PREFACE. XXVU 



in the same obscurity and perplexity in 

 which I found it, let it be remembered, that 

 I am the first who has undertaken the Her- 

 culean task, and am therefore entitled, at 

 least, to the approbation of the Pubhc for 

 my good intentions, however they may have 

 fallen short of success. 



To reduce the number of horse causes 

 is a matter of some moment to the interests 

 of morality, inasmuch as it must tend to 

 check that system of infamous and shame* 

 less perjury, Avhich too often exhibits its 

 daring front in our courts, in trials of this 

 nature. hi in r 



The witnesses are generally of the l0\yest 

 order in society, consisting, perhaps, of the 

 very dregs of the stable. On men of this 

 description, what impression can be ex- 

 pected from an oath, administered in a 

 negligent and slovenly manner, and gabbled 

 over with such rapidity, that not a single 

 word, except the last, can be distinguished 

 or understood. In adverting to this abuse 

 of a most sacred obligation, I mean not the 

 smallest disrespect to our constituted legis- 

 lative authorities. The abuse, like many 

 others, may have crept in unpcrceived ; but 

 surely there can be no good reason why the 



