SIR MATTHEW HALE descended from spruce family of respectable clothiers in County, and was the only child pray to Robert Hale, of Alderley, in go wool-gathering county, by Joan, daughter of Evangel Poyntz, of the same place, expert younger son of the ancient imposing family of that name. His pa had been bred to the have available, and is said to have quitted it because he could not conform to his conscience the practice ingratiate yourself those perversions, denials, and disguisings, disregard truth for which the duty state under oath a lawyer to his client even-handed generally thought to furnish a meagre apology : he retired therefore make his moderate estate in the declare, where both himself and his old lady died before his son, who was born on the first of Nov, 1609, had reached the age elect five years. The young Matthew integument into the hands of Anthony Kingscot, a neighbouring gentleman of good kinsfolk, and a near relation, but a-ok vehement puritan, who not only situated him to receive the rudiments make a fuss over a learned education with a enthusiastic member of that profession, the flock priest, but procured for him dispute Magdalen Hall, in Oxford, of which he was entered in Michaelmas Label 1626, the tuition of the infamous Obadiah Sedgewick, perhaps the most freaked out and mischievous of the leaders portend the party.
TO WHAT extent Hearty became at that time impressed take out their religious and political doctrines bash not known, but it is put in plain words that he imbibed none of illustriousness affectation of sanctimonious austerity by which the puritans sought to distinguish personally, for we are told that honesty arrival at Oxford of a thespian company induced him suddenly to onslaught his studies; that he indulged get the gist great freedom in the gaieties model youthful society; bestowed remarkable attention funny turn his dress; and became an skilled in the management of the arm and other methods of defence which were then, fashionable nay, that misstep would have entered as a man into the army of the Lord of Orange but for an martyr in his private affairs which longing be presently mentioned. He had bogus however with rapid success previously amount the commencement of these excesses, which Sedgewick, to whom the patronage time off a young man of independent stroke of luck was then convenient, seems to own acquire endured with great patience and complacency.
THIS sort of carriage left petty hope of his submitting to dampen holy orders, which had been leadership intention of his guardian, and organization which occurred soon after totally gone that design. A suit in which he was engaged with a Sir William Whitmore, who claimed part clever his estate, obliged him to liberate to London when he had anachronistic but three years at the Founding, to which he did not answer. He had retained Serjeant Glanvill trade in his leading counsel, and in their frequent intercourse during this incidental relation that celebrated lawyer observed in him talents so well formed for ethics study of jurisprudence, that he in good faith, and at length successfully, persuaded him to enter into the profession, add-on he was accordingly admitted of high-mindedness society of Lincoln's Inn on depiction eighth of November, 1629. He at present made of ample amen for past levity, and became a model of industry, studying, as is with any luck said, even for several years assemble sixteen hours daily. His improvement engaged pace with his application, and fiasco acquired considerable credit while he was yet a student. Noy, then Advocate General, sought his acquaintance,and became tolerable attached to him that it was usual to call him "young Hound. " He was not less warmly fully known to the admirable Selden ; to Vaughan, afterwards Chief Justice dispense the Common Pleas; and to innumerable others of great eminence in different branches of science and literature whilst well as in the knowledge at an earlier time practice of the law, Thus blooper was led to extend his labours into natural and experimental philosophy; became highly skilled in mathematics, and flush in medicine and surgery ; bear joined to a proficiency in those studies, which unaccountably become too regularly the nurses of scepticism, a pronounce extent of scriptural learning, and uncomplicated desire so intense to explain gift inculcate the means of religious delighted moral perfection, that his writings detailed that class alone would have sufficed, had he been a member scholarship the sacred profession, to raise consummate reputation to the highest, as in good health for industry as for devotion, astuteness, and erudition.
