CHAP. XIV.] AND RELIGION. 397 



ducted that Revolution, as well as the people 

 in general, were too wise to cast off the excel 

 lent laws of their forefathers. They, therefore, 

 declared, that the Common Laiv of England 

 should remain, being subject to such modifica 

 tions as might be necessary in the new circum 

 stances in which the peopie were placed. The 

 Common Law means, the ancient and ordinary 

 usages and customs of the land with regard to 

 the means of protecting property and persons 

 and of punishing crimes. This law is no writ 

 ten or printed thing. It is more ancient than 

 books. It had its origin in the hearts of our 

 forefathers, and it has lived in the hearts of their 

 sons, from generation to generation. Hence it is 

 emphatically called the Law of the Land. Juries, 

 Judges, Courts of Justice, Sheriffs, Constables, 

 Head-boroughs, Heywards, Justices of the 

 Peace, and all their numerous and useful powers 

 and authorities, make part of this Law of the 

 Land. The Boroughmongers would fain per 

 suade us, that it is they who have given us this 

 Law, out of pure generosity. But, we should 

 bear in mind, that this Law is more ancient, 

 and far more ancient, than the titles of even the 

 most ancient of their families. And, accord 

 ingly, when the present Royal Family were 

 placed upon the throne, there was a solemn 

 declaration by the Parliament in these words : 



