1823 Feb y. 28.

Greece. J.B's Observations on particular Articles.

Judiciary resumed

But if there were a sort of man on whom a note of eminent untrustworthiness should be put for the instruction and guidance of a Jury, it should be the hireling advocate. When the man, impregnated to the very marrow with the practice of mendacity and the love of injustice, is raised to the Judicial Bench, an appropriate masquerade dress is put upon him, and the silly and deluded multitude behold in him justice personified. Oftener has the Black mare been rendered white by dipping, than the hireling advocate converted, by a seat on the Judicial Bench, into a lover of Justice. Every now and then in England, passes the following scene. Advocate or Judge to witness - Do you believe in the existence of a God? Witness to Judge - Yes - Judge, thereupon, to Advocate - Proceed with him, he is a good witness - Advocate or Judge to Witness - Do you believe in the existence of a God? - Witness - No: Judge - Out with him: his testimony is not receivable. Thus, then, if the Atheist will, to so indefensible a question, give a false answer, he is admitted: but, if his regard for truth be such that he will not give a false answer, he is held out as an object of reproach,- a man, to whose testimony no regard can safely be given, and, as such rejected. But to the man of habitual mendacity, any such man of conspicuously and painfully manifested veracity, is an object of the deepest hatred and vengeance; and, to gratify this malignant passion, he scruples not to make sacrifice of the injured party, whose misfortune it has been to have need of the testimony of this too veracious witness.