes. The Table of Cases Cited, the Table of Statutes and the Index, which were found helpful by attentive readers of Forensic fables have been repeated. 'O'