Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-02-16
MISCELLANY.
From the Christian Iateiligencsr.
San MATHEW HALE, CHIEF Jrs1IcE

SIN MATHEW HALE, CHIEF JCs1IcE
OF ENGLANn.
Sir Mathew Hale in writing 10 his chill
d:ea on the duties they were called to OBJ
serve, thus speaks of the Sabbath "Ibave
found by long an sound experience, that the
due observance Of this day, and the duties of
II, has been OF singular comfort and sdvan>
tage 10 me. The observance of the day has
ever had joined to it a blessing upon the rest
OF my time and the week that hath been
SD begun, hath been blessed, and prospered
to me. On the other side, when have been
Negligent OF The duties Of this day ii has been
unsuccessful, end unhappy 10 my own secu>
lar empioyments, so that might easily make
an estimate OF my success The Is eek follow
Ing by The manner of my passing OF this day
And this do not write lightly, or inconsld-
ersteiy. but upon long ind sound observa-
tion and experience"
Sir Matthew Hale, when chief Barsn of
the exehequer, was very exact and impartial
ia his administration ni justice He would
never receive any private addresses, or com
mendaiions from the greatest persons, in any
matter in which justice was concerned. One
= OF the fiIst peers of England went once TO his
chamber, and told him that having suit in
law to DE tried before him, he was then come
ia acquaini him with il, lha, he might the
NOttSi unhst IL WHICH IL SdIuo e
him in court upon which Sir Matthew in
terrupted him and said, he did not deal fair
ly 10 come 10 his climber about such affairs );
for he never received any Information of
causes but in open court, when both parties
we're To be heard alike, and would not suffer
him to go on. The duke went away and
complained of IL 10 the King, as rudeness
that wasnot 10 be borne. But lis majesty babe
him Content himself that he was no worse
used, and added, He would have used me
no better, had gone Ia solicit, for one ofmy
OWN causes A Circumstance TRANSFERRED in
one OF his circuits which was somew hat cen.
sured as an affeciaiion OF an unreasonable strict>
ross but II flowed from his exactness 10 the
rules he had Get himself A gentleman that
had trial at the assizes, had sent him buck
tor his table; when he heard his name at
the calling OF the trial he asked, if he was
not the same person who had sent him the
venIson.' To which the gentleman answer
ed, that ne never sold his vsnison, and that
ne had done nothing 10 him that he did no.
40 10 every Judge that had gone that circuit.
This was confirmed by several gentlemen
Then present but all would not do, for The
Iord Chief Baron had learned from Solomon,
that gilt preyenteth the ways of Judy
fnent,' and therefore he would not suffer the
trial togo on until be had paid for the pres
en', Upon which The gentleman withdrew the
record. And at Salisbury, the Dean and
ChaPier, having accordingly TO custom pre-
senteo him with six sugar loaves in his cir
Gun, ne would not acceP, their present, be-
ing ABOUT 10 try cause OF theirs. II is said
OF Ch,et Justice Hale, that he frequently in
FHsd bis poor nieghbors 10 dinner with him.
lie sent provisions from bis own table 10
'no'e who were sick and could not come,
6D0 he CId Eoo liz ba,, -. a.. 4
parisb, but gave supplies to the neighboring
parishes as occasion required. lie always
treated The old, The needy, and The sick with
zoe greatest tenderness and care. Common
oeggsTshe considered in another view. II
any OF these met him on his walks or came
70 ms door, he would ask such az were capa-
ne OF working, why they vent about 50 idle,
utbey answered II was because they could
gel no employ, be would sometimes send
them TO some fisld, TO gather all the stones In
II and lay them in heap, and pay them IL