Star.
London, England, 1830-05-05 00:00:00

SIR M. HALE.

Fran Dr. Likienxma's Cabinet Cgelopadia, Vol. V. being Lives
u) Raiment laryt rs, by H. Honor, Req.

In the year 166.5, Sir Matthew Hale was unfortunately
called upon to preside at the trial of two wretched women
who were indicted for the crime of witchcraft. In re-
viewing his conduct upon this occasion, allowance must
be made for the prejudices of the times in which he lived ;
prejudices, perhaps, strengthened in his case by the zeal
with which he had devoted himself to the speculative
pot of theological learning. Still it is impossible to acquit
him of a too easy credulity on this occasion, since, in thel
course of the trial some experiments were instituted with
regard to the correctness of the representations made by
the persons supposed to be affected, the result of which
induced some impartial bystanders to declare, that they
believed the whole transaction a mere imposition. At the
conclusion of the trial Hale did not sum up the evidence,
but left the case to the Jury, with a very short direction,
professing, at the same time, his belief in the crime of
witchcraft. He said, " that there were such creatures
as witches he made no doubt at all; for, first, the Scrip-
ture had affirmed so much ; secondly, the wisdom of all
nations had provided laws against such persons, which is
an argument of their confidence of such a crime. And
such bath been the judgment of this kingdom, as appears
by that Act of Parliament which hath provided punish-
ment proportionable to the quality of the offence." The
prisoners were found guilty, and no reprieve being granted,
were executed pursuant to their sentence without making
any confession; which, upon some other occasions had
been extorted, by their own superstitious terrors, from
the unhappy persons ascused of this crime.
The character of Sir Matthew Hale as a judge was
splendidly pre-eminent. His learning was profound; his
patience unconquerable ; his integrity stainless. In the
words of one who wrote with no friendly feeling towards
him, " his voice was oracular, and his person little less
than adored." The temper of mind with which he entered
upon the duties of the bench is best exemplified in the
following resolutions, which appear to have been com-
posed on his being raised to the dignity of Chief Baron at
the Restoration :

" Things necessary to be continually had in remembrance:
• "1. That in the administration of justice lam intrusted for GOD,
the King, and country ; and therefore,
" 2. That it be done, 1. uprightly; & deliberately; 3. resolutely.
" 3. That I rest not upon my own understanding or strength,
but implore and rest upon the diration and strength of Grin.
" 4. That in the execution of justice I carefully lay aside my
own passions, and not give way to them, however provoked.
" 6. That 1 be wholly intent upon the business I am about, re.
mining all other cares and thoughts as unseasonable and interruptions.
" 6. That I suffer not myself to be prepoeseeeed with any judg-
ment at all, till the whole business and both parties be heard.
" 7. That I never engage myself in the beginning of any cause,
but reserve myself unprejudiced till the whole be beard.
" 8. That in business capital, though my nature prompt me to
pity, yet to consider there is a pity also due to the country.
" 9. That I be not too rigid in matters purely conscientious,
where all the harm is diversity of judgment.
" 10. That I be not biassed with compassion to the poor, oe fa-
vour to the rich, in point of justice.
" That popular or court applause, or distaste, have no Influence
in any thing I do, in point of distribution of justice.
" 12. Not to be solicitous what men will say or think, so long as
I keep myself exactly according to the rule of justice.
" 13. If in criminals it be a measuring cast, to incline to mercy
and acquittal.
" 14. In criminals that consist merely in words, where no more
harm ensues, moderation is nu injustice.
" la. In criminals of blood, if thefact be evident, severity is justice.
" 16. To abhor all private solicitations, of what kind mesa, and
by whomsoever, in matters depending.
17. To charge my servants, 1. Not to interpose in any matter
whatsoever; 2. Not to take more than their known fees; 3. Not
to give an/ undue precedence to causes ; 4.Not to recommend counsel.
18. To be short and sparing at meals, that I may be the fitter
for business." _

Under the influence of resolutions like these, the con-
duct of Hale on the bench appears to have been almost
irreproachable.

LARGE BONNETS.

Letter in the Bath Herald.

If it be true that every age is attended with its " cry-
ing evil," and if that attempt be laudable which is aimed
at its suppression, be mine the grateful task of decrying
the practice, now so fatally and universally prevalent, of
raising on the heads of the deluded fair (under the idea
of adding to their beauty) those towering and ungraceful
erections which have lately superseded the necessity of
parasols, and which have finally swelled to such exorbi-
tant dimensions as almost to render unintelligible (cer-
tainly to leave without any definite meaning) that " once
familiar word," Bonnets. It is a lamentable fact, that at
the present era, Fashion, that stranger to taste, has built
upon the ruins of the less-aspiring, but more becoming
cottage bonnet, those unwieldy " castles in the air,"
which, by effecting a momentary eclipse of the sun, are
continually casting an ominous shade over our streets,
and awakening in us fearful apprehensions as to their
probable enlargement—a consideration which would af-
fect us in no trifling degree, did we not discover, in the
inability of female strength to bear up against an increase
of weight, an antidote to despair. In my opinion the
fair sex are greatly to be pitied, who, reposing unsuspect-
ing confidence in the skill of their treacherous milliners,
at length escape from beneath the wonder-working agency
of these artists in such strange, unheard-of shapes, as to
defy the scrutiny of any mere mortal to detect, at a dis-
tance, to what species they belong. Alas! I did fond-
ly hope, that after all the romantic metamorphoses
to which they had previously been uhappily subjected in
the immoderate swell of their sleeves, we might still re-
cognise, in the unassuming charms of the cottage bonnet,
the lingering magic which had so often captivated our
hearts, and won us into involuntary admiration ; but no !
the industrious and monopolising hand of the mischievous
Mauler was yet to put the finishing-stroke to their total
transfiguration ; and by adding this topetone to the super-
structure of feminine adornments, they have so pitifully
*ended the last ray of loveliness which still glistened
through the floating clouds of millinery, antecedently
enveloping them, that even the most generous and en-
. thusiastic admirer of female decorations, can no longer
curb his indignation. If you attend a public meeting of
any kind, and chance to sit among these tormenting
. belles, their nodding bonnets woven together in the form
of a testudo, like the target-fence of the ancients, seem
to mock your futile efforts, as, with projected neck, you
, vainly essay to snatch one short-lived glimpse of the be-
clouded speaker. It is matter for curious speculation to
'observe the different taste evinced in the formation of the
%onsets of " olden times," and the architecture of those
of the present day. Truly a modern bonnet beside one
of its sorry predecessors, would look like Asian's rod
which swallowed up its fellows. Would that, jn this age
of universal emancipation, the pitying fair would free
themselves from the restraints- (or rather licenaes) of
Fashion, and striving to be imitative of their " good
old ancestors," invite back again to her long de-
serted. empire, the injured goddess—Taste. Trusting
dial these lines may foil into the hands of some, who
by them,, be at length
.convinced that " art cannot
add one hesaity to the rose, and asking permission for
their insertion that, the fair may thus profit by their
permit,
I remain, yours, ace.