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wick family, he addressed a letter to the Earl of Halifax, On the necessity of impeaching the late ministry, which he followed up with a humorous satire upon Harley, entitled, A second Tale of a Tub, or The History of Robert Powell the Puppetshow-man. His next work was a Character of the Right Reverend Father in God, Gilbert, Lord Bishop of Sarum, and in the same year he wrote, in conjunction with Duckit, a Travestie of the first book of Homer, under the title of Homerides, a performance which secured them a joint place in the Dunciad :

"Behold yon pair, in strict embraces join'd; How like in manners, and how like in mind; Equal in wit, and equally polite,

Shall this a Pasquin, that a Grumbler write; Like are their merits, like rewards they share; That shines a Consul, this, Commissioner."

Book iii. v. 179.

Having obtained the appointment of Consul at Lisbon, he resided at that place several years, and during his stay, had a serious dispute with Lord Tyrawley the Ambassador: Mr. Burnet's mode of mortifying his Lordship was ingenious and singular. Employing the same tailor, he learned what suit Lord Tyrawley intended to wear on the birthday, and provided the same as liveries for his servants, appearing himself in a plain suit. On

his return to England, he resumed the profession of the law, and in the year 1723, published the first volume of his father's History of his Own Times. In 1736, he was called to the degree of Sergeant, and in 1741, on Fortescue Aland being appointed Master of the Rolls, succeeded him as one of the puisne Judges of the Common Pleas, in which Court he continued till his death in 1753. "He left behind him the character of an able and upright Judge, a sincere friend, a sensible and agreeable companion, and a munificent benefactor to the poor." (See the Notes to the Life of Bishop Burnet, in the Biogr. Brit.)

CHARACTER OF A PETTIFOGGER.

"He promotes quarrels, and in a long vacation his sport is to go a fishing with the penal statutes. He is a vestryman in his parish, and easily sets his neighbours at variance with the vicar, when his wicked counsel on both sides is like weapons put into men's hands by a fencer, by which they get blows, he money. His honesty and learning procure him the office of Under-Sheriff; which having thrice obtained, he does not fear the Lieutenant of the Shire; nay more, he fears not God. His pen is the plough, and his parchment the soil, whence he reaps both corn and curses. He is an earthquake that willingly will let no ground lie in quiet. Broken titles make him whole :-to have

half the country break their bonds were the only liberty of conscience. He would wish that no neighbour of his should pay his tithes duly, if such suits held continual plea at Westminster. He cannot away with the reverend service in our church, because it ends with the Peace of God." (Overbury's Characters.)

COKE'S ADDRESS ON BEING ELECTED SPEAKER

OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

"Your Majestie's most loving subjects, the Knights, citizens, and burgesses of the House of Commons, have nominated me, Your Grace's poor subject and servant, to be their Speaker. This their nomination hath hitherto proceeded that they present me to speak, before your Majesty; yet this their nomination is only as yet a nomination and no election, until your Majesty giveth allowance and approbation. For as in the heavens a star is but opacum corpus until it have received light from the sun, so stand I corpus opacum, a mute body, until your Highness's bright shining wisdom hath looked upon me and allowed me. great a change this is, to be the mouth of such a body as your whole Commons represent, to utter what is spoken, Grandia Regni, my small experience, being a poor professor of the law, can tell. But how unable I am to do this office, my present speech doth tell, that of a number in this House I am most unfit. For amongst them are

How

many grave, many learned, many deep wise men, and those of ripe judgments: but I am untimely fruit, not yet ripe, but a bud, scarcely blossomed : so, as I fear your majesty will say, Neglecta frugi eliguntur folia: amongst so many fair fruit ye have plucked a shaking leaf. If I may be so bold as to remember a speech, which I cannot forget, used the last Parliament in your Majesty's own mouth, many come hither ad consulendum, qui nesciunt quid sit consulendum, a just reprehension to many as to myself also, an untimely fruit, my years and judgment ill befitting the gravity of this place. But, howsoever I know myself the meanest, and inferior unto all that ever were before me in this place, yet in faithfulness of service and dutifulness of love, I think not myself inferior to any that were ever before me. And amidst my many imperfections, yet this is my comfort, I never knew any in this place, but if your majesty gave them favour, God, who called them to the place, gave them also the blessing to discharge it."

The Lord Keeper, having received instructions from the Queen, answered him.

"Mr. Solicitor, Her Grace's most Excellent Majesty hath willed me to signify unto you, that she hath ever well conceived of you since she first heard of you, which will appear, when her Highness elected you from others to serve her

self. But by this your modest, wise, and wellcomposed speech, you give her Majesty further occasion to conceive of you; by endeavouring to deject and abase yourself and your desert, you have discovered and made known your worthyness and sufficiency to discharge the place you are called to. And whereas you account yourself corpus opacum, her Majesty, by the influence of her virtue and wisdom, doth enlighten you, but much thanketh the Lower House, and commendeth their discretion in making so good a choice, and electing so fit a man. Wherefore now, Mr. Speaker, proceed in your office, and go forward to your commendation as you have begun. (D'Ewes's Journal, 459.)

LORD MANSFIELD'S CONDUCT DURING The riots.

The following account of the riots of 1780, and the conduct of Lord Mansfield on that occasion, is given by Miss Hawkins, ex relatione H. Hawkins.

"On the day when the riots began, I was in Westminster Hall, and the tumult was so great, that Mr. Dunning, who was then speaking in the Court of King's Bench, was unable to go on; and as the Hall was then filling with an immense crowd, who were making their way to block up all the avenues to the House of Lords, the Court adjourned. I afterwards saw the mob in irregular

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