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an indefinite prolongation of ease and office, when he found himself involved in the most tremendous political crisis that had occurred since

"York Grand Night, Sat. Mar. 16, 1782.

"Mr. Atty. Gen. Scott mention'd, that he had no sooner arriv'd in York than a play-bill was put into his hands, in which, to his great astonishment, he found the respectable names of many of his brethren on the Circuit. The play of the Clandestine Marriage was to be performed for the benefit of Mr. Back. Mr. Smith was to lay aside the peaceful gown and array himself in a military habit; and a very distinguishable and conspicuous part was to be perform'd by Mr. Taylor, who appear'd there in his proper character, not as the two former gentlemen, in such a masquerade dress that Mr. Atty. Gen. cou'd not produce any witness who cou'd take upon him to swear to the identity of their persons, but Mr. Law being called upon, depos'd that he saw Mr. Taylor appear on the stage in his bar wig acting the part of Counsellor Traverse in the Clandestine Marriage, and tho' Mr. Taylor acted the Counsellor then, as he always does, in an inimitable manner, yet the Court was of opinion that, by appearing on the stage in that habit, he rather lessen'd the Dignity of the Wig, and therefore fin'd him 1 Bottle. p1.

"Mr. Arden in a speech this morning had made use of the following expressions- No man wou'd be such a damn'd fool as to go to a lawyer for advice who knew how to act without it.' In this he was considered as doubly culpable -in the first place as having offended against the laws of Almighty God by his profane cursing, for which however he made a very sufficient atonement by paying a bottle of claret; and, secondly, as having made use of an expression which, if it shou'd become a prevailing opinion, might have the most alarming consequences to the profession, and was therefore deservedly consider'd in a far more heinous light for this last offence he was fin'd 3 Bottles. p1."

"Grand Court, Lancaster, April 1st. 1782.

"The Court being opened in due form, Mr. Atty. Gen1. Scott rose, and having reminded the Court of its vast superiority to every other Court in the world, and of the great respect that ought to be paid to it, said he felt himself much hurt at an indignity which he found had been offered it by one of its own members, which was John Lee, Esqr., a man in some degree known to every one that heard him, and whose example, if this offence remained unpunished, might be extremely dangerous to its very existence; for he informed the Court that, altho' the said Mr. Lee had made his appearance at Lancaster during the present assizes, yet so little had he regarded the dignity of this Circuit, that in obedience to the call of one Lord Rockingham, and somebody else not to be compared with this Court in point of eminence, he had actually left his business on the Circuit and neglected his duty here. That said Mr. Lee, he understood, had returned at least 50 gs. to his clients-and having done so much for them out of his great and uncommon generosity, Mr. Atty. Gen!. thot. that this Court, consistent with its own dignity, ought to compel him to do as much for its benefit, which might he said be some little atonement for the prodigious indignity he had put upon it-he therefore moved that said Mr. Lee shod. forfeit to the use of this Circuit at least as much as he had voluntarily refunded to its clients. But, in its great mercy, the Court thought proper to fine him no more than 5 gallons of claret."

"York Grand Court, held on Thursday the 18th July, 1782.

"On the motion of Mr. Atty. Gen1., the Court in its great mercy mitigated Mr. Lee's former fine of 5 galls. to 2 galls. pd.

"And was pleased to congratulate him on his resignation of the Solicitor GeneralsP., &c. 2 galls. p."

the Revolution of 1688-with almost a certainty of being immediately turned adrift with all his party. The rumours spread of the King's

(Entry interpolated long after the event.)

"Mr. Scott laid Mr. Davenport 5 guineas that Lord Ashburton will be Chief Justice of the King's Bench before he dies. The bett was made at York in the presence of Mr. Withers, but not being communicated to the Junior at that time, he had no opportunity of recording it sooner.

"Wm. Lambe, the Junior." 2

"Lancaster Grand Night, Saturday, 29th March, 1783. "Jno. Scott, Esqr. for having come into Lancaster the day before the Commission day, and having taken up his abode that evening at the King's Arms in Lancaster, fined one gallon, p. 17. 1s.

"York Grand Night, Thursday, 7th August, 1783.

£

"Mr. J. Scott was congratulated on his Patent of Precedence,
2 galls. pd.
"Mr. J. Scott was also congratulated on his Election for Weobly,
1 gal. pd.

s. d.

2 2 0

1 1 0

"Mr. S. Heywood was congratulated on coming in his new carriage, 1 gal. pd.

"Mr. J. Scott congratulated for the like, 1 gallon, på.

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"Carlisle Grand Night, Saturday, 23rd Augt. 1783.

2

"Mr. J. Scott moved that the two officers, the Atty and Sol". Gen1., having negligently performed their duty, it be entered on the Records that no thanks be voted them and that a Letter be written to them by the Jun., intimating that the Circuit has no further occasion for their services-and that Mr. Adam assist the Junior in writing the sd. Letter-Ordered accordingly."

