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justice (Michelet.) In a direction given for build* 

 ing the judge's seat, instructions were given to build 

 up on three sides, with bars in front; lest some rude 

 cavalier should violate the authority of the judge. The 

 Areopagus, truly the most perfect of the courts of for- 

 mer times, is often referred to as an example. But how 

 shall we reconcile its incongruous judgments with the 

 idea of law founded on reason and the rights of men. 

 I will cite a few. A poor bird, from fear, had taken re- 

 fuge in the bosom of a Senator, and was stifled by him. 

 The assembly unanimously decreed his punishment; 

 for said they, he who has his heart shut against pity, 

 should not be allowed to have the lives of citizens at 

 his mercy. A won^an was brought before this court 

 accused of procuring death by poison. The proof 

 was, that loving tenderly an individual, she endeavor- 

 ed to gain his affections by a philter of which he died. 

 She was dismissed without punishment, the court 

 deeming her more unfortunate than culpable. On 

 another occasion, a woman, exasperated at the barbari- 

 ty of a second husband and his son, who slew a youth 

 she had borne a former spouse, determined to poison 

 them both : The Areopagus, after a long advisare, or- 

 dered the prosecutor and accused to appear again be- 

 fore the court, one hundred years from that time. But 

 how shall w^e harmonise the judgments of these cases, 

 in which nature and mercy softened the firmness of the 

 judge, with that which I now relate? A leaf of gold 

 having fallen from the crown of Diana, it was taken 

 by an infant. The child was so very young, that it 

 was necessary to make trial of its discernment. The 

 leaf of gold, some dice €ind other play things, and a 

 piece of money, were presented to it. The child gave 



