Page:Origin of metallic currency and weight standards.djvu/406

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No one can then doubt that the words [Greek: dikên ithyntata eipoi] can only refer to the judge.

The following account of a trial on the Gold Coast so well illustrates the principle of payment having to be made to the judges that I think it worth quoting. (Eighteen years on the Gold Coast of Africa, by Brodie Crookshank, Vol. I. p. 279, London, 1853.)

"When the day arrived for the hearing of Quansah's charge, a large space was cleanly swept in the market-place for the accommodation of the assembly; for this a charge of ten shillings was made and paid. When the Pynins (elders) had taken their seats, surrounded by their followers, who squatted upon the ground, a consultation took place as to the amount which they ought to charge for the occupation of their valuable time, and after duly considering the plaintiff's means, with the view of extracting from him as much as they could, they valued their intended services at £6. 15s., which he was in like manner called upon to pay. Another charge of £2. 5s. was made in the name of tribute to the chief, and as an acknowledgment of gratitude for his presence upon the occasion. £1. 10s. was then ordered to be paid to purchase rum for the judges, £1 for the gratification of the followers, ten shillings to the men who took the trouble to weigh out the different sums, and five shillings for the court criers. Thus Quansah had to pay £12. 15s. to bring his case before this august court, the members of which during the trial carried on a pleasant course of rum and palm wine."