CHARLES I.

189

the destruction of liberty. And in the event it c h a p*has hitherto been found, that, though some sen- liv.lible inconveniences arise from the maxim of "4l,adhering strictly to law, yet the advantages over-balance them , and should render the Englishgrateful to the memory of their ancestors, who,after repeated contests , at last established thatnoble, though dangerous, principle.

At the request of the parliament, Charles,instead of the patents during pleasure, gave allthe judges patents during their good behaviour'*':

A circumstance of the greatest moment towardssecuring their independence , and barring theentrance of arbitrary power into the ordinarycourts of judicature.

The marshals court, which took cognizanceof offensive words, and was not thought suffi-ciently limited by law, was also, for that reason,abolished The stannary courts, which exer-cised jurisdiction over the miners, being liable toa like objection, underwent a like fate. Theabolition of the council of the north and thecouncil of Wales followed from the fame prin-ciples. The authority of the clerk of the mafrket,who had a general inspection over the weightsand measures throughout the kingdom , wastransferred to the mayors, sheriffs, and ordinarymagistrates.

In short, if we take a survey of the transactionsof this memorable parliament, during the first;

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May, p. 107.

Nelsan, voL i p. 778.