American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-10-29
ANECDoTE OF SIR MATTHEW HALE

and seized upon the estate. He gave out that his
eldest brother was dead, and br5ed false wit.
nesses, to attest the truth of il. In course Of time
the eldest brother returned he came home in mis-
cradle circumstances His youngest brother repuls
ed him with scorn, told him that he was an impos-
tor and cheat, and asserted that his real brother
was dead long ago, ard he could bring Witnesses to
prove it, The poor fellow, having neither money
nor friends, was in most dismal situation. He
went round the parish, making bitter complaints,
and at las he came 10 a lawyer; who, when he had
heard the poor mans mouSpu story, replied to him
| III thus manner -" You have nothing to give me :
lit undertake your and lose it, it will bring
me into very foul disgrace, all the wealth and eg
dence is on your brothers. side. But however,
will undertake your cause Upon this condition -
You shall enter into obligations to pay me thou
sand gulneas, II gain the estate for you. Ii lose
Ut, know the consequence, and venture uron il
with my eyes OPEN Accordingly he entered an
action against the younger brother, audit agreed
to be tried at the next general assizes, at Che!ms
ford, IL Essex.
! The lawyer, having engaged in the cause Of the
poor man, and stimulated by the prospect OF thou
sand guineas, set his wits work 10 contliye the
best methods to gain his end. Al last he hit upon
this happy thought, that he would consult the FIRST
Of all the Judges, Lord Chief Justice Hale. Ac-
cording'y he flew up 10 London, and laid open the
cause 10 all its circumstances. Inc Judge. who
was The greatest lover OF justice CT any in the
world, heard The patiently AMI atentiyey, and
promised him all the assistance in His power. ut
Is very probable that he opened his whole scheme
and method oil proceeding, enjoinng the utmost
secFecy.) The Judss contrived matters in such a
manner as 10 haze finished all lis business at The
Kings Bench before the assizrs begun at Cheims-
lord, and ordered either his carriage or horses 70
cnnvey hum down very near ne seat 81 the assizys.
| He dismissed his man and his horses, aud sought
| out Tor single house lie found one occupied by
a miller. Alter some conversation, and making
lhtmseli qCle agreeable. he proposed 10 The miller
to change clothes with him. As the Judge had a
livery good suit on, the man had reason 10 object
Accordingly The Judge shittsd himself from top to
toe and put on complete suit of The mers best.
| Armed with the miller's nat ard shoes, and stick,
away he marches TO Cnelmsiord he had procured
lgood lodgings TO his liking, and waited for the as
sizes that should come on next day When the
trial came on, he walked like ignorant country
fellow, backwards and forwards along the county
| hall. H. had thousand eyes within him, and when
The court began to Fill, he found GU! the poor
fellow that was the pIaintitf. As as he came
into he hall, the miller drew up to him =" Honest
friend, said hey how is your Ike 10 go to day?'
+" Why, (repiied the plaintlHl my cause is in a
very precafious situation, and il lose it, am ruin
ed for Iife."" Well, honest friend, (reped the
mil!er) will you take my advice will l-t you into
a secret which perhaps you do not know; every
Englishtnan has he right and privilege 10 except
against any one juryman through tbs whole twelve
now do you insist upon your privilege, without civ
ling reason y by and, if possible get CHOSEN H.
his room, aud will do you all the service 10 my
Up wee" Accordingly when the clerk OF the court
had called over the jurymen, the plaintiff excepted
to one OF them by name: the Judge on the bench
was highly offended with this liberty. g Wha do
you mean, (says he) by excepting against that gen
ltieman -" mean, my lord, to assert my priv.
liege Englishman, without giving reason
Iwhy." The Judge, who had been deeply bribed, in
Iordrr to conceal il by show oil candor, and having
a confidence in the superiority of his parly-"Wel,
lSlr (sald he) you Claim your privilege in one in
stant = viii grant you favor: who would you wish
TO have IN the room OF that man excepted against ~
After a small time taken in considerations Nj
lord, (says he) | wish to have an honest man chose
in and he looks round the court" My lord, there
is that miller in the court, we will have him, it you
please Accordingly the miller was CHOSEN in
As as the clerk of the court had given them
| all their oaths little dexterous fellow came into
the department, and slips ten golden Carolus's into
the hands of eleven iurymen, and gave the miller
but FIVE He observed that they all bribed as
lwell as himself and said to his neghbor, in soft
Whisper, how much have you got q -" ten pieces
lsaid he He conce called what he hal himself The
cause opened by the plaintiffs counsel and all
the scraps OF evidence they could pick up were ad-
lduced in his favor.
The younger brother was provided with great
number of evidences and pleaders, all plentiiuly
bribed, well as the judge. The evidence deposet,
that they were in the sell same country where he
brother died, and saw him buried, The counsel
lors pleaded upon this actumusaled evidence, and
every thing went on with full tide in favor OF the
younger brother. The Judge summed up The evi.
dence with great gravity, and deilneraon, and now
=" Gentlemen OF the jury, (said hey lay your heads
together, and bring in your verdict you shall deem
most Jnst.o They waited but few MINUTES be fore
ltheY deteimined In iavnr Of the YOUNGER brother.