spoken one word against me; here is no treason of mine done; if my Lord Cobham be a traitor, what is that to me?

Att. All that he did was at thy instigation, thou viper, for I thou thee, thou traitor.

Raleigh. It becometh not a man of quality and virtue to call me so. But I take comfort in it, it is all you can do.

Att. Have I angered you?

Raleigh. I am in no case to be

angry.

C. J. Popham. Sir Walter Raleigh, Mr. Attorney speaketh out of the zeal of his duty for the service of the king; be valiant on both sides."

It has been thought that Shakspeare alludes to Coke's expression, for I thou thee, &c. in Twelfth Night, where he makes Sir Toby, in giving directions to Sir Andrew for his challenge to Viola, say, "If thou thousts him some thrice. it may not be amiss." But the phrase was probably a common one at that day.

Amongst other unmannerly and abusive epithets which the Attorney General bestowed upon Raleigh, he called him a "damnable atheist ;" an accusation to which Sir Walter's philosophical pursuits had probably subjected him. When, after the lapse of several years, Sir Walter Raleigh was brought up for judgment, Coke was Chief Justice, and, as such, it became his duty to pass sentence on the man against whom he had been

so intemperate an advocate. On this occasion, he appears to have been willing to make some amends for the violence and cruelty of his former conduct, and to wipe out some of the aspersions which he had cast on the character of the prisoner. He especially alluded to the imputation of irreligion, which he declared to be unfounded. The conclusion of Sir Edward Coke's judgment, in this case, is one of the best specimens which remain of his style of speaking.

"I know that you have been valiant and wise; I doubt not but you retain both those virtues, for now you shall have occasion to use them. Your faith hath heretofore been questioned; but I am resolved you are a good Christian, for your book, which is an admirable work, doth testify as much. I would give you counsel; but I know you can apply unto yourself far better than I am able to give you; yet will I, with the good neighbour in the Gospel, who finding one in the way wounded and distressed, poured oil into his wounds, and refreshed him, give unto you the oil of comfort, though in respect that I am a minister of the law, mixed with vinegar. Sorrow will not avail you in some kind; for were you pained, sorrow would not ease you; were you afflicted, sorrow would not relieve you; were you tormented, sorrow could not content you; and yet the sorrow for your sins, would be an everlasting comfort to you.

You must do as that valiant captain did, who, perceiving himself in danger, said, in defiance of death, Death, thou expectest me; but maugre thy spite, I expect thee.' Fear not death too much, nor fear not death too little; not too much, lest you fail in your hopes; not too little, lest you die presumptuously. And here I must conclude with my prayers to God for it, and that he would have mercy on your soul." And so the Lord Chief Justice ended with these words, "Execution is granted." (2 How. State Trials, 85.)

MODE OF RAISING A BENEVOLENCE.

In the twelfth part of Coke's Reports, (which was not published until after the author's death,) there are some remarks, under the title of " Exactions of Benevolence," which prove how much the writer was opposed to this illegal mode of levying taxes. He cites from Holinshed and Stow, an instance of an attempt made by Edward IV. to raise money in this manner : The success and event of which was, that whereas the king called this a Benevolence to please the people, yet many of the people did much grudge at it, and called it a Malevolence." In one case, indeed, he succeeded better.

66

"The king called before him at several times, a great number of the wealthiest of his subjects, to declare to them his necessity, and his purpose

to levy war for the honour and safety of the kingdom, and demanded of each of them a certain levie of money; and the king treated with them with such great grace and clemency, and with such gentle prayer, to assist him in his necessity, for the honour of the realm, that they very freely yielded to his request, for the honour and safety of the realm. Among the rest there was a widow of a very good estate, of whom the king merely asked what she would willingly give him, for the maintenance of his wars? By my faith,' quoth she, 'for your lovely countenance sake, you shall have twenty pounds,' which was more than the king expected. The king thanked her, and vouchsafed to kiss her; upon which she presently swore, he should have twenty pounds more." (12 Report, 119.)

MARRIAGE OF LORD KEEPER GUILFORD.

The matrimonial speculations of Sir Francis North, (Lord Keeper in the reign of Charles II.) are related in so amusing a manner by his brother, Roger North, that we shall be pardoned for inserting the whole narrative.

"After he was called to the bar, he applied himself closely to the attendance and operations of the law, and wanted refreshment, such as was reasonable to be enjoyed at vacant times; and he was weary of being at the loose hand as to com

pany, which he could not have, at all times, to his mind. He was no clubster, listed among good fellows; and often passed his evenings in walking, or solitary, (if it may be so termed, when he had only me with him,) rather than join in any promiscuous society, or of such as were not either in his friendship, or distinguished by some notable talents that recommended them and thought it would be an ease to his mind to know continually, after his business was done, what was to become of him; and that he thought best provided for by a family and house-keeping; which is never well settled without a mistress, as well as a master of a family. These considerations inclined him to look out for a suitable match. And, to say truth, his constitution required it as much as any man's whatever; but, being excessive modest, and by resolution virtuous, he was solicitous and ardent in the pursuit of it, and not a little encouraged by a manifest feeling he bad of success in his profession, which dismissed all fears of the lean wolf. And not being insensible of a fair character in general, which, together with some quality and happy relation that fell to his share, he fancied he might pretend to as good a fortune in a match, as many others had found, who had less reason to expect it; but without some advancement in that way, he was not disposed to engage himself.

“That which sat hardest upon his spirits, was,