Page:Biographical catalogue of the portraits at Weston, the seat of the Earl of Bradford (IA gri 33125003402027).pdf/188

on the trial of the regicides has naturally been differently judged, according to the bias of party feeling, but at all events his eloquence in charging the jury was highly extolled at the time, and when he had concluded the applause was so great that Judge Bridgeman felt himself called upon to check the expression thereof, saying, 'that it was more suitable for the audience of a stage-play rather than a court of justice.' His language indeed was rather fantastic and flowery, but that was the fashion at the time. He explained that 'the treason of the prisoners consisted not only in compassing and imagining the King's death, but in executing him in front of his own palace; in fact, not only laying the cockatrice's egg, but brooding upon the same, until it had brought forth a serpent!' On the expiration of the trials, Bridgeman was made a Baronet and Chief-Justice of the Common Pleas; and it was said of him that while presiding in this Court his reputation was at its zenith, and 'his moderation and equity were such that he seemed to carry a chancery in his breast.' In the intrigues which were being carried on against Lord Clarendon, Sir Orlando took no part; indeed his conduct was invariably marked by generosity towards the man whom he was destined to supplant, and he did all in his power to prevent the Chancellor's impeachment. In 1667 he was appointed Lord-Keeper at the instigation of some of the King's advisers, male and female, and it was whispered among his enemies that in that capacity he was at first more complaisant than his predecessor in affixing the great seal to royal grants, in favour of such personages as Lady Castlemaine, and others of her calibre. Be this as it may, the atrocious proceedings of the Cabal roused the Lord-Keeper into resistance, and the opposition he offered to these unscrupulous men hastened his downfall. His own family were also most prejudicial to his prosperity, his wife being an 'intriguer and intermeddler,' combining with his sons in matters with which they had no concern. Bridgeman was losing