Orley Farm · Chapter
XVII: Von Bauhr explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Furnival sends Mr. Crabwitz to find Mr. Round, then travels to Birmingham for the international legal congress, where he discusses the proceedings with colleagues. The chapter contrasts the English lawyers' skepticism about reform with the idealism of Von Bauhr, who dreams of reforming the laws of nations. Felix Graham and young Staveley critique the congress, while Mr. Chaffanbrass and others express fatigue and disbelief.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
The congress debates whether loyalty to truth should precede loyalty to the client, highlighting the tension between professional duty and moral integrity.
Justice and Injustice
Von Bauhr's idealistic vision of a reformed legal system contrasts with the pragmatic skepticism of English lawyers, exploring the nature of justice.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Furnival
Travels to Birmingham for the congress, seeks Mr. Round, and discusses the proceedings with colleagues.
- Mr. Crabwitz
Sent by Mr. Furnival to find Mr. Round; argues about attending the congress but is ordered to stay.
- Felix Graham
Attends the congress, finds Von Bauhr's speech dry but believes in the value of reform.
- Augustus Staveley
Young Staveley, friend of Felix Graham, criticizes Von Bauhr's speech as intolerable.
- Mr. Chaffanbrass
An elderly barrister who finds the congress tedious and skeptical of reform.
- Von Bauhr
The German jurist who delivers a long speech at the congress; dreams of reforming laws and achieving justice.
Key passages
“No living orator would convince a grocer that coffee should be sold without chicory; and no amount of eloquence will make an English lawyer think that loyalty to truth should come before loyalty to his client.”
Just as a grocer won't be persuaded to stop adulterating coffee, an English lawyer won't be convinced to prioritize truth over client loyalty.
Highlights the entrenched professional ethos of the English bar.
“To him the day had been one long triumph, for his voice had sounded sweet in his own ears as, period after period, he had poured forth in full flowing language the gathered wisdom and experience of his life.”
Von Bauhr felt the day was a great success, enjoying the sound of his own voice as he delivered his life's accumulated knowledge.
Contrasts Von Bauhr's self-satisfaction with the audience's boredom.