The reports of Sir Peyton Ventris Kt., late one of the justices of the Common-pleas in two parts : the first part containing select cases adjudged in the Kings-Bench, in the reign of K. Charles II, with three learned arguments, one in the Kings-Bench, by Sir Francis North, when Attorney General, and two in the Exchequer by Sir Matthew Hale, when Lord Chief Baron : with two tables, one of the cases, and the other of the principal matters : the second part containing choice cases adjudged in the Common-pleas, in the reigns of K. Charles II and K. James II and in the three first years of the reign of His now Majesty K. William and the late Q. Mary, while he was a judge in the said court, with the pleadings to the same : also several cases and pleadings thereupon in the Exchequer-Chamber upon writs of error from the Kings-Bench : together with many remarkable and curious cases in the Court of Chancery : whereto are added three exact tables, one of the cases, the other of the principal matters, and the third of the pleadings : with the allowance and approbation of the Lord Keeper an all the Judges.

Bell versus Thatcher.

IN Error upon a Judgment given in the Court of Common Pleas, where the Plaintiff in an Action upon the Case declared, That he had been retained by the under Postmaster, to carry about post Letters, of which he made a profit, and had behaved himself honest∣ly in that Employment. And that the Defendant to defame him said, He had broken up Letters, and taken out Bills of Exchange, which brought him to such discredit, that he lost the said Employ∣ment. And Iudgment was given for the Plaintiff, and Error as∣signed upon the matter, for that the words do not import, but that he might break open the Letters, by the direction of those to whom they were directed, neither do they express that they were Post Letters, and the innuendo will not help it, unless there had

been such a signification in the words. Neither is it such an Employ∣ment that an Action should lie for Scandalizing. Also the Plaintiff does not declare, that he was retained for above a year, and seems to be little more then a Common Porter. And for these rea∣sons, by the Opinion of the Court the Iudgment was reversed; and (Hale) principally from the quality of the Employment, for he said a Man should not speak disparagingly of a mans Cook or Groom, but an Action would be brought, if such Actions as these should be maintained.