CCviii LIFE OF BACON. 



degrees, this custom became a legal perquisite of the 

 judges; and it was converted into a present of money, and 

 required by the judges before the cause came to hearing: 

 Non deliberetur donee solventur species, say some of the 

 ancient registers of the parliaments of France. That prac 

 tice was afterwards abolished; the amount of the epices 

 was regulated; and, in many cases, the taking of them 

 was absolutely forbidden. Speaking generally, they were 

 not payable till final judgment; and if the matter were 

 not heard in court, but referred to a judge for him to hear, 

 and report to the court upon it, he was entitled to a pro 

 portion only of the epices, and the other judges were 

 entitled to no part of them. Those among the magistrates 

 who were most punctual and diligent in their attendance 

 in court, and the discharge of their duty, had most causes 

 referred to them, and were therefore richest in epices ; but 

 the superior amount of them, however it might prove their 

 superior exertions, added little to their fortune, as it did 

 not often exceed 50. and never 100. a year. The judges 

 had some other perquisites, and also some remuneration 

 from government; but the whole of the perquisites and 

 remuneration of any judge, except those of the presidents, 

 amounted to little more than the epices. The presidents 

 of the parliament had a higher remuneration; but the 

 price which they paid for their offices was proportionably 

 higher, and the whole amount received by any judge for 

 his epices, perquisites, and other remunerations, fell short 

 of the interest of the money which he paid for the charge ; 

 so that it is generally true, that the French judges admi 

 nistered justice not only without salary, but even with 

 some pecuniary loss. Their real remuneration was the 

 rank and consideration which their office gave them in 

 society, and the respect and regard of their fellow citizens. 

 How well does this illustrate Montesquieu s aphorism, 



