268 SPEECH TO SIR JOHN DENHAM. 



the principal part of the law, the first-born or &quot; pars 

 prima&quot; of the law ; and therefore in conserving or 

 maintaing that, you conserve and maintain the law. 

 There is not in the body of man one law of the head, 

 and another of the body, but all is one entire law. 



The next point that I would now advise you is, 

 that you acquaint yourself diligently with the reve 

 nue ; and also with the ancient records and prece 

 dents of this court. When the famous case of the 

 copper-mines was argued in this court, and judged 

 for the King, it was not upon the fine reasons of wit ; 

 as that the King s prerogative drew to it the chief 

 &quot; in quaque specie :&quot; the lion is the chief of beasts, 

 the eagle the chief of birds, the whale the chief of 

 fishes, and so copper the chief of minerals ; for these 

 are but dalliances of law and ornaments : but it was 

 the grave records and precedents that grounded the 

 judgment of that cause ; and therefore I would have 

 you both guide and arm yourself with them against 

 these vapours and fumes of law, which are extracted 

 out of men s inventions and conceits. 



The third advice I will give you hath a large ex 

 tent ; it is, that you do your endeavour in your place 

 so to manage the King s justice and revenue, as the 

 King may have most profit, and the subject least 

 vexation : for when there is much vex ation to the 

 subject, and little benefit to the King, then the ex 

 chequer is sick : and when there is much benefit to 

 the King, with less trouble and vexation to the sub 

 ject, then the exchequer is sound. As for example ; 

 if there shall be much racking for the King s old 



