[ 13 ]
that those nine Archons were the Judges skilled in the laws, and explained it to their numerous fellow-citizens, who were convened to decide upon the law and the fact. This is a proof of the antiquity of juries. Now for the utility.
To establish this, my Lord, beyond doubt or cavil, let us hear what your late worthy and learned brother (Sir William Blackstone) mentions on this great and consequential point. I do not quote this found and skilled Lawyer for your information or satisfaction, but for that of the public. Treating of the utility of Juries, Sir William says, "The trial by jury, called also per pais, or by the country, hath been used time out of mind in this nation, and seems to be coeval with the first civil government thereof. Some authors have endeavoured to trace the original of juries up as high as the Britons themselves, the first inhabitants of our island. But certain it is, that they were in use among the earliest Saxon colonies, their institution being ascribed by Bishop Nicholson, to Woden himself, their legislator and
