West-Jersey pioneer., 1866-04-14
SIR MATTHEW HALE.
INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES.

A GENTLEMAN of considerable fortul
: in England had two sons, one of who
: caused him much anxiety from h
dissipated character and conduct. II
elder brother at length asked permisic
of his father to visit some foreign clim
which was readily granted.
It was not long after he left HON
before the ship he sailed in was capture
by an Algerine corsair, and was take
prisoner and conveyed to Algiers, whel
he remained number of years witho,
an opportunity of sending to Or hearin
from home. At length he effected h
escape, and returned to his native Ian
very destitute; when he arrived at th
place where he was born, he was shocke
to hear that his er-tad been dea
several years, and his younger brothe
was in full possession of his estates. O
| this information he proceeded immediatel
to his brothers honse, where on hi
arrival he stated who he was, and recoun
ted his misfortunes.
| He was at first received with eviden
tokens Of surprise; but what was hi
astonishment, after his brother had re
covered himself, to find that ne 9Th
younger brother) was determined to trea
him as an impostor, and ordered him.t
quit his house, for he had a number O
witnesses to prove the death of his eldel
brother abroad.
Being thus received, he returned to thu
village, but met with no better success, as
those who would be likely to give hin
assistance were either dead or had gone
away. In thislpredicament he succeeded
in finding an attorney, to whom he re-
lated the circumstances exactly as they
stood, and requested his advice.
The attorney, seeing the desperate
state in which the affair stood, observed
that as his brother was in possession, he
would be likely to have recourse to very
unjustmeans, by suborning witnesses, etc,
but that he would undertake to advocate
the cause on condition that if he proved
successful he should receive a thousand
pounds (s5, 5,OOO); eff the contrary" said
the attorney, Gas you have nothing to
give, l shall demand nothing" To this
proposal the eldest brother agreed. 1t
should be remarked, that at this time
bribery and corruption were at such a
pitch that it was no uncommon thing for
judge, jury, and the whole court to be
perverted; and the lawyer naturally con-
cluded, this being the case, that the elder
brother stood but an Indifferent chance,
although he himself had no doubt of the
validity of his claim. In this dilemma,
he resolved to take journey to London,
and lay the case before Sir Matthew Hale
Bench-a character no less conspicuous
for his abilities than for his unshakeu
integrity and strict impartiality.
Sir Matthew heard the relation of the
circumstances with patience, as likewise
the attorneys suspicious of the means
that would be adopted to deprive the
elder brother of his right. He (Sir
Matthew desired him to go on with the
regular process of the law, and leave the
rest to him,
Thus matters stood till the day of trial
came on-a few days previous to which
Sir Matthew left home and travelled until
he came within a short distance OF the
town where the matter was to be decided;
when passing miller's house, he directed
the coachman to stop, while he alighted
from his carriage and went into the house.
After saluting the miller, he told him
that he had a request to make which he
hoped would be complied with, which was
to exchange clothes with him and allow
him to leave his carriage there until he
should return Gin day or two).
The miller at first supposed that Sir
Matthew was joking, but on being con-
vinced to the contrary, he would fain have
brought his best suit; but no, the chiei
justice, equipped with the miller's clothes
hat aud wig, proceeded on foot the follow
ing morning.
understanding the trial between the
brothers was to take place that day, h'
went early to the court hall, withou
| having communication with any one OF
the subject. By mixing in the crowd
he had soon an opportunity of having tn
elder brother pointed out to him.
He soon accosted him with, "Well, m.
friend, how is your case likely to go on z
~ do not know" replied he, 'but l an
afraid but badly, for have reason t.
believe that both judge and jury ar
deeply bribed; and for myself, havin
nothing but the justice of the cause t
depend on, unsupported by the propert
which my brother can command, l hav
but faint hope of succeeding"
/ He then recounted to the suppose
miller the whole of his tale, and inishe
by informing him of the agreement whic
had taken place between himself and tn
lawyer; although Sir Matthew was i
possession of the principal part Of tn
circumstances, yet the ingenious relatio
he now heard left no doubt in his min
Of his being the lawful heir to the esta'
[ in question.
Sir Matthew being determined to al
accordingly, he, with sthis view, begge
the eldest brother not to be discourage
"for,D says he, perhaps it may be in N
power to be of service to you. don
, know that l can, being as you see but
!: poor miller; but 1 will do what [ can,
h you will follow my advice, it can do yc
e no harm, and may be Of some use to you
The elder brother readily caught
anything that might afford the lea
prospect of success, and eagerly promise
to adopt any reasonable plan he nlgl
> propose.
"Well, them" said the pretended m
y ler, "when the names of the jury a
called over, do you object to one Of thel
n no matter which; the judge will perha
) ask you for your objections; let yo1
d reply be, 4 object to him by the righ
Y of an Englishman,' without giving reaso
of why; you will, then perhaps be ask