Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby, 18 Jan. 1685@6: After dinner the
Lord? Chancellor, having drunke smartly at table (which was his custome) called for one
Monfort, a gentleman of his that had been a comedian, an excellent mimick, and to divert the company, as he called it, made him give us a caus, that is, plead before him in a feigned action, wher he acted all the principal lawyers of the age, in their tone of voice, and action or gesture of body; and thus ridiculed not only the lawyers, but the law itselfe. This, I confess, was very diverting, but not soe prudent as I thought for soe eminent a man in soe great a station of the lawe; since nothing could get a man more enemies than to deride
thos whom they ought most to sopport (ed.
Browning, pp. 408-9)