If an attorney or counselor at law shall commence an action and fail to prosecute the same, or if any action so commenced shall be dismissed for want of his attention, or if he shall bring the wrong action and it be necessary to enter a nonsuit, or if it shall be made to appear to the court that the action was erroneously brought, dismissed, or nonsuit entered in consequence, the court may, in its discretion, enter up judgment against any such attorney or counselor at law for the full amount of the costs thereby incurred, and all damages in consequence thereof.