9 Oct r 1807

Lords Delegates

After Ch. │ │ Advantages

But here by the supposition what authority the cognizance of the Petition belonged /belongs/ to, is already by the supposition, fore-determined and foreknown: so that of all this formality /solemnity/ the use of it had any, would have been to pick mens pockets, first and for that purpose, imposing upon their understandings.

Lord Hale was in truth one of the best, if not the very best, of lawyers: But his Lordship was a lawyer, and as such, enamoured of formalities particularly /in?/ of useless ones, and not averse to fees.