"Carlisle Grand Night, Saturday, Augt. 14th 1784. "Mr. J. Scott convicted of travelling between Durham and Newcastle in company with Mr. Clayton an Attorney, fined 1 g". £1 1s. pd.

"Mr. J. Scott congratulated on being re-elected for Weobly, 1 gn. pd. £1 ls."

"Lancaster Grand Night, 25th Augt. 1784. "The following gentlemen were fined a bottle each for making a party to dine from the rest of the Circuit, at a different House than the Circuit House."

"The following gentlemen for a like offence commited at Durham-fined each a bottle:

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"Sir Thos. Davenport having seduced the under-named gentle. to dine at the

'Lord Melbourne, who was called to the Bar, and went to the Northern Circuit till the death of his elder brother.

2 The negligent officers were Wallace, A. G., and Lee, S. G., in whose places respectively Campbell and Law were now elected.

aberration of mind were unhappily confirmed by his Majesty's demeanour at a levée, which he insisted on holding in the end of October;

Bush in Carlisle, when a very good dinner was provided at the Circuit House, contrary to and in violation of the rules of the Circuit, was fined 1 gal". pd.

Scott fined 2 Bottles, pd.

"Mr. Serjt. Bolton for interrupting the Junior several times when he was speaking, was order'd by the Junior to come and sit by him, but the Serjeant positively refusing to obey, the Junior wou'd not proceed with the business of the Court until his order was complyed with, which the Serjeant still refusing, though repeatedly call'd upon, Mr. Scott, by force, brought the Serjt. to the Junior, and placed him in a chair at his right hand, where he sat until the Junior gave him leave to return to his former station.'

"Lancaster Grand Night, 27 March, 1785.

"N.B. The following gentlemen not answering to their names on the opening of the Court, but recording their appearance soon afterwards, were fined a bottle each, viz.

Jno. Scott, paid.

"Mr. Serjt. Bolton rose and moved (having first prefaced his motion with an eloquent address to the Court,) that John Scott, Esq. be congratulated in a bottle on his lively expectations of succeeding to a Directorship in the East India Company '—ordered accordingly-pd. 1 bottle.

"John Scott, Esqr. having pleaded guilty to a charge exhibited against him by an honble and learned member, of having condescended (in derogation of the honour of this Court, and in contempt of its great authority,) to ask leave of absence of the House of Commons, was fined 1 gll". paid. "Ordered accordingly."

66 Present,

Jo. Scott.

"Lent Assizes, Lancaster Grand Night, 1 April, 1786.

"Mr. Scott for having debased himself so much as to ask leave of the House of Commons to attend this Circuit, was fined one gallon, pd.

"Lancaster Grand Night, March 31st, 1787.

"Mr. Atty. Genl. moved a congratulation to Mr. Law, on the eloquent and complimentary speech made by Mr. Jce. Buller at the last Assizes at Lancaster, (which the Atty read to the Court) on his calling him within the Bar.

"Mr. Law was congratulated thereupon in five gallons, pd.

"Mr. J. Scott then moved the following Resolution:

"Resolved unanimously, by the rest of this Circuit (Mr. Law being excused from giving any vote,) That this Circuit do unanimously disapprove the manner in which Mr. Jee. Buller called Mr. Law within the Bar at Lancaster. And that Mr. Lee and Mr. Scott be desired to communicate the same to Mr. Jce. Buller in such a manner as they shall think proper.

"Which was carried in the affirmative.

1 In the County Palatine of Lancaster, where the Court sits in banco, the Judges exercise the privilege of calling counsel within the bar. Mr. Justice Buller, in conferring this honour on Mr. Law (afterwards Lord Ellenborough,) seems to have delivered an eloge upon him-which excited some jealousy.

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and on the 20th of November, the day to which parliament stood prorogued, the royal authority was in complete abeyance, his Majesty's intellect being much disturbed, and his person being under restraint.

"Mr. J. Scott having been appointed Chancellor of Durham, was congratulated thereupon by the title of His HONOUR,' in 3 gallons: by consent, pa. "Mr. Lee, as a suitor to His Honour's Court, was congratulated on the security of his title to his estate under the administration of His Honour. 1 gal. pd.”

"Lancaster Grand Night, Thursd. 23d Agt. 1787.

"It being moved and carried that Mr. Peters and Mr. Gerrard shod change wigs, and those gentlemen looking very handsome and to much advantage in conseqce of the change, and the whole Circuit feeling and expressing great joy and delight in the improvement that was thereby effected, Mr. Scott, with a view as well to the advantage resulting to those gentlemen, as to the evident pleasure wh the Circuit derived from their agreeable appearance, moved that the change be absolute,' which was carried nem. con.

"Messrs. Scott and Campbell having staid at Lincoln's Inn till they had finished the business there, and not till then setting out for the Northern Circuit, thereby deserting the Circuit for their own convenience, fined Mr. Scott, p1. 2 bottles.

"Mr. Campbell, 1 bottle, pd.

