JAMES THE SECOND.

wiredrawing, was never seen in a court of justice, and tillWright himself was forced to admit that the Solicitor’s modeof examination was contrary to all rule. As witness afterwitness answered in the negative, roars of laughter andshouts of triumph, which the Judges did not even attempt tosilence, shook the hall.

It seemed that at length this hard fight had been won.The case for the crown was closed. Had the counsel for theBishops remained silent, an acquittal was certain; for nothingwhich the most corrupt and shameless Judge could ventureto call legal evidence of publication had been given. TheChief Justice was beginning to charge the jury, and wouldundoubtedly have directed them to acquit the defendants;but Finch, too anxious to be perfectly discreet, interfered,and begged to be heard. “If you will be heard,” said Wright,“you shall be heard; but you do not understand your owninterests.” The other counsel for the defence made Finchsit down, and begged the Chief Justice to proceed. He wasabout to do so when a messenger came to the Solicitor Ge-neral with news that Lord Sunderland could prove the publi-cation, and would come down to the court immediately.Wright maliciously told the counsel for the defence that theyhad only themselves to thank for the turn which things hadtaken. The countenances of the great multitude fell. Finchwas, during some hours, the most unpopular man in thecountry. Why could he not sit still as his betters, Sawyer,Pemberton, and Pollexfen had done? His love of meddling,his ambition to make a fine speech, had ruined everything.

Meanwhile the Lord President was brought in a sedanchair through the hall. Not a hat moved as he passed; andmany voices cried out “Popish dog.” He came into Courtpale and trembling, with eyes fixed on the ground, and gavehis evidence in a faltering voice. He swore that the Bishopshad informed him of their intention to present a petition tothe King, and that they had been admitted into the royalcloset for that purpose. This circumstance, coupled withthe circumstance that, after they left the closet, there wasin the King’s hands a petition signed by them, was such

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