One of the most telling tales told of C.P. Lazarus was this, as recorded in:
Jamaica Pie, being Tales of Past and Present,
by J B, Gleaner Co., 1943
Chapter XI Scintillae Curiae, pp 25-6
Scene. Court. On the Bench - The C[hief] J[ustice] [Sir Adam Gibb Ellis]
Registrar. "Call Charles Lazarus."
Policeman (to the corridor) " Charles Lazarus, Charles Lazarus, Charles Lazarus." (to the air) "Answer."
Enter Mr. Charles Lazarus, an ironfounder, in a good way of business. He wears a working man's blue overalls. He enters the witness box, is sworn, and gives evidence. Evidence ended, he prepares to leave the box.
C.J. "Mr. Lazarus."
C.L. (turning to Court) "Yes, your Honour."
C.J. "I observe, Mr. Lazarus, that you have not deemed it proper to put off your working clothes before coming to this Court."
C.L. (staring hard at the C.J.'s robes, and assuming an air of surprise and injured innocence) "I beg the court's pardon, but I see that your Honour is in his working clothes too."
(Sensation in Court. But the C.J., being a very wise man, understands).
C.J. "Yes, I see. Thank you, Mr. Lazarus."
And in her book on Devon House, Enid Shields comments thus on Lazarus -
"In spite of all his achievements, Charles [Lazarus] was a rough diamond, but most amusing. Most anecdotes that are allegedly connected with Lazarus are unprintable."
She adds this
"Another delightful anecdote relates that Lazarus once sent the British government a bill for repairs on a naval ship: ‘One stud - 6 pence. Total amount for fitting above stud - 3 shillings. Total amount for knowing where to fit stud - £960.’ "