"Mr. Law,1 ever since the time that I have had the honour of being appointed by his Majesty's Commission (which I think is now between 8 and 9 years) one of the persons whose duty it is to administer the public justice of this kingdom, I have known you on many occasions distinguish yourself greatly at Westminster Hall, at Guildhall, and upon this Circuit, and more particularly since the commencement of the present assizes, where you have led several causes with great judgment, discretion, ability, and temper. Honour ought ever to attend distinguished merit, and as I am particularly happy in the opportunity my present situation affords me of doing justice to your's, I hope you will not resist the command I am about to lay upon you, since I am sure it will be equally to the advantage of the public, your clients, the honour of the profession, and your own credit. You will therefore take your seat within the Bar."

PROOF

To prove that, a few days before last August Assizes, witness saw the original in the possession of Mr. Justice Buller, and that witness verily believes the same was of Mr. Law's handwriting.

C. M.

Sam1. Heywood.2

"Mr. Atty. Gen1. read the resolution made by the last Grand Court at Lancaster respecting Mr. Justice Buller's speech in recommendation of Mr. Law, and moved that the ansr of Mr. Justice Buller be reported to the Cot.

"Mr. Scott, after ments. to the Cot. that the reason upon whch the resolution was founded, was that every man might rise and be rewarded only accs. to their talents, informed them it was the wish of both Mr. Lee and himself, who were honoured with the commission of conveying the resolution to the Judge, that it shod be communicated to him with as much temper, decency, and secrecy, as were consistent with the end of it—that it gave them infinite pain to find that the resolution had got into every newspaper before they had got ten miles from the place where it was made, and was published with the names of the persons whom

1 This is the supposed éloge-but must be greatly exaggerated. The mock charge is, that it had been written by Mr. Law himself.

2 Afterwards a Sergeant-at-Law, and Chief Justice of a Welsh Circuit.

Sir John Scott ably supported the course which the unpopularity of the Heir Apparent and his Whig favourites enabled Mr. Pitt successfully to take on this occasion, contrary (I think) to all the principles of

it concerned, and every particular. He complained much of the publication, and declared that if he had known or could have supposed it would have been divulged he would not have been one of the persons to have communicated it-that it was a laudable resolution, and known and approved by all the Circuits. That Mr. Lee and himself had however hesitated to deliver it, as they deemed it absolutely necessary that it should be menta, with a due degree of temper-that being divulged by any person present, it was defeated of its effect-that it was more mischievous to make the resolution and publish it in the manner this has been publd, than if no such resolution had been made—and that they thot the Judge's conduct detestable. On the best conson, they cod give the subject, they thot it right the Judge shod know the resolution in the manner directed by the Circuit, and, to execute the commission with which they were entrusted, they went in person to his house. They were denied admittance, as they expected they should be, but deled. for him at the door a letter inclosing the resolution wch they were satisfied he had received. That it had been the subject of much discussion amongst the twelve judges. However, no answer to it had been given. He concluded with laments that the best intention of the Circuit was counteracted by divulging the resolution in the public newspapers.

"Resolved that the thanks of the Court be given to Mr. Lee and Mr. Scott for their conduct in the execution of the commission entrusted to their care.

"Mr. Scott moved, and it was thereupon unanimously resolved, that it is the opinion of this Circuit that all the proceedings of the Grand Court be kept profoundly secret.""

1

"Lancaster Grand Night, Saturday, 29th March, 1788.

"Mr. Attorney Genl. began with informing the Court that the hint lately given at York, that if the Seniors should not commit very great offences they wo be fineable for their purity, had not been lost upon them; they had furnished him with many and great crimes. He observed that Mr. Scott, tho' counsel for many years with great business and great genius, had taken effectual care never to make dull speeches on the Circuit, and in consequence of his care had kept other bright geniuses from business. He had, however, to accuse him of the great crimes of making dull speeches elsewhere, and writing dull paragraphs, interfering with those who profess to write them, and deprive them of their bread. This charge he proved by the follg paragraph in a public newspaper A correspondent would advise Messrs. Scott and Hardinge to refrain a little from their daily puffs in the newspapers. If the learned gentlemen want clients, they may rest assured that this is not the way to procure them; - their paragraphs are as dull as their speeches.'

"Fined 1 gallon (pa) for his dull speeches,

and 1 gallon (pd) for his dull paragraphs.

"Mr. Sollr. Gen1. insisted that Scott was guilty of great huggery. He hugs the King-he hugs attorneys-he drank tea with two of them to-day. Taylor alledged that he was the greatest hypocrite in the world, that he is believed to be a great lawyer, but that he knows no more of law than he does of religion; this Taylor speaks of his own knowledge, have known the criminal 14 years."

1 Notwithstanding the ludicrous air of some of these proceedings, there really seems to have been a remonstrance sent by the Circuit to Mr. Justice Buller, and certainly it could not be permitted to the Judges publicly to puff a pet barrister. Hugging a Judge " might become a very serious offence.

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