Gleanings of Biography. Marshal General Keith. THE Ruffians and Turks, in their war before the last, having diverted themselves long enough in murdering one another, for the sake of variety, thought proper to treat of a peace. The commiffioners for this purpose were, Marshal General Keith and the Turkish Grand Vifier. These two personages met, and the interpreters of the Russ and Turkish betwixt them. When all was concluded, they arose to separate; the Marshal made his bow with hat in hand, and the Visier his falam, with turban on his head: But when these ceremonies of taking leave were over, the Vifier turned fuddenly, and coming up to Keith, took him freely by the hand, and in the broadest Scotch dialect, spoken by the lowest and most illiterate of our countrymen, declared warmly, that it made him unco happy, now he was fae far frae hame, to meet a countryman in his exalted station. Keith stared with all his eyes; but at last the exclamation came, and the Vifier told him, My father, faid he, was bell-man of Kirkaldy in Fife, and I remember to have seen you, fir, and your brother often occasionally paffing. This strange anecdote, I received some years ago from a respectable and learned Baronet of Scotland, who told me that he had it affirmed to him for truth, but did not remember his authority; -perhaps some of your readers may be able to solve this difficulty, or contradict the story upon good authority. I am, Sir, Your humble servant,/ SIR, To the Editor of the Bee. On the Utility of Law-fuits. HAVING occafion lately to hear the minister of a neighbouring parish, I was somewhat staggered at the general intendment of his fermon, wherein he solicited, with a becoming fervour, his auditors to live in peace and harmony with each other, and to drop and forbear connection with lawyers and lawfuits. The immediate corollary which I naturally drew from this doctrine, was, that he meant to starve the attorney. On the mind of one, who, from speculative principles, had receded from being a candidate for the clerical gown, and had betaken himself to the profeffion of the law, with a firm resolution to maintain his integrity, this earnest request of his ghostly director could not fail to make a deep impreffion. If, says I to myself, if I am of a " profession which the depravity of mankind has ren" dered indifpenfible in society, so is the parson. Law"suits must be founded in material justice, for their 66 66 object is justice. The oppreffion of the petty-fogger "extends to the purse, or at farthest to perfonal duress; " but the zeal of the polemic and sectary has led him "to the effusion of blood. Are the labours of the lawyer as serviceable to the community as the skill " of the artist or the industry of the labourer?" Here I confess I was puzzled for an answer; but a little reflection made me exclaim, in the language of Falstaff, " It is no fin for a man to labour in his vocation." The refult of my researches was, that a multiplicity of law-fuits is in several respects beneficial to mankind; and furely, he who contributes to promote the general welfare, merits the retribution of applaufe. VOL. III. C Meekness and charity are the striking traits of the Christian character. The haughty pagan trampled, with exultation, on his prostrate foe: But the humble votary of Christianity is taught to bewail the misfortune of an enemy. The mild precepts of our holy religion are calculated to refine the morals, to improve the understanding, and to better the heart: And perhaps it was owing to their intrinfic value, and superior tendency to civilize mankind, that the refinement and polished manners of the moderns have so far exceeded those of the ancient inhabitants of Italy and Greece. What befits the man of morality, is not surely repugnant to the functions of a Christian. Both ought to feel the philanthropic glow; both ought to yield to the sympathetic sensations of friendship and benevolence. It is the duty of both to heal the differences of mankind: But surely neither can be justly censured for aiding the injured in their claims of redress of wrongs. That an individual has prostituted his profession; that hundreds have fuffered by the chicanery of the terriers of the law, can no more be objected to the liberal profeffor, than the assumed prerogative of the Roman pontiff in the remission of fins, can vilify religion, or the petty larceny of a taylor can stamp a stigma on the trade. Having thus premised, I shall proceed to state some of the advantages which mankind derive from lawsuits: And, 1. Philosophers tell us, that man, in a state of na ture, or in the first stages of civil life, is guided folely by his instincts and passions; and that the selfish and grosser affections predominate. The defires of the savage are limited to his food, his female, and fleep. If he is disturbed in the enjoyment of these by the intrufion of his neighbour; if the latter seizes the prey or the wives of the former, what is the consequence? the immediate forfeiture of life: The keenness of appetite ør insatiate revenge prompts the one to butcher the o ther. After mankind have emerged from this wild state, but before the establishment of due subordination and regular government, if one man should make an attack on the possessions or person of another, where could the latter find redress, but in a fimilar return on the depredator? In the progress of civilization, and on mankind's emancipating themselves from anarchy and confufion, individuals were vested with judicial powers, and the determination of differences was fubmitted to their wisdom. Unimpassioned neutrality, introduced the lex talionis, whereby the wrongs of the individual were redressed according to the immutable principles of natural equity, and also determined the punishment of him, who, by his dangerous machinations or actions had forfeited the protection of civil government. Instead of the dagger and the club, was introduced the erudition, the perfuafive reasoning, and the pompous declamation of the lawyer; while the fury of conflicting parties now harmlessly evaporates in a Court of Justice. Thus, law-fuits are beneficial to the community. 2. Self-interest, under the cloak of patriotism, has divided the British parliament into two illustrious factions, the ministerial party and the oppofition. Politicians have regarded this disunion, and conflict of sentiments and interests, as the grand bulwark of our liberties. On the one hand, the encroachments of the royal prerogative are restrained, while, on the other, democratical licentiousness is repressed. A parliamentary dispute attracts and engages the attention of the nation; but a wary minifter effects his purposes with more readiness and facility, by clandestine, than by open and avowed attempts. By the former, the nation is lulled into security, and their jealousy sleeps in peace; but by the latter, their minds are agitated, their paffions inflamed, and their fears alarmed. During an exemption from foreign wars or intestine commotions, the human mind is, in some degree, enervated by tranquil lity; but nothing contributes more effectually to keep alive the spirit of freedom, than a multiplicity of lawsuits. I have, in the preceding article, remarked the effects of diffention in a state of nature, and in the origin of civil fociety. The resentment of the illiterate and untutored barbarian is easily excited; and his arm is prompt, and prepared to glut his vengeance. But revenge is fatisfied, when its object is no more; and the tempeft of the paffions foon fubfides into a calm. An action in a Court of Justice preferves and continues an active spirit of oppofition, whereby mankind are prepared to dispute and maintain their civil rights, and not to fuccumb under the preffure of arbitrary and imperious oppreffion. The injured remembers that he is a Briton, and, with undaunted firmness, demands redress. Does the grievance originate from the throne? A thousand arms are elevated to fecond him in his claim. Thus law-fuits are beneficial to the British conftitution.. 3. When mankind have arranged themselves in communities, certain regulations and rules are instituted and promulgated, in order to promote the general good. An individual, by his refidence in a particular society, tacitly consents to be governed by its laws. If these ordinances fuit not his notions, his wishes, or his views, he has or ought to have the toleration of emigrating to another region: But while he is a resident, he is certainly, on every principle of justice, entitled to avail himself of the laws of his country. When my neighbour folicits my advice in a fuit at law, I give it him as becomes an honest man. Does he request me, notwithstanding my contrary opinion, to try? I do fo, and act as an honest man. Is he cast in costs? It is perhaps, fortunately for him, a leffon of wisdom; but still I was his friend, and not an enemy to a fellow-citizen or the laws. Does another illegally enjoy your poffeffion and eftate? does he disturb your tranquillity, or murder your peace? does he deprive you of a benefit, or har |