228 QUARTER SESSIONS. 



he loved nothing so much as a good row. Scarcely one lived under 

 him who was not his master, and there were a few old tenants whom 

 he dared not attack. 



With such a variety of characters, it need not be wondered at that 

 Sir Charles had even some curious causes to try ; and as he did not 

 possess all the patience that was necessary for his office, we may na- 

 turally expect, that, at times, his claimants of justice went away 

 as they came, unless it was carrying with them an additional load of 

 vexation. It was in the middle of the summer that the worthy 

 magistrate was residing for six weeks at a watering-place, far away 

 from the din and clamour of the justice-room ; neither did he seem 

 in any hurry to return, although constable Jeroms had written some 

 very urgent letters. However, matters appeared rather beyond 

 trifling with, and Sir Charles had given orders for his departure, not 

 in one of his mildest moods, the next day, after having read the fol- 

 lowing letter from his pestering deputy: 



Bingham, June 8, 1821 . 



" Honorable, Sir If we hevent ' a justice day' afore another 

 week the town will be turned tupsy turvy ; old Lawcock is going it 

 like a devil, an Doctor Getsi her almost killed a man ; and Jacky 

 Rattles, her tamed a regular Turk ; and Trevor and Hardcastle hev 

 had a strange piece of work, and cumplaints are cuming about John 

 Wood daily. I hev no peace on my life, Joe Straton has caused 

 a man almost his death by rubbing. An Arnal bothers me every 

 day. The fellows seem as if they could'nt liv wehout justice 

 an law, an warrants, an if your honour doesen't come, the town will 

 be unlivible in very shortly ; we hev much business to do. Come, 

 your honour, and do justice, and oblige your honor's most very 

 humble, sincere sarvant, 



GEORGE JEROMS." 



" D m them, altogether," muttered the magistrate, as he threw 

 the letter into the fire, and arose to pace the apartment, " I'll commit 

 them every one a parcel of quarrelsome devils ! they can't let 

 a gentleman enjoy a moment's peace. And I must go there, and sit to 

 hear their tales for the principal part of a day ; and, curse them, they 

 have become so hardened as to care no more what I say to them than 

 a stone ; but they shall sit in the stocks for a few hours, and we'll see 

 what that'ill do ! they shall sit in the stocks ! I'm too easy 

 too good they're as bad as a parcel of schoolboys, when their 

 master's back's turned ; but it's in 'em ; it's th' nature o' th' beast !" 

 (pulling the bell) u Waiter, bring me half a pint o' th' best brandy, 

 some hot water and sugar ; and tell your master to let me have my 

 bill immediately ! I'll justice them, 'pon my word and honour, 



will I ! I'll commit them ! transport 'em ! hang em ! d them !" 



And he sat down to enjoy his brandy, after having worked him- 

 self into a perspiration, and swore until he was good humoured 

 again. 



In a day or two after this, a paper was posted upon the town-hall 

 doors, which announced that, 



" All persons wot hev any business whatsomever, are to attend at 



