Amelia -- Volume 1

f a facetious discourse

ions; the lieutenant-governor, vulgarly named the first turnkey; Miss Matthews, Mr. Booth, M

e said, "It is very lucky this gentleman happens to be present; I do assure you, madam, your cause cannot be in abler hands.

ill do the best in my power. Come, madam, do not be discouraged; a bit of manslaughter and cold iron, I h

nt of the law, si

bish of little use, about indictments, and abatements, and bars, and ejectments, and trovers, and such stuff, with which people cram their heads to little purpose. The chapter of evidence is the main busin

said the lady, "you are much too learn

candle: I commend your prudence. I shall know

o suspicion of any person here. I hope we

though I never saw the lady in my life, she need not be shy of us, d-n my eyes! I scorn to ra

. I once put a knife into a cull myself-so my service to you, madam

you would talk on some other subject, and

e-woman doth not care to talk on this matte

day in the week. Good woman! I don't use to be so treated. If the lady says such another word to me, d-n me, I will darken her daylights. Marry, come up! Good wo

thority, and put an end to any further dispute. Soon after which, the company broke up,

r case to Mr. Murphy, whom she admitted to be her solicitor, though

e must put out of it; I mean the carrying the penknife drawn into the room with you; for that seems to imply malice prepensive, as we call it in the law: this circumstance, therefore, must not appear against you; and, if the servant

aw; but I have heard, in case of stabbing, a man may be indicted

cted contra formam statutis; and that method, I allow yo

swered Booth, "I know

t we could have had five or six witnesses to have proved the first blow, cheaper than, I am afraid, we shall get this one; for when a man knows, from the unhappy circumstances of the case, that you can procure no other witness but himself, he is always dear. It is so in all other ways of business. I

at I would save my life at the expense

uch as some people are apt to imagine in it; for he need not kiss the book, and then pray where's the perjury? but if the crier is sharper than ordinary, what is it he kisses? is it anything but a bit of calf's-skin? I am sure a man must be a very bad

nswered with a smile, "Sir, you are a great casuist in these matters; but we need argue no longer concerning them; for, if fifty pounds would save my life, I assure you I cou

ar losing it. I have known many a man very brave and undaunted at his first commitment, who, when busines

if the lady can command no more money than that little she mentions, she is to be commended for her unwillingness to part with any of it; for, to be sure, as she says, she will want every farthing of that to live like a gentlewoman till she comes to her trial. And, to be sure, as sweet as life is, people ought to take care to be able to live sweetly while they do live; besides, I cannot help saying the lady shews herself to be what she is, by her abhorrence of perjury, which is certainly a very dreadful crime. And, thoug

y; "and one subornation of perjury would sit heavier on m

and certainly it can never be imagined that a lady who behaves herself so handsomely as you have done ever si

room; after which nothing passed between the remaining persons worth rela

aders have made on the same occasion, we shall omit them. At last, Miss Matthews reminding her companion of his promise of relating to

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