Page:Guy Mannering Vol 3.djvu/64

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54
GUY MANNERING.

of the bar, and even the officers of the crown, pique themselves upon an indifferent administration of justice, without respect to rank and family, and I should fear"——

"How, sir, without respect to rank and family?—Will you tell me that doctrine can be held by men of birth and legal education?—No, sir; if a trifle stolen in the street is termed mere pickery, but is elevated into sacrilege if the crime be committed in a church, so, according to the just gradations of society, the guilt of an injury is enhanced by the rank of the person to whom it is offered, done, or committed, sir." Glossin bowed low to this declaration ex cathedra, but observed, that in case of the very worst, and of such unnatural doctrines being actually held as he had already hinted, "the law had another hold on Mr. Vanbeest Brown."

"Vanbeest Brown? is that the fellow's name! Good God! that young Hazlewood of Hazlewood should have had his life endangered, the clavicle of his right