BOOK II. CHAP. VII. II 



too much extended, nnd has too heavy an afpeft to pleafe the eye. 

 The brick columns of the arcade are much too maffive and ckmilV, 

 appearing as it" they were intended to luftaia lome enormous 

 weight, but liitherto fupporting only a flight floor, which is fo 

 leaky as not to anfwer the purpofe of fcreening the offices and paf- 

 fengers underneath from a tranfient fliower. The pediment in the 

 centre, and the projedion of the Speaker's and jury rooms at each 

 end, are fbme little relief. But, takiiig the whole ftru6lure to- 

 gether, and reflecting on the vaft Turns of money that have been 

 thrown away upon it, we may juftly queftion, whether confum- 

 mate didionefty or ignorance was the chief architedl [cj. 



On 



[f] Fiom the grand or fupreme law-court wliich is luid here (if the chrfi in a^lon be for a fum 

 above 300/. llerling), an appeal lies to the court of errors ; or, if fentence of death be pafled for 

 felony, the appeal is to the governor alone, who tor all fuch crimes, except murder and treafon, 

 can ratify or annul the judgement of the court as he pLnfes ; but, in the two lall- mentioned cafes, 

 may either refpite the ofic^iidcr till the royal pleafure il.creupcn be known, or order immediaie 

 execution. The grand court is held tour times a year, e^ich feffion continuing three weeks. Till 

 the year 1758, all caul'es of more ihaii ti.rty flnllings thr.ughout the iiland were tried in this 

 town; when an aft was palled for dividing the iliand into three circuits, in each of whith alfizes 

 are held the like number of times in the year. From the courts that are held in Surrj' and Corn- 

 wall, a 'vtmrc lies in fome cafes to that in Spanifli Town. .All informations upon aiJlions for breach 

 of the laws of trade and navigation, dutier, cuftoms, imports and exports, quit-rents, and efcheats, 

 are triable in the fjpreme court only. And, in all actions for the properly in llaves or iheir free- 

 dom, or in ejedment, dower, partition, titles atfecling lands or tenements arifing in the counties 

 of Cornwall or Surry, the judges of the fupreme court may direfl the iffue to be tried at St. Jago 

 de la Vega bv a iNIiddlefex jury. From the grand court the appeal goes on, as before related, to 

 the court of errors ; and, alter judgement given in the coui t ot errors, the party call may travel 

 with his caufe before the king in council at home : he mulf, indeed, after the decifion in the court 

 of errors, it it affirms the fentence of the grand court, pay into the complainant's hands th« 

 amount of the adion, he giving fecurity to the defendant tor re-payment of it in cafe the fen- 

 icirce fhould be reverfed at hoiriC. 



It is true, that by thefe appeals it has been fuppofed thatjullice is more hkely to be admi- 

 niftered ; but they are neverthelefs highly prejudicial with regard to the immoderate delay which 

 neceflitrily enfues : tor, let the evidence be ever fo clear and conclufive, an action of debt upou a 

 fimple bond may be brought by the defendant (alter judgement has been obtained upon it in the 

 grand court) befoie the governor and council in the court cf errors; where it may poifibly 

 tlumber a whole year, or more, before it can be heard and decided, and before the plaintiff can 

 receive any juftice or redrefs ; for, how delirous foevcr the go\ernor himfelt may be to hallen 

 judgement, it is not always in his power to do it. He may advertife the holding fuch a court 

 from time to time, but to very little purpofe, unlefs a quorum ot his council are pleafed alfo to 

 attend and affifl him ; who are fometimes interefted in the matter in dilpute, either as principals or 

 collaterals, and confequently fo far difqualified to prefide upon it as judges. I have before ob- 

 ferved on the inconveniences which attend this appc.ii-court ; and fhall therefore only add, that it 

 has long been the fincere wifh of all the inhabitants (except the partizans of knaveiy and litiga- 



C 2 tioni 



