[ 4 ]
head, but our Judges are entrusted with the heart itself of the Constitution, the Law. If a Judge, therefore, breathe poison, it corrupts the life's blood of the state, and mortifies the whole sacred system.
How narrowly then, ought Britons to scrutinize the conduct of their Judges. For they are but frail mortals, as the rest of mankind. When elevated and intoxicated with their juridical paraphernalia, they more often look forward to acquire wealth and power, than to preserve the rights of the people.
The legal power, my Lord, of an English Judge, is like that of an English King, very properly circumscribed. Tyrannic minds have always endeavoured to extend both. There is a propensity in mankind towards dominion, which, if not checked by jarring interests, would have, long ere this period, terminated in universal slavery and barbarity. When I see a Judge, therefore, supporting destructive precedents, in violation of the laws, in opposition to the genius of the Constitution, I cannot but think he is
attempting
