OCTOBER 377 



tions they were a most useful bulwark between the subject and 

 the Crown, but now their functions seem to be fulfilled by the 

 benches of magistrates whose duty it is to investigate every case 

 before it is sent to the Assizes. If Grand Juries departed into 

 the limbo of antiquated but ornamental institutions, taking with 

 them the office of High Sheriff, I do not think that the liberties 

 of Englishmen would be imperilled. I believe, however, that a 

 case in which the magistrates have declined to commit can be 

 reopened before the Grand Jury by any party who considers him- 

 self aggrieved, although in practice I never heard of this being 

 done. 



