1810.] 
at last pronounced the anathema of the 
church, and the grand-general was exe 
communicated, ‘The prince primate, in 
his quality of metropolitan arcibishon, 
reversed the bishop’s sentence of excom- 
munication; and the apostolic nuncio, 
reversed the decree of the prince pri- 
mate. Whilst these squabbles occupied 
the diet, a horde of 60,000 Tartars set 
fire to the suburbs of Lemberg. The 
minor nobles could never forgive So- 
bieski the share which he had in the 
misfortures of king Michael. 
Although some suspicions may rest 
upon the memory of Sobieski, yet it must 
be allowed that he had a just claim to 
the title of Great, both by his military 
and political talents: endowed with great 
strength of body, and fire of genius, 
learned in the laws, ‘the interest of the 
people, and versed in warlike tactics; 
eloquent in the diets, and enterprising in 
the field, he possessed all the virtues, 
and all the qualities necessary to a war- 
rior, and to tiie monarch of a people so 
untractable as the Poles. Nobility and 
greatness of soul were visible in all his 
looks, attitudes, and actions. At the 
head of his armies, his confidence and 
intrepidity inspired and encouraged his 
soldiers: he required but a handful of 
men to destroy a multitude of his ene- 
mies; he possessed the envied talent of 
profiting by the slightest advantages; and 
arapid foresight, which made him look 
into, and provide against, unexpected 
dangers. Reading, and different studies, 
formed his chief amusement. He was 
master of several languages, and was 
fond of conversing with men of letters. 
His court was rather splendid, and at- 
tended by foreigners of the first distinc- 
tion, who came to study and learn the 
profession of arms. All the powers of 
Europe had their ambassadors at his 
court; amongst others, he also. enter- 
tained the ambassador of the king of 
Persia, who complimented him upon his 
victories, and claimed his friendship and 
alliance. 
Such was the last great king who reigned 
over Poland: after his death, the crown 
Was, as it were, put up to auction. The 
Prince de Conti, and Augustus, Elector 
of Saxony, were elected at the same time; 
the first had the wishes of the majority, 
the second supported his claims by his 
axon army ; he annulled the election of 
Conti, and in 1697 became possessor of 
thethrone, | Peg 
Summary of the Duties of Sheriffs. $38 
SUMMARY Of the DUTIES Of SHERIFFS; 
beiag a SYNOPSIS of SIR RICHARD 
PHILLIPS’S LETTER to the LIVERY of 
LONDON, 
NCIENTLY, all sheriffs were elect. 
ed annually by that portion of the 
people on whose behalf they were to 
serve the office; and by the constitution, 
they are popular officers app inted to 
execute the Jaws in tiie name of the so- 
vereign, with due respect to the privileges 
of the peopie. 
The general duties of the sheriff’s 
office ave six-fold: 
1. As executors of all writs and legal proe 
cess. 
2. As keepers of the prisons. 
5. As summoners of jurymen. 
4. As guardians of courts of law. 
5. As executioners of ail summary punishe 
- Ments. 
6. As presiding officers at the return of re- 
Presentatives to the Wittena Gemote, or 
Parliament, 
To perform these important functions 
usefully, effectively, and honourably, 
there are requisite in the person of the 
sheriff— . 
I. Public spirit, and independance of ming 
and fortune. 
II. Habitual sentiments of charity for the 
frailties, and of tenderness for the misfore 
tunes, oi their fellow beings. 
Til. An unshaken attachment to public lie 
berty, and to the person of the sovereign. 
IV. Persevering vigilance in the superin= 
tendance of every department of duty, taking 
nothing on trust, and leaving nothing to de= 
puties. 
V. An immovable respect for principles, 
never compromising them to gratify tempo- 
rary prejudices or practices. 
VI. Courage to resist the clamours and ins 
trigues of those who profit by abuses. 
The details of duty are implied by the 
duties tiemselves, but those of primary 
importance are 
41. To visit the goals frequently, and at 
unexpected seasons, unaccompanied by goalers 
or turnkeys. 
2. To ameliorate the condition of the pris 
soners and their families, aid to report to 
the executive government on those cases on 
which the law bears with unreasonable Severity. . 
3. To take care that no punishment is in« 
creased by any popular prejudice against the ” 
criminal, and that all the judgments of the 
law are executed in tenderness and mercy. 
4. To strike all juries in person, and to 
take especial care that the spirit of all the 
laws fer stiiking juries is acted upon. 
; 5. Te 
