Historical Sketches of Statesmen Who Flourished in the Time of George III (Volume 2) (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.1860 Excerpt: ... As the alterations in our judicial system, which they are gravely pleased to call reform of the law, have now reached the Principality, we, its regular judges, are abolished, with its peculiar courts, and the judges of England are let in upon the Celtic countrymen of Howel-dha and King Arthur. It may be all very well for the state at large; for the individuals concerned, it is not quite so well. They give us--some of us, at least--retiring pensions; but we had much rather continue to work for our bread; and though the morsel was not very large, neither was the labour great. I used to reckon it child's play, compared to the Northern Circuit, which I quitted for it: and though the Courts were more dull than can easily be described, from the excessive stupidity of the people, both witnesses and jurors, the difficulty of getting anything like English out of them, or putting anything like sense into them, --the trifling nature of their endless disputes, the inextricable entanglement of their endless pedigrees, --yet the assizes lasted but a couple of days at each place, for the most part; and there was great pleasure in their clear air and fine scenery, especially after the House of Commons and Westminster Hall had fatigued one, and made London intolerable: their streams were pure and refreshing, to say nothing of their fish; and their hills were wild and sunny, without taking into account the good mutton they fed. The place of a Welsh Judge, therefore, compatible with practice at the bar, and a seat in Parliament, was much prized in our profession, at least by all who either wished to retire from part of their fatigue, or who had less work than they could wish. It was a preferment, too, which sometimes led to higher place. But I freely admit that my judgment resp...