Ixiv INTRODUCTIOH 



as it were an hereditas jacens, without an owner, abandoned 

 in common to thofe whofe original title extended no fur- 

 ther than temporary pofTefiion, 



A number of law-fuits were the inevitable confequence 

 of this upon my return. One carried on with a very expen- 

 five obftinacy for the fpace of ten years, by a very opulent 

 and adtive company, was determined finally in the Houfe 

 of Peers, in the compafs of a very few hours, by the well- 

 known fagacityand penetration of a noble Lord, who, hap- 

 pily for the fubjects of both countries, holds the fir ft office 

 in the law ; and fo judicious was the fentence, that har- 

 mony, mutual confidence, and good neighbourhood has 

 ever fince been the confequence of that determination. 



Other fuits flail remained, which unfortunately were 

 not arrived to the degree of maturity to be fo cut off; 

 they are yet depending ; patience and attention, it is hoped, 

 may bring them to an ifTue at fome future time No impu- 

 tation of rafhnefs can poflibly fall upon the decree, fince 

 the action has depended above thirty years. 



To thefe difagreeable avocations, which took up much 

 time, were added others flill more unfortunate. The re- 

 lentlefs ague caught at Bengazi maintained its ground at 

 times for a fpace of more than fixteen years, though every 

 remedy had been ufed, but in vain ; and, what was wbrft 

 of all, a lingering diftemper had ferioufly threatened the 

 life of a moft near relation, which, after nine years confxant 

 alarm, where every duty bound me to attention and atten/d- 

 i. ance. 



