dictments were therefore resorted to, in which entire business Whitshed became an interested and envenomed partisan. Each recorded transcript of English malpractice was exercised, whilst the plain principles of law were exploded or denied. If judicial purity should resemble female honour, we need not doubt that Whitshed became soon callous to the call of conscience, and gratified, without scruple or even pecuniary bribes, party hatred and personal malevolence in many private causes. His acquaintance was extensive, and included a circle of similar characters. Their cowardice or crimes often provoked animadversion, which evil passions required indulgence and sometimes a screen: the pliant Chief Justice was ever at hand, solicited or encouraged parties, and courted this infamy with such a forward approach, that his associates or dependent minions did not tremble or blush when they avowed Whitshed's previous knowledge of criminal business, and a preconcerted judicial determination. Such malpractice must often have felled of success if the Chief Justice had not had a suitable associate and humble friend in brother Boate. Thus secure of a majority. Justice Caulfield was disabled from effecting anything except a display of undoubted integrity and sound legal knowledge. Even Swift has not been sufficiently just in this instance—for the approbation of honest Judges is frill as useful in a public point of view as the keenest censure of such as are impudent or corrupt. "Whitshed finished his career by an implied avowal of guilt: he solicited the Great Seal, and on disappointment, determined to save himself from further prostitution by becoming Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
The English Minister did not feel for the regrets of a corrupt Judge and obscure statesman; the Great Seal was therefore given to a pamphleteering partisan, who died in so short a time after arrival, that his services would be totally forgot in this country, but for the pension so long paid to his family; he was, however, a man of considerable legal talent and unexceptionable personal character, whose name has been rendered still more respectable by the classic genius of one relation, and the naval merit of another.
