ment, Mr. Holliday has reprinted the discourse in his Appendix. Mr. Reed has a printed copy of " Lord Chief Justice Mansfield's Argument in Wyndham versus Chetwynd, debated in Michaelmas Term, 1757." It is annexed to lord Camden's "Argument in Doe versus Kersey."] 7 Mr. Holliday has given an abstract of this very important case in his forensic biography of the chief-justice, which is by no means worthy of its subject. Lord Mansfield has been deemed the father of the modern system of mercantile law. CHARLES PRATT, EARL CAMDEN, [WA As son of sir John Pratt, lord chief-justice of the court of king's bench, who died in 1724, when this son was an infant. After a scholastic education at Eton, he was sent to King's College, Cambridge, on the election in 1731, and became a fellow of that society. In 1735 he took the degree of B. A., in 1739 that of M. A., and determining on the law for his profession, he entered himself a member of Lincolns-Inn. In due time he was called to the bar; but for many years his attendance in Westminster Hall was little noticed, as is reported of his dignified successor on the woolsack, lord Eldon; and his prospects were so inadequate to his expectations, that he resolved at one period to relinquish his profession, and abandon his country. Fortunately for himself as well as for the public, so hasty and desponding a measure was not carried 2 It may be conjectured that at this juncture his collegiate friend, Dr. Sneyd Davies, wrote his poetical epistle, in which he earnestly encouraged him to look up to the examples of Cowper, Talbot, Somers, and Yorke, who at the English bar "Pleaded their way to glory's chair supreme, into execution. His diligence and application at length were noticed, and he obtained what his assiduity entitled him to a considerable share of practice. In 1754 he was chosen member for Downton; and on a bill being proposed in the house of commons to extend the benefits of the Habeas Corpus act, is said to have written the pamphlet cited below. From this period he became the most rising advocate at the bar. A firm friendship between him and Mr. Pitt had taken place, and Mr. Pratt was chosen recorder of Bath in 1759. In the same year he was appointed attorney-general; and in 1761 was knighted, and constituted chief-justice of the common pleas. During the time he presided in that court, the case of Mr. Wilkes came in various shapes before him; and the resolutions which the bench came to on those occasions, contributed greatly to increase the popularity of the chief-justice. The freedom of the city of London was soon after presented to him by that corporation. In 1765 he was created a peer of Great Britain, by the title of baron Camden. In 1766 he was named lord-chancellor, a post he held with great honour to himself and satisfaction to the public till 1770, when he resigned, in consequence of disapproving the measures respecting America. To noon-day lustre kindled, had their dawn. Nor think the task severe, the prize too high Of toil and honour for thy father's son !" Dodsley's Collection, vol. vi. p. 266. In 3 On this occasion some verses were addressed to him, which affirmed March 1782 he was appointed president of the council, and with the exception of a short secession, held the same during life. In May 1786 he was advanced to the farther dignities of viscount Bayham and earl Camden, and lived to enjoy his well-earned honours till April 18. 1794. * 4 Lord Camden's title to introduction in the present work, rests on the following tracts: "An Inquiry into the Nature and Effect of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, the great Bulwark of English Liberty, both at common Law, and under the Act of Parliament: and also into the Propriety of explaining and extending that Act." Lond. 1758. 8vo. 5 "Lord Camden's Argument in Doe on the Demise of Hindson, &c. versus Kersey; wherein Lord Mansfield's Argument in Wyndham versus Chetwynd is considered and answered." Dublin, 1766. 8vo.6 The introductory part of the former pamphlet furnishes an extract. "With spotless honour hast thou steer'd thy way Through civil storms what can'st thou more desire? 'Tis infamy to reign, 'tis glory to retire." Europ. Mag. vol. xiii. p. 308.; and Gent. Mag. vol. Ixiv. p. 389., where many of his speeches are referred to. 5 This is ascribed to his lordship on the authority of the late James West, esq. who was secretary to the treasury. Vide Bibl. Westiana, p. 88. 6 Mr. Reed informs me that this pamphlet was first printed in 4to. at London, where it was suppressed by an order of the court of common pleas, over which lord Camden at that time presided. "Whether we consider mankind as naturally inclined to social life, or as having been reduced to it by necessity or accident; from whatever cause we suppose political societies to have taken their rise, whether from the choice and compact of the many, or from the power and conquest of a few; or whether in fact the state be so formed as best to promote the happiness of every member, or to satisfy the pride and ambition of its governors; we cannot conceive it void of that principle of self-preservation which is common to every congregate, as well as to every single body. Whether therefore the government be established on the plan of liberty or tyranny, it will certainly make some laws for the preservation of the properties and persons of the subjects; since some such are necessary to the very existence of the state; and without such, either more or less liberal, it wants an essential quality, and must degenerate into absolute anarchy and confusion. There is no civilized nation in the world that has not some legal institution or system, at least, for the defence of the subject's body and estate, against the encroachments of others of equal rank. "In those governments where certain individuals, in right of their public posts or of their possessions, are intitled by the laws themselves to make use of the persons and fortunes of their inferiors, at their free will and pleasure (which is the case more or less in every arbitrary and despotic government), the laws relating to liberty and property are few, and extend to the preservation of them only as between private persons of equal rank in the community, and every sub |