Grimshaw, and J. Watson, Esq. in 1797. Indeed on all occasions, and at all times, they have evinced the most respectful devotion to their sovereign, and the mcst ardent zeal in the service of their country. Although the volunteer system is no longer required to defend our beloved country from a threatened invasion, the principle remains still unchanged in the people; danger would call forth fresh energy, from mature age, as well as our youth, in a cause which unites every heart in the British empire. A piece of plate, consisting of an elegant massive