chased or received. Refusing
to pay, he was summoned to the Court of Rights. Not knowing how to act,
he applied to my informant, who, being under some obligations to his
relative, did not like to refuse.

"`I am afraid that you'll have to pay,' said the attorney to his
relation, when he heard the story.

"`But I never had them, I can swear to it.'

"`That's of no consequence; he will bring men to swear to the delivery.
There are hundreds about the Court who are ready to take any oath, at
half-a-crown a head; and that will be sufficient. But, to oblige you,
I'll see what I can do.'

"They parted, and in a day or two my legal acquaintance called upon his
relation, and told him that he had gained his cause. `Rather at the
expense of my conscience, I must acknowledge,' continued he; `but one
must fight these scoundrels with their own weapons.'

"`Well, and how was it?' inquired the other.

"`Why, as I prophesied, he brought three men forward, who swore to the
delivery of the goods. Aware that this would be the case, I had
provided three others, who swore to their having been witness to the
_payment of the bill_! This he was not prepared for; and the verdict
was given in your favour.'"

"Is it possible," exclaimed Newton, "that such a court of Belial can
exist in England?"

"Even so; and, as there is no appeal, pray keep out of it. For my--"

But here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Mr John
Forster, who had returned from his consultation.

We have already described Mr John Forster's character; we have now only
to introduce his person. Mr John Forster was about the middle height,
rather inclined to corpulency, but with great show of muscular strength.
His black nether garments and silk stockings, fitted a leg which might
have been envied by a porter, and his breadth of shoulder was extreme.
He had a slouch, probably contracted by long pouring over the desk; and
his address was as abrupt as his appearance was unpolished. His
forehead was large and bald, eye small and brilliant, and his cheeks had
dropped down so as to increase the width of his lower jaw. Deep, yet
not harsh, lines were imprinted on the whole of his countenance, which
indicated inflexibility and self-possession.

"Good morning, gentlemen," said he, as he entered the room; "I hope you
have not been waiting long. May I request the pleasure of knowing who
came first? `First come, first served,' is an old motto."

"I _