John Taylor, &c. [the others named above] are to be two) and that for the future shall be committed to you from time to time, to be heard, examined, and scrutinised, with due regard according to the allegations and proofs and your own sound discretion to discuss and finally determine, and to command a full execution thereof. Therefore we command, that with regard to the premises you truly and diligently act and execute everything with effect. By the tenor of these presents, We give it as a firm command to all and singular our officers, ministers, and subjects, whom it may concern, that in all and singular the premises they be intent and obedient in the execution thereof, as it becometh. In testimony whereof, &c. Witness the King at Westminster, this eleventh day of June [1529]. CHANCERY DIALOGUES, No. I. An Economical Reformer and an Equity Draughtsman. Econ. Ref.-You noticed me in Lincoln's Inn Hall yesterday and to-day. Eq. Dr.-Yes; and I wondered what could bring a Member of Parliament amongst us. Econ. Ref.-I wished to get some information respecting the kind of business that engages the Lord Chancellor's attention. Eq. Dr.-Yesterday and to-day it was a point of practice. Eq. Dr.-The Chancellor, although a most able man, is unacquainted with the practice of our Court. Econ. Ref.-He decided the point in your favour. Eq. Dr.-O! no; he has referred it to Mr. Econ. Ref.-Who is Mr. -? Eq. Dr.-A Clerk of Records and Writs well versed in all the mysteries of Equity procedure. Econ. Ref. So that-after you barristers, or as you style yourselves, equity draughtsmen-after you and your opponent have consumed two days of the time of the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain, the thing will be determined by a Clerk? Eq. Dr.-Just so. Econ. Ref.-How many days in the year does the Lord Chancellor sit in the Court of Chancery? Eq. Dr.-In the House of Lords and the Court of Chancery together about 180 days. Econ. Ref.-But how many days in the Court of Chancery? Econ. Ref.-He does not sit more than 130 days in the Court of Chancery? Eq. Dr.-No. Econ. Ref-He receives £10,000 a year for his Chancery duties? Eq. Dr.-Yes. Econ. Ref.-Out of the monies of the Chancery suitors? Eq. Dr.-Yes. Econ. Ref. That makes £76 per day for each of the 130 days? Eq. Dr.-It does. Econ. Ref.-Then he will receive for the labours of yesterday and to-day £152? Eq. Dr.-He will. Econ. Ref.-Out of the monies belonging to the Chancery suitors? Eq. Dr.-Yes. Ought the Lord Chancellor to have his Time occupied in hearing trifling Legacy and Foreclosure Suits, and other Matters of that sort? THE ensuing is an extract from a work published by the Editor in 1828-I would ask, Ought the Lord Chancellor, ought the Speaker of the House of Lords, a principal member of the Cabinet, the first Temporal Peer, and the Keeper of his Majesty's conscience, with lay and ecclesiastical patronage equalled by that of few sovereign princes, and an income more than double that of any other judge in Europe, to have his time occupied in hearing trifling legacy and foreclosure suits, and other matters of that sort, that may as well be disposed of by any barrister of three years' standing who pleads before him? It is clear he ought not. Hercules ought not to hold the distaff. What is the Interest of every Nation. MEN of great abilities are scarce in states and kingdoms in general. It is therefore the interest of every nation to have the government, and every branch of the civil administration, so wisely contrived that every man of middling capacity and reputation may be fit for the highest post. -Short notes from old writers. PARLIAMENTARY AND POLITICAL MISCELLANIES. No. III. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. Declaration and Agreement of the Society established under the Title of "The Friends of the People," April, 1792. DREEMASONS' TAVERN, 26th April, 1792.-At a general ineet FREE ing of the Society established on the 11th instant, under the title of "The Friends of the People," associated for the purpose of obtaining a parliamentary reform, William Henry Lambton, Esq., M. P. in the chair, Received a report from the committee appointed by the resolution of the 19th instant. William Baker, Esq., M.P., Chair- | Philip Francis, Esq., M.P. man. Charles Grey, Esq., M.P. Samuel Whitbread, Jun., Esq., John Wharton, Esq., M.P. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Esq., Hon. Thomas Maitland, M.P. M.P. George Rous, Esq. John Godfrey, Esq. William Cunninghame, Esq. Read a draught of an address to the people of Great Britain contained in the report of the committee. Resolved unanimously, That the said address is approved of and adopted by this meeting. Resolved unanimously, That the declaration already agreed on, together with the said address, be printed and published, with the [D] names of the subscribing members, and that the committee be instructed to print and publish the same.* DECLARATION. A number of persons having seriously reviewed and considered the actual situation of public affairs and state of the kingdom, and having communicated to each other their opinions on these subjects, have agreed and determined to institute a society, for the purpose of proposing to Parliament and to the country, and of promoting to the utmost of their power, the following constitutional objects, making the preservation of the constitution, on its true principles, the foundation of all their proceedings. First. To restore the freedom of election, and a more equal representation of the people in Parliament. Secondly. To secure to the people a more frequent exercise of their right of electing their representatives. The persons who have signed their names to this agreement think that these two fundamental measures will furnish the power and the means of correcting the abuses, which appear to them to have arisen from a neglect of the acknowledged principles of the constitution, and of accomplishing those subordinate objects of reform which they deem to be essential to the liberties of the people, and to the good government of the kingdom. Names in Alphabetical Order of the Persons who signed the foregoing Declaration and Agreement. *The Address will be inserted in a subsequent Number of this work. |