Page:New winter evening's companion, of fun, mirth, and frolic.pdf/18

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he, lay-your heads together, and bring in your verdict as you shall deem most just. They waited but a few minutes before they determined in favour of the younger brother. The judge said, Gentleman, are you agreed, and who shall speak for you. We are agreed, any lord, replied one, our foreman shall speak for us lord, replied the miller, we are not all agreed. Why, says the judge, in a very surly manner, What's the matter with you? What reasons have you for disagreeing? I have several reasons, my lord, replied the miller; the first is, they have given to all these gentlemen of the jury ten broad pieces of gold, and to me but five; besides, I have many objections to make to the false reasonings of the pleaders, and the contradictory evidence of the witnesses. Upon this the miller began a discourse that discovered such vast penetration of judgement, such extensive law, and expressed with such energetic and manly eloquence, that astonished the judge and the whole court. As he was going on with his powerful demonstrations, the judge. in a surprise of soul, stopped him, Where did you come from, and who are you? I came from Westminster-hall, replied the miller, my name is Matthew Hale, I am Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. I have observed the iniquity of your proceedings this day, and therefore come down from a seat which you are no ways worthy to hold. You are one of the corrupt parties in this iniquitous business. I will come up this moment, and try the cause all over again. Accordingly Sir Matthew went up with his miller's dress and hat on, began with the trial from its very original, searched every circumstance of truth and