Chapter Forty-seven
Matthew’s swearing-in as a barrister took place a few weeks later on a bitterly cold Friday morning, with rain pounding down throughout the city. He had reluctantly attended the customary legal outfitters a week prior for the required garb of the bar: black gown, barrister’s jacket and jabot with a wing collar, topped off with the traditional horsehair wig.
Oscar moved his admission and the oath was solemnly chanted by a dozen or so applicants before the full bench of the Supreme Court. The atmospheric old sandstone court building in King Street gave some semblance of tradition to the gathering. The Chief Justice gave a lengthy and earnest speech to the new appointees, but Matthew, whose mind was on the upcoming trial, was relieved when the ceremony finished.
Matthew
