high
treason, concluded as follows:

"The eyes of England are upon us--reverse this conviction, and you let
loose a rebel band upon the country, ripe for treason, stratagem, or
spoil--you overturn the finest order of society in the world; henceforth
no man's property will be safe, the laws will be disregarded, and even
the upright, talented, and independent magistracy of England brought
into contempt. But I feel convinced that your decision will be
far otherwise--that by it you will teach these
hot-headed--rebellious--radical grocers that they cannot offend with
impunity, and show them that there is a law which reaches even the
lowest and meanest inhabitant of these realms, that amid these days of
anarchy and innovation you will support the laws and aristocracy of this
country, that you will preserve to our children, and our children's
children, those rights and blessings which a great and enlightened
administration have conferred upon ourselves, and raise for Tomkins
of Tomkins and the magistracy of the proud county of Surrey, a name
resplendent in modern times and venerated to all eternity."

Here Bumptious cast a parting frown at Jorrocks, and banging down his
brief, tucked his gown under his arm, turned on his heel and left the
court, to indulge in a glass of pale sherry and a sandwich, regardless
which way the verdict went, so long as he had given him a good quilting.
The silence that followed had the effect of rousing some of the dozing
justices, who nudging those who had fallen asleep, they all began to
stir themselves, and having laid their heads together, during which
time they settled the dinner-hour for that day, and the meets of the
staghounds for the next fortnight, they began to talk of the matter
before the court.

"I vote for reversing," said Squire Jolthead; "Jorrocks is such a
capital fellow." "I must support Boreem," said Squire Hicks: "he gave me
a turn when I made the mistaken commitment of Gipsy Jack." "What do
you say, Mr. Giles?" inquired Mr. Tomkins. "Oh, anything you like, Mr.
Tomkins." "And you, Mr. Hopper?" who had been asleep all the time. "Oh!
guilty, I should say--three months at the treadmill--privately whipped,
if you like," was the reply. Mr. Petty always voted on whichever
side Bumptious was counsel--the learned serjeant having married his
sister--and four others always followed the chair.

Tomkins then turned round, the magistrates resumed their seats along the
bench, and coming