way; the parties were more or less known to each other, and judges and jurors were greatly influenced by knowledge of general character. I remarked, that regularly, the merits of the case were so clearly brought out, that when it was committed to the jury there was no question about the verdict, and so satisfactory has this system proved, that, though an appeal lies to the Queen in coun

cil, but one cause has been carried up in twenty-two years. Still, it stands as an anomaly in the history of English jurispru dence; for, I believe, in every other place where the principles of the common law govern, the learning of the Bench and the ingenuity of the Bar are considered neces sary to elicit the truth. — Stephens' Central America.