The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

PEVERIL OF THE PEAK. 629
which she expected from her kinsmen, or her son's kinsmen, of the IHouse
of Stanley, may have been but a burst of female resentment- dulcis
Amaryllidis ira, as the poet hath it. Who knoweth but Doctor Oates did
mistake — he being a gentleman of a comely countenance and easy demeanour-this same rap with the fan as a chastisement for lack of courage
in the Catholic cause, when, peradventure, it was otherwise meant, as
Popish ladies will put, it is said, such neophytes and youthful candidates
for orders, to many severe trials. "I speak these things jocularly," said
the Judge, "' having no wish to stain the reputation either of the Honourable
Countess or the Reverend Doctor; only I think the bearing between them
may have related to something short of high treason. As for what the
Attorney-General hath set forth of rescues and force, and I wot not what,
sure I am, that in a civil country, when such things happen, such things
may be proved; and that you and I, gentlemen, are not to take them for
granted gratuitously. Touching this other prisoner, this Gcalfridus minimnus, he must needs say," he continued, "he could not discover even a
shadow of suspicion against him. Was it to be thought so abortive a creature would thrust himself into depths of policy, far less into stratagems of
war? They had but to look at him to conclude the contrary-the creature
was, from his age, fitter for the grave than a conspiracy - and by his size
and appearance, for the inside of a raree-show, than the mysteries of a plot."
The dwarf here broke in upon the Judge by force of screaming, to assure
him that he had been, simple as he sat there, engaged in seven plots in
Cromwell's time; and, as he proudly added, with some of the tallest men
of England. The matchless look and air with which Sir Geoffrey made this
vaunt, set all a-laughing, and increased the ridicule with which- the whole
trial began to be received; so that it was amidst shaking sides and watery
eyes that a general verdict of Not Guilty was pronounced, and the prisoners
dismissed from the bar.
But a warmer sentiment awakened among those who saw the father and
son throw themselves into each other's arms, and, after a hearty embrace,
extend their hands to their poor little companion in peril, who, like a dog,
when present at a similar scene, had at last succeeded, by stretching himself up to them and whimpering at the same time, to secure to himself a
portion of their sympathy and gratulation.
Such was the singular termination of this trial. Charles himself was desirous to have taken considerable credit with the Duke of Ornmond for the
evasion of the law, which had been thus effected by his private connivance;
and was both surprised and mortified at the coldness with which his Grace
replied, that he was rejoiced at the poor gentlemen's safety, but would rather
have had the King redeem them like a prince, by his royal prerogative of
mercy, than that his Judge should convey them out of the power of the law,
like a juggler with his cups and balls.
— On fair ground
I could beat forty of them i
CORIOLANUS.
IT doubtless occurred to many that were present at the trial we have described, that it was managed in a singular manner, and that the quarrel,
which had the appearance of having taken place between the Court and the
Crown Counsel, might proceed from some private understanding betwixt
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