APPENDIX, No. V. REQUISITION From the County of Bedford to Lord Russell, inviting him to stand for the County. My Lord, Wee have imparted your letter to all those your Lordshipp's servants whome wee could in soe short a time gett togeather, and wee humbly. offer our opinions, (with submission to your better judgment,) that it is heigly conducing to the interest of our country to begg the honor to be represented by a person who bares soe great figure both in the publique affares, and in your present station here amungst us; and wee cannot but believe it must be some litle advantage to your future securing of the affections of this whole county, which you have soe well ingaged by your meritts. Wee neede not hint to your Lordshipp how ready some persons may be to make use of all ocasions to spread jealosys amongst the people to advance there owne intrest, by your leaving of us, especially at a time when they have, under there owne hands, petitioned your Lordshipp for it, and have received the honor of your acceptance of it, which, by an assurance under your owne hand, was communicated to the whole body of the county, at their generall assizes. Aug. 31, 1679. Your Lordshipp's Most humble servants, WILL. SPENCER. WM. BOTELER. APPENDIX, No. VI. CHARACTERS OF THE JUDGES. (FROM NORTH'S LIVES.) Sir William Scroggs. THIS Sir William Scroggs was made Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench while his lordship (Lord Keeper Guildford) sat in the Common Pleas. He was of a mean extract, having been a butcher's son, but wrought himself into business in the law, was made a serjeant, and practised under his lordship. His person was large, visage comely, and speech witty and bold. He was a great voluptuary, and companion of the high court rakes, as Ken, Guy, &c. whose merits, for aught I know, might prefer him. His debaucheries were egregious, and his life loose; which made the Lord Chief Justice Hales detest him. He kept himself very poor; and, when he was arrested by King's Bench process, Hale would not allow him the privilege of a serjeant; as is touched elsewhere. He had a true libertine principle. He was preferred for professing loyalty: but Oates coming forward with 1 a swinging popularity, he (as Chief Justice) took in, and ranted on that side most impetuously. It fell out, that when the Earl of Shaftesbury had sat some short time in the Council, and .seemed to rule the roast, yet Scroggs had some qualms in his politic conscience; and, coming from Windsor in the Lord Chief Justice North's coach, he took the opportunity, and desired his lordship to tell him seriously, if my Lord Shaftesbury had really so great power with the King as he was thought to have. His lordship answered quick," No, my lord, no more than your footman hath with you." Upon that, the other hung his head, and considering the matter, said nothing for a good while, and then passed to other discourse. After that time, he turned as fierce against Oates and his plot, as ever before he had ranted for it; and, thereby, gave so great offence to the evidenceships, the plot witnesses, that Oates and Bedloe accused him to the King, and preferred formal articles of divers extravagances and immoralities against him. The King appointed an hearing of the business in council, where Scroggs run down his accusers with much severity and wit; and the evidences fell short; so that, for want of proof, the petition and articles were dismissed. But, for some jobs in the King's Bench, as discharging a jury, &c. he had the honour to be impeached in Parliament, of which nothing advanced. At last he died in Essex-street, of a polypus in the heart. During his preferment, he lived well, and feathered his nest; for he purchased the manor of Burntwood, in Essex. It was observed of him, that every day, in his house, was holyday. His lady was a very matronly good woman; she died long before him. He had one son, who lived not many years after him; for he was a sufferer in the wars of amour He had two daughters, one of whom was married to Sir Robert Wright, and lived to see his misfortunes; for at the Revolution he was clapt up in Newgate, and there died. The other daughter, some time the widow of Mr. Kilbie, a lawyer, married the truly noble Charles Hatton, and may be yet living. Lord Chief Justice Pemberton. The Lord Chief Justice Pemberton was a better practiser than a judge; for, being made Chief Justice of the King's Bench, he had a towering opinion of his own sense and wisdom, and rather made, than declared, law. I have heard his lordship say that, " In making law, he had outdone King, Lords, and Commons." This may seem strange to such as see not the behaviour of judges, and do not consider the propensity of almost all to appear wiser than those that went before them. Therefore it is |