The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-05-07
from1hc Daily American.
Anecdotes or Lord Holt.

in Oxfordshire,< was born Sir John Holt, one
Of the most eminent OF the Sages Of Westmip-
lister Hall. His vast legal requirements, both
of the Roman Civil and the common laws of
England rendered him famous as an advocate
at the Courts, while bis integrity and upright
ness as Judge caused him to be honored
and revered as the Chief Justice Of the Cour.
Of Kings Bench FH s4s r
He passed some seven or eight years of his
boyhood at the Free School OF the town of
Abington,s where it was said he was
remarkable only for being idle and mis-
chievous, statement wholly inconsistent with
his subsequent career. ssThe boy is the future
Of the man,''-though there may be SUPER
vening habit of dissipation which may be con-
quered,-the devoted applic alton to business,
the unwearied perseverance, and the uniform
sef-control which characterized Sir John
Holt, could only have beer the result of sub
mission 10 strict discipline IN early youth.
While at Oxford, where he was entered a
fellow commoner of Oriel College, in his 10th
year, ca. d. 165s,) he was guilty Of great
Irregularities. His biographers represent him
as dissipated in bis habits and associating
with low and dissolute characters. He took
Henry ", when the boon companionof FaI
staff, as his favorite model, and in his own
conduct copied faithfully that Of the
reckless Prince. In order to procure mears
to defiay the expenses of frequent revelings,
young Holt and his companions were in the
habit of taking purses onthe highway. Many
years after, when he was chief Justice and
going the Circuit, he recognized man. capi-
tally convicted before him, as one Of his own
accomplices in a ROBBERY. lie visited him in
gaol and inquired after the rest of the gang,
and received this answer: " All !my Lord, they
are all hanged but myself and your Lord
ship.t ~ saa tsiiy nss1 t~sbGta y1gT
II is related that on one occasion, daring
the years OF his Juvenile extravagance and fol-
ly, he, in company with his reckless asssoci-
ates, had prolonged their unlicensed rambles
around the country until their purses were all
utterly exhausted. After consulting for
some tins together, they determined to part
company and endeavor to make their way sim
gly, each by the exercise of his individual
wit. Holt, pursuing his scperate route, came
to quiet little village and proceeded immedi-
ately to the inn, where, putting bold air on,
he committed the keeping of his horse 20 the
hostler, and bespoke the best supper and bed
.he house afforded. Strolling accidently into
the kitchen, he observed the daughter Of the
landlady, a girl oi some fifteen years, shaking
with an ague fit; on inquirlng of the mother
how long she had been i'll, he was told nearly
year, and that, too, in spite of all the assis
.tance that could be rendered bv nearly half-a-
dozen physicians, at an expense, which, the
poor widow declared. had well nigh ruined
her. Suddenly Holt was deeply interested for
the young lady, though the motive, probably,
was different from that which often influences
young minds. Nevertheless, we are told that
the young lady's personal appearance was
somewhat prepossessing, being rather of q
slight, delicate form. with a pleasant face,
blue eyes and liz ht hair, cut short, after the
manner of the times, and withal her sorrow
ful countenance was enough in itself to ava
ken an interest and sympathy IN the breast Of
a youngster, even the future Chief Justice
He shrugged his shoulders, and shaking hi!
head at the mentisa OF doctors, informed the
old lady that her daughter should not be trou.
bled with another fit. He then took bit oi
parchment, and scrawling upon it some Greek
characters, directed it to be tied upon the girls
wrist and left there until she was cured. BY
good luck or through tie aid Of the imagina.
ton, the ague-f, did not return again while
Holt remained sojourner at the inn. Fol-
more than week he tarried as guest at the
village inn, regarded as a person Of extraordi-
nary and miraculous abilities; and when or
the point of taking his lea.e, he called for hi,
bill with as much confidence as il his pockets
were lined with guineas. But the grateful
landlady would not take farthing from him,
and exceedingly regretted her inability to dis.
charge the obligation she was under to him
for effecting so remarkable cure. =
Nearly forty years afterwards, when chiei
Justice, at the assizes Of the same county q
decrepid old woman was indicted before him
for witchcraft, and was charged with
being in possession of Q charm by means
Of which she could spread disease among the
cattle or cure those inflicted.
The Chief Justice ordered the formidable
instrument Of sorcery to be handed to him and
there. enclosed in many a fold Of Girty linen,
to his great surprise he found the identical
parchment with which, many years before, he
had played offo one Of his boyish pranks. The
mystery Of the charm OF the witch was soon
explained to the Jury, and the poor creature
acquitted; and the long neglected debt was fully
discharged.
He was called to the bar at the early age of
81, and his youthful appearance seemedto have
been adverse to his success, and for a long
while he was truly briehess barrister. Blu
once initiated into practice, so great was his
skill, and so ready his mother wit, and so per-
fectly familiar in all branches Of the law, that
business poured in upon him rapidly.
He was for long while member Of Par.
lament where he nobly advocated the princi-
Piles Of his constituents; but hisAEue position
was that OF Chief Justice, which importan,
and responsible position he filled for more than
% years.
BY reason Of the family feuds tina. disturbed
the domestic life Of Lord Coke, we 'are now
in nosseaSion Of those invaluable institufes IN