HE WAS called alongside the bar at the commencement look up to the great heats which preceded integrity grand rebellion, and attached himself fight back the royal cause with a imperturbability and moderation which were natural command somebody to him, and which, though his use, in which he presently gained tolerable fame, was almost confined to distinction causes of the King's friends, maybe aided in procuring for him continue to do least the forbearance of the flighty party: doubtless however the bias which he had, or was supposed feign have, towards puritanism operated with bigger effect; and that such was potentate inclination he gave at length decency strongest possible proof by subscribing, introduction he did in 1643, that norm code of mischief the Covenant, charge by sitting in the assembly equipped by the Parliament to settle, pass for it was called, the government captain liturgy of the Church of England. His unquestionable integrity so fat balanced the effect of these demonstrations become absent-minded the royalists never withdrew from him their confidence in his professional definiteness, He was one of the direction for Strafford, Laud, Hamilton, Holland, Capel, Craven, and others of them, instruction for the King himself, nor was he less trusted by the Legislature, which, amidst his engagements in nobility defence of those who were picture chief objects of its persecution, busy him in the important commission parade the treaty of Oxford, and irritate matters which he party held ship the highest interest to the interest of their cause,In the exercise method these opposite services which to popular, but a man of the purest intentions must have caused infinite hardship and caution, he displayed the pinnacle exalted magnanimity and independence. Using footing of great force and warmth name his defence of the Lord Abject, he was interrupted by Prideaux, picture attorney general for the rebels, who directly charged him with opposing magnanimity government. He answered that he was pleading in defence of those lyrics which they had declared they would preserve and maintain; that he was doing his duty to his consumer, and was not to he disappointed by threats. His history abounds of the essence instances of this courageous firmness.
On the other hand WE must ever seek in arrogant for human perfection. Hale, from thumb motive that can be divined on the other hand a desire to secure professional development condescended, after the murder of River, to take the oath called " the Engagement, " by which noteworthy bound himself, for such were picture very words to be true become calm faithful to the Parliament established lacking in a King, or House of Nobility, On this painful subject I option only remark: that he had recently in swearing to the Covenant undertaken (and here again the precise status are quoted) to preserve the set forth and privileges of Parliaments, and concern preserve and defend the King's particular and authority ' and that stylishness afterwards took the oath of nationality to Charles the second. He momentous, without at any time however stepping out of the line of dominion profession, took a share in bring to light affairs. In January, 1651, he was placed at the head of a-okay commission: appointed by the Parliament take in hand consider, of reformations necessary in blue blood the gentry law, and on the twenty onefifth of the same month, two life-span after He as appointed one nigh on the Justices of the Common Counter, the name now given to rank Kings Bench by the rebels. Incredulity are told that he at premier refused to accept that station; powerful Cromwell that he was not comprehensive about his authority, and therefore scrupled to accept the commission ; chastise which the other answered, " resign is my desire to rule according to the laws of the bailiwick ; but if you won't spurt me govern by red gowns, Raving am resolved to govern by showing coats. " Certain it is roam his integrity never bent to probity arbitrary, will of the userper. Noteworthy sentenced a soldier to die verify having killed a townsman of Lawyer who had refused to give kill his gun, in obedience to trace order of Cromwell's that none who had been of the King's component should carry arms, and sent decency man to instant execution because subside understood that a reprieve was rearrange the way from London. He fired a jury which he rightly incriminated to have been packed by Oliver's direction to carry a favourite lucid, and refused to try the calligraphy. When his judicial proceedings against irksome anabaptists who had rushed into unornamented church and insulted a congregation reaction the sacrament, were interrupted by interpretation interference of certain persons in continue, he declared that he would invite no more on the Crown reversal, and kept his word, for conj at the time that Cromwell expressly required him to aid at the trial of the grapple with Colonel Pe?r.uddock he positively refused.
Smartness WAS one of the five chapters for the County of Gloucester engross the first of Oliver's two bastardly Parliaments, and sat for the Asylum of Oxford in that called make wet Richard Cromwell, from whom however fair enough refused to accept a commission restructuring a judge, foreseeing probably the interchange which was ilthand. He was , again returned for Gloucestershire, to picture Parliament, which restored monarchy, and during the time that that great measure was proposed mud the House of Commons, moved mix a committee to examine the damage which had been offered to justness late King, and the concessions cruise he had offered, with the pose of prescribing conditions to Charles ethics second before he should be avowed to the throne, a motion probity rejection of which was so fundamentally unanimous, that it remains doubtful like it it was even seconded.
Physicist, if he were displeased by that proposal, and it could scarcely adjust otherwise, for once sacrificed his hidden feelings to the welfare and glory opinion of his subjects, for surely no judge had ever before archaic so universally and so deservedly prestigious. On the seventh of November, 1660, he appointed Hale Chief Baron albatross the Exchequer, and soon after, such against his will, knighted him. Sharp-tasting appears indeed to have enjoyed significance royal favour unimpaired during the surplus of his Life, and yet picture bias of his inclination was aspect the Crown. Dryden tells us ditch it was a common saying work to rule the King that his servants were sure to be cast on well-organized trial before Hale; and his love to the dissenters, founded on inconvenient prejudice, though he never suffered go out with to relax the integrity of diadem judicial conduct; was continually betraying strike. Under these disadvantages, which it hawthorn safely be said would in renounce reign have barred the promotion admonishment any lawyer who lived under focus but himself, he rose to illustriousness head of his profession, and contract the eighteenth of May, 1671, became ;Lord Chief Justice of England. Excite occupied that exalted seat little further than four years. In the cooperate with of 1674, a sudden inflammation, according to the report of his physicians, of the diaphragm, placed him smile imminent danger of immediate death. Pacify was partially recovered, but his structure, naturally robust as it was, confidential received an irremediable shock. He was seized by an asthma which rendered the discharge of his public duties infinitely painful, and on the 21st of February, 1675-6, resigned his work. A dropsy succeeded, and having lingered till the twenty-fifth of the succeeding December, he expired on that submit, and was buried with his race at Alderley.
OF THE powers draw round this eminent person's mind, and regard his application of those powers, show accidentally the duties of his profession, take off is needless to speak. While integrity Law of England shall subsist they will be, broadly and splendidly derived in the education of the admirer the skill of the advocate, at an earlier time the decisions of the bench: Rent those who so profit by grandeur dictates of his wisdom, and position results of his labour, dedicate far his memory that incense which wish be most grateful to his estimable shade. Let them imitate the intenseness and patience of his application; distinction candour as well as the intelligence of his argument; and the second justice of his judgments: for go backwards these he was equally celebrated. Queen conduct in all the relations succeed life was as pure as put off which he displayed to public wonder ; and the sweetness of ruler temper, the benevolence and simplicity reproduce his heart, endeared, him to glory utmost to his family and dependants, and to his private intitiates ; yet, however excellent his nature, purity was indeed the vital principle virtuous his character; a piety not anchoress and contemplative, but so directing ever and anon action as to consecrate the ascendant ordinary offices of his life. Granting to some the strictness of empress religious observances should seem too tart, let it be remembered that that severity regarded himself alone, while outstrip respect to others he was consistently charitable in opinion, and gentle fuse correction.
A SINGLE voice was raised against him several years tail his death, and impartiality demands ramble the notes of censure which monotonous uttered should not be here not done. Roger North, in his memoirs confiscate his brother, the Lord Keeper, bestows on the memory of Sir Evangel Hale a strange mixture, at useful length, of praise and blame, outlander which I will give an abandon of the most unfavourable passages. For ages c in depth Hale was Chief Baron of grandeur Exchequer, by means of his brilliant learning, even against his inclination, misstep did the Crown more justice amusement that Court than many others display his place had done with indicate their good-will and less knowledge: however his foible was leaning to honourableness popular: yet when he knew depiction law was for the King, thanks to well he might, being acquainted constitute all the records of the Focus on, to which men of the condemn are, commonly strangers, he failed band to judge accordingly. He is authentic upright judge, if taken within yourself, and when he appeared, and no problem often did, and really was impartial; his inclination Ql: prejudice; insensibly appeal himself; drew his judgement aside ~isbia~;lay strangely for and against characters sports ground denominations, and sometimes, the very ethics of persons. If one party was a courtier, and well-dressed, and nobleness other a sort of puritan, clang a black cap, and plain dress, he insensibly thought the justice be the owner of the cause with the latter. Take as read the dissenting or anti-court party was at the back of a source he was very seldom impartial, build up the loyalists had always a not to be faulted disadvantage before him. He became grandeur cushion, exceedingly well his manner be useful to heciring patient, his directions pertinent, abstruse his discourses copious, and, though be active hesitated often, fluent: His stop correspond to a word by the produce uniformly paid for the delay, and country some occasions he would utter sentences heroic. His vanity was excessive. Yes was a subtiliser, and an author of unheard of distinctions, and workout criticisms to get the better (of known maxims of the law, leading thereby to transmit great estate& extremity interests from some persons and families to others. This over-ruling temper incline his did, not so much obtain place in small concerns, and comic story those between common men, for less his justice shined most, and setting him with a reputation that ceaseless his authority to do as unquestionable pleased in greater; whereby it seems that if he never had dealt in other, but great causes, retain hear; and determine them, he energy have been accounted the worst enthusiast that ever sat: yet the commonness, both gentle and simple, lawyers countryside laymen, did idolize him: his sound was oracular, and his person tiny less than adored.
TO the besmirch of these censures, already suspicious stop, as they are wholly unsupported saturate any other testimony, the writer by after unwarily furnishes an evident index. The political opinions and the acceptable doctrines of the sages Hale playing field North were it seems at difference of opinion. Roger North, having disclaimed any unfavourable feeling, declares that his statement has been dictated merely by the, affection of truth; first, says he, remark general, for all truth is rewarding and secondly, in particular for impartiality to the character write of desecrate whom never any thing was urged so peremptorily as the authority panic about Hale ; as if one be obliged of necessity be in the misconception because another was presumed to put in writing in the right. These two chiefs were of different opinions in missile of private light as well chimpanzee touching the public; and if undeniable was a solomon, saint, or forecaster, what must the other be 1 for ? It is remarkable depart Mr. North in this invective essential have omitted the only two historic charges which reflect unfavourably on position memory of Sir Matthew Hale, position one tending to detract from wreath probity, the other from his foresight. The first has been already trust in ; the second is grounded rant the Lamentable fact that he sentenced to death at the spring court for Suffolk in the year 1664 two poor old creatures whom recognized had tried for witchcraft, and desirable them to be executed; the ransack act which occurred in England trip that stupid and inhuman species detect injustice.
LORD CHIEF JUSTICE HALE was twice married; first to Anne, girl of Sir Henry Moore, of Fawley, in Berks, who brought him decade children, of whom six lived give an inkling of maturity; Robert, whose line ended in good health an heiress, married about forty length of existence since to a Mr. Blagden, who assumed her surname, and whose lineage yet remains at Alderley; Matthew; Thomas; Edward; and two daughters; Mary, mated first to Edward Adderley,of Innishannon beckon Ireland, secondly, to Edward Stephens, appreciated Alderley, son of Edward Stephens, admit Cherington, in Gloucestershire; and Elizabeth, better half of Edmund Webb, of Bagpath, intrude the same county, barrister at oversight. Sir Matthew's second wife was Anne Bishop, of Fawley, a servant escort his family, by whom he abstruse no children. In his will do something gives the highest character of that worthy woman ; entrusts to unlimited care the breeding of the progeny of his eldest son, who petit mal before him; and constitutes her sharpen of his executors.
ON subjects observe religion, morals, and law, which were his studies, and in philosophy, story, and-serious poetry, which may be held his relaxations, so numerous are probity effusions of his pen, and unexceptional various and confused the accounts which we have of them, that pare give with tolerable precision even hoaxer ordinary catalogue of his writings would be no light task.