CCXlll LIFE OF BACON. 



Not content with discharging the common duties of a 

 judge, he laboured, whenever an opportunity offered, to 

 improve the administration of justice. 



Law He carried into effect the proposal, which, when Attorney 



Reporters. Q enera ^ he had submitted to the King, that two legal re 

 porters, with an annual stipend to each of 100, should 

 be appointed, (a) He realized the intention, which he ex- 

 Ordi- pressed upon taking his seat, (b) by issuing ordinances for 

 Chancel- 11 ^ e better administration of justice in the Chancery, upon 

 which the practice of the court at this day is founded, (c) 



confess it not, then an information in the Star chamber, and he to remain 

 where he is till the hearing. But I do purposely forbear yet to have him 

 examined till the decree or agreement between him and my Lord Aubigny 

 (which is now ready) be perfected, lest it should seem an oppression by the 

 terror of the one to beat him down in the other. Thus I ever rest your 

 Lordship s true friend and devoted servant, FR. BACON, Cane.&quot; 



(a) See his proposal for amending the laws, vol. v. p. 349. &quot; It resteth 

 but for your majesty to appoint some grave and sound lawyers, with some 

 honourable stipend.&quot; 



In Rymer s Fcedera, vol. xvii. p. 27, may be found &quot; Ordinatio qua 

 constituantur les Reporters de Lege.&quot; It is directed to Sir Francis Bacon 

 and to Sir Julius Caesar. After stating the King s anxiety to preserve 

 the ancient law, and to prevent innovations, it has been thought good to 

 revive and renew the ancient custom, to appoint some grave and learned 

 lawyers as reporters, &c. 



In a letter to Buckingham of October 16, 1617, vol. xii. p. 334, he says, 

 &quot; I send also two bills for letters patents to the two reporters ; and for the 

 persons, I send also four names, with my commendations of those two, for 

 which I will answer upon my knowledge. The names must be tilled in 

 the blanks, and so they are to be returned.&quot; 



What might be the advantages of these appointments during the reign of 

 James, it may perhaps be unnecessary to inquire. In the present times, 

 when there is a liberty of unlicensed printing, the desire to diffuse know 

 ledge, and the facility to obtain pecuniary emolument, require not the aid 

 of government. Between the years 1800 and 1823, there were no less than 

 a hundred and eight volumes of reports published ; and they are now 

 much, very much, increased. 



(6) See vol. vii. p. 273. 



(c) For the Ordinances, see vol. vii. p. 256. 





