THE JUSTICE.

And then, the JUSTICE,
In fair round belly, with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances,
And so he plays his part !

A civilized community implies the existence of Laws; the object of which is to regulate the passions, and direct the conduct of the subject. These laws in the first instance are produced in the Senate by the united wisdom of Parliament. Hereditary, nobles, and the representatives of a free people, are in our legislature employed to make certain regulations for the well-being of the nation. Without such restraints human affairs would soon run into confusion. Neither life, nor property, nor reputation, could have any security attached to them, were every individual suffered to do as he please, without any regard to the interests of those around him. But under wise restraints, every thing rests on its proper basis-every thing possesses its appropriate security. Just regulations, like the great laws of nature, operate silently, but effectually, for promoting the lasting happiness of the community:

Those few, as yet unknown to strife,
Whom TULLY's liberal spirit charms,
Foes to the silent paths of life,
The thirst of elocution warms;
Theirs be the task to mark with awe
The mighty edifice of Law!
And having caught the general view,
Trace every varied chamber through.
And may they scorn the vulgar tribe
Who sense, for formal gingle, slight;
Superior to the guilty bribe,

With learning grave, with wit polite.

By BLACKSTONE's bright example taught,

Watch o'er each private right with generous fear;

And with the unconquer'd love of FREEDOM fraught,
Preserve these claims to every Briton dear!

ROSCOE.

"When mankind agree to live together in society," says the late ingenious Robert Robinson of Cambridge, "it is necessary they should agree together in certain rules or Laws, by which they should conduct themselves to one another; and as all mankind, if they choose to make use of their reason, are able to judge what laws are most proper to answer the end of their associating together, which is self-preservation, so there is no need of a Divine interposition. Our SAVIOUR never once spoke to his disciples on this subject. If the inhabitants of one kingdom choose to commit the absolute disposal of their lives, liberties, and properties, to one person of one family—if the people of another country choose to resign themselves up to twenty families-and if the inhabitants of another part of

the world choose to keep the disposal of these invaluable blessings in their own hands—in all these cases praise is due for the exercise of reason, or blame for the disuse of it. CHRISTIANITY is no further concerned with civil government, than as it teaches its disciples to make a virtuous use of their reason. If men reason virtuously, they will be led to accommodate the preservation of themselves to the safety and happiness of their fellow citizens; and though CHRISTIANITY doth not teach a form of civil government, yet it doth teach all the virtues that are necessary to make men happy in society. When, therefore, we say Christ is the only governor of his disciples, we do not mean to disturb the civil order of making and executing Human Laws for the preservation of the lives, and liberties, and properties of mankind.”

Langhorne has thus well portrayed the duties of MAGISTRACY

The Social Laws from insult to protect,
To cherish peace, and cultivate respect ;
The rich from wanton cruelty restrain,
To smooth the bed of penury and pain :
Wrest from revenge the meditated harm,
For this fair JUSTICE raised her sacred arm,
For this the rural Magistrate of yore
Thy honours, EDWARD, to his mansion bore!

" Justice," says a judicious writer, "is of the utmost necessity to society. The universal practice of it, is one of the leading features in the fiction of

the golden age; the happiness of that period the poets place principally in this: that crimes and injuries were unknown! The imperfection and depravity of mankind render it impossible that that fiction should be realized.' Incorruptible justice in all THE MAGISTRATES of a nation, puts society in the state which approaches nearest to it. In that state injuries may be done, but they meet with quick and certain redress; crimes may be committed, but they pass not with impunity though they should be committed by the greatest ; every person feels that all his rights are safe; that if they be attacked by the wickedness of individuals, they will be protected by the integrity of THE MAGISTRATE: the sense of this security keeps every heart at ease, marks every face with serenity, and fills every life with comfort. Former ages have afforded instances of magistrates notoriously arbitrary and unjust; they were abhorred by their contemporaries, and the impartiality of history has stigmatized them, I may say, with deeper infamy than the vilest criminal that ever they condemned! There have been periods when such Magistrates have been sought for, supported, and encouraged by the tyranny of governors, or by the factious madness of the people; but these periods are, and ever will be, branded as the most disgraceful and infamous periods in the history of human society!"

Gerard. The administration of these laws in detail is for the most part given to Justices of the Peace; who

are persons of interest and credit, appointed by the king's commission, to keep the peace of the county where they live. They originated in the reign of Edward the Third, when they were denominated Conservators, or Wardens of the Peace; and were elected by the county. At a subsequent period the power of trying felonies was entrusted to them, and then they acquired the appellation of Justices. They are now appointed by THE KING's commission under the great seal; and are generally made, as to number, by the King's leave, at the discretion of the Lord Chancellor. At first it was provided that one lord, and three or four of the most worthy characters, with some learned in the law, should be made justices in every county. The number was afterwards restrained to eight in each county, but has greatly increased since its original institution. The statutes expressly direct respecting their qualifications—that they must be residents in the county, the most sufficient knights, esquires, and gentlemen of the law, and indeed of the best reputation, and most worthy men in the county. Thus every precaution seems to be given that proper persons should fill up this respectable office, and nothing be left undone for the welfare of the subject.

This preliminary account of Justices of Peace, becomes necessary to elucidate the fifth character which our great SHAKSPEARE has thought fit to introduce among his SEVEN AGES. Persons are rarely elevated to this office of magistracy until they