Page:The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy (Volume 3).pdf/106

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[100]

gree of inveteracy in their manner of kicking it, as if the laws had been originally made for the peace and preservation of mankind:—perhaps a more enormous mistake committed by them still,—a litigated point fairly hung up;—for instance, Whether John o'Nokes his nose, could stand in Tom o'Stiles his face, without a trespass, or not,—rashly determined by them in five and twenty minutes, which, with the cautious pro's and con's required in so intricate a proceeding, might have taken up as many months,—and if carried on upon a military plan, as your honours know, an action should be, with all the stratagems practicable therein,—such as feints,—forced marches,—surprizes,—ambuscades,—mask-batteries, and a thousand other strokes of generalship which consist in catechising at all advantages on both sides,—mightrea-