NOTE 2 Z. 



but now m a dead vacation, when both the adverse party and his counsel are 

 out of town, and that I cannot possibly hear otherwise than with one ear, he 

 clamours against me (most uncivilly), and would have me, contrary to all con 

 science and honestly reverse the same. The substance of the order is not so 

 difficult and intricate, but your lordship will easily find out the equity or harsh 

 ness thereof. 



Sir Lawrence Hide makes a motion in behalf of one Strelley (a party whose 

 face I never saw), that whereas Sir John Michel had put a bill into this court 

 against him, and one Sayers, five years ago for certain lands and woods, (deter- 

 minable properly at the common law) and having upon a certificate betwixt 

 himself and Sayers, without the knowledge of the said Strelley, procured an in 

 junction from the last Lord Chancellor for the possession of the same, locks up 

 the said Strelley with the said injunction, and never proceeds to bring his cause 

 to hearing within five years. 



It was moved, therefore, that either Sir John s bill might be dismissed to a 

 trial at the common law, or else that he might be ordered to bring it to hearing 

 in this court, with a direction to save all wastes of timber trees (in favour of 

 either party, that should prove the true owner) until the cause should receive 

 hearing. 



Sir John being present in court, made choice of this last offer, and so it was 

 ordered accordingly. And this is that order, that this strange man hath so 

 often of late complained of to your mother, and now, as it seemeth, to your 

 lordship. God is my witness, I have never denied either justice or favour 

 (which was to be justified^) to this man, or any other, that had the least relation 

 to your good and most noble mother. And I hope your lordship is persuaded 

 thereof. If your lordship will give me leave (without your lordship s trouble) to 

 wait upon you, at any time this day, your lordship shall appoint, I would 

 impart two or three words unto your lordship, concerning your lordship s own 

 business. 



Aug. 8, 1622. 



That it is customary in the present times for suitors to solicit the judges, 

 every person who has any knowledge of human nature, or has been in any 

 judicial situation must well know. The hope of success and the belief in the 

 justice of his case are passions too strong to restrain suitors from attempting to 

 intercede with the judge. I have again and again heard Lord Eldon, and I 

 think I may say every chancellor, complain of these applications ; and as a 

 commissioner of bankrupts even, scarcely a month passes without some applica 

 tion being made to me. 



Suitors Presents. 



Was it customary for suitors in the time of Lord Bacon to make presents to 

 the judges 1 



1. Preface. 



2. Custom in former times. 



Homer. 

 Plutarch. 

 Merchant of Venice. 



3. Custom in foreign countries. 



Epices. 



4. Inquiry whether presents were made to judges in England. 



Before time of James. 

 21 Henry VI. 

 Sir Thomas More. 

 Time of James* 



