The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-11-24
4 Gclclt Gtorp.
The Widows Ordeal.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

WlScf-and It's institutions vary with Its
years, and mark its growing wisdom; and
none more SO than it's modes of investi-
eating truth, and ascertaining guilt or
innocence. In its homage, when man
was yet fallible being, and doubted the
accuracy OF his own intellect, appeals
were made to heaven in dark and doubt
full cases of atrociOus accusation.
The accused was required to plunge
his hand in boiling oil, or to walk across
NJ hot plough shares, or to maintain his
4.ccnce IN armed fight and listed field,
krson or by champion. If he passed
ordcals unscathed, he stood acquit-
"a, and the result was regarded us Il
n crdict from on high.
1t is somewhat remarkable that, in the
gallant age of chivalry, the gentlcr sex
should have been most frequently the
subjects of these rude trials and peril
Gus ordcals; and that too, when assailed
in their most delicate and vulnerable
part-thcir honor.
In the present very old and enlightcn-
ed age of the world, when the human in
tcllect is perfectly competent to the
management of it's own concerns, and
needs no special interposition of heaven
in its affairs, the trial by jury has SUI
percedcd these superhuman ordeals; and
the unannity of twelve discordant minds
is necessary to constitute verdict
Such unaninity, would, at first sight,
appear also to require a miracle from
heaven, but it is produced by simple
device of human ingenuity. The twelve
jurors are locked up in their box, there
to fast until abstinence shall have 50
clarified their intellccts that the whole
jury panel can discern the truth, and
concur in unanimous decision. One
point is certain, that truth is one and
immutable-until the jurors all agree,
they cannot all be ri ght.
1t is not our intention, however, to
discuss this great judicial point, or to
question the avowcd superiority of the
mode of investigating truth, adopted in
this antiquatcd and very sagacious era.
1t rs our object merely to exhibit to the
curious reader, one of the most mcmora-
bic cases of judicial combat we find in
the annals of Spain. 1t occurred at the
bright commencement of the reign, and
in the youthful, and as yet, glorious days
of Roderick the Goth, who subsequently
furnished his fame at home by his mis-
deeds, and finally lost his kingdom, and
his life on the banks of the Gandalctc,
in that disastrous battle which then gave
up Spain a conquest to the Afric Moors.
The following is the story:
There was once upon Il time certain
duke of Lorraine, who was acknowledged
throughout his domains to be one of the
wisest princes that ever lived. In fact,
there was no one measure adopted by
him that did not astonish his privy coun-
sellers and gentlemen in attendance; and
he said such witty things, and made such
sensible speeches, that the jaws of his
chamberlain were well nigh dislocated
from laughing with delight at one, and
gaping with wonder at the other.
This very witty and exceedingly wise
potcntatc lived for half century in sim
gle blcssedncss; at length his oourtierS
began to think it a great pity so wise
and wealthy prince Should not have 4
child after his own likeness, to inherit
his talents and domains; so they urget
him most respectfully to marry for the
good of his estate, and the welfare of his
subjects. q .,.-....... ......
He turned their advice over in his
mind some four or five years, and thel
sent forth cmissaries to summon to hi.
court all the beautiful maidens in thu
land, who were ambitious of sharing thu
ducal crown. The court was soon crowd
cd with beauties of all styles and com
plcxions, from among whom he choos'
one in the earliest budding other charm
and acknowledged by all the gentlemen
to be unparalleled for grace and lowell
ness. The courtiers extolled the Duk
to the skies for making such choice
and considered it another proof of hi
great wisdom. ssThe duke" said they
"is waxing little too old, the damscl
on the other hand is a little too young
if one is lacking in years, the other ha
supcrabundance; thus want on ont
side is balanced by an excess on tn
other, aud the result is II well-assortc
marriage"