Memoirs of the Life Sir Samuel Romilly (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840. Excerpt: ... unes de vos reflexions; j'ai encore bien plus d'envie de vous entendre sur la France, que je n'avois de besoin de vous parler de la Suisse. Recevez, Monsieur, &c. Letter LVII. FROM MR. TRAIL Dear Romilly, Paris, Oct. 18. m9. You will see that Mirabeau has proposed a law for the suppression of riots, similar in many respects to our Riot Act. It is intended by him to be much milder; and Dumont wishes extremely to have an accurate statement of the English law on that subject. I believe he has the Riot Act; but I think there are many cases in which the civil magistrate employs force, and military force where he has it, without going through the forms prescribed by that statute. If the mob are actually committing a felony, may not the magistrate, or even any person whatever, disperse them by force? In 1780, immediately after the riots, Lord Mansfield stated the law in the House of Lords, which appeared to many to give more power to the magistrates than it was supposed did legally belong to them; but the Chancellor approved of every thing he said: and if you could transmit to Dumont a copy of that speech, which you will find in the Parliamentary Register, he will be greatly obliged to you. The sooner you do it the better. some of your reflections; I have a still greater desire to hear from you about France, than I had to write to you about Switzerland. I am, &c. For an account of Mr. Trail, and the origin of Mr. R.'s intimacy with him, see infra, note to letter of Sept. 21. 1791. I have seen but little of the National Assembly, and I am afraid that I shall see little more. It is supposed the members will not venture to regulate the admission of strangers by tickets, or in any other way; but will permit the vacant space to be filled by such as come first. I was...