personal interests, his family connexions, his friendships, or his known or latent enmities. In all such cases, he ought magnanimously to retire from the bench at sessions, or to call one or more of the neighbouring magistrates into his jurisdiction. He should remember, that his character will be in a state of hazard whenever his predilections as a private man, a politician, or a theologian, interfere with the independence of his judgments as a magistrate.

XXII.

A paternal magistrate will do more good in his neighbourhood by his advice and example, than by the force of authority and coercion. He should lend his countenance to the virtuous, and his protection to the unfortunate; but, above all, he should set a good example in his own conduct, and exact it from all in authority beneath him; because he can never punish with effect any vices which he practises himself, or tolerates in his agents; and their combined example will prove more powerful than all the instruments of judicial terror.

XXIII.

A justice of the peace, holding a commission from a constitutional king of England, and his authority under the mild laws of England, will always feel that his power is conferred for the purpose of increasing the happiness of all who are subject to his cognizance, and within his jurisdiction; that he is the guardian of the public morals, a conservator of the peace, and protector of the public and personal rights of the people; and that it much depends on the wisdom and prudence of justices of the peace, whether the social compact which binds the people into one nation under one ruler and one code of laws, serve as a CURSE or a BLESSING.

GOLDEN RULES FOR SHERIFFS.

I.

ANCIENTLY all sheriffs were elected annually by that portion of the people in whose behalf they were to serve the office. For five centuries they have been returned by the crown ; but, by the constitution, they still are popular officers, appointed to execute the laws in the name of the sovereign, with due respect to the privileges of the people.

II.

The general duties of the sheriff's office are six-fold:

1. As executor of all writs and legal

process.

2. As keeper of the prisons.

3. As summoner of jurymen.

4. As guardian of courts of law.

5. As executioner of all summary punishments.

6. As presiding officer at the return of all

representatives to the Wittenagemote, or

Parliament.

III.

To perform these important functions usefully, effectively, and honourably, there are requisite, in the person of the sheriff,

1. Public spirit, and independence of mind and fortune.

2. Habitual sentiments of charity for the frailties, and of tenderness for the misfortunes of his fellow-beings.

3. An unshaken attachment to public liberty, and to the person of the sovereign.

4. Persevering vigilance in the superintendance of every department of duty, taking nothing on trust, and leaving nothing to deputies.

5. An immoveable respect for principles, never compromising them to gratify temporary prejudices or practices.

6. Courage to resist the clamours and intrigues of those who profit by abuses.

7. Benevolence in examining into the cases of prisoners, and reporting on them with zeal to proper authorities.

IV.

To visit the gaols frequently, and at unexpected seasons, unaccompanied by gaolers or turnkeys, taking care that imprisonment includes no punishment beyond safe custody.

V.

To ameliorate the condition of the prisoners and their families, and to report to the executive government those cases on which the law bears with unreasonable severity.

VI.

To take care that no punishment is increased owing to any popular prejudice against the criminal, and that all the judgments of the law are executed in tenderness and mercy.

VII.

To strike all juries in person, and to take especial care that the spirit of all the laws for striking juries is acted upon.

VIII.

To guard against cabals, prejudices, intrigues, and improper influence in juries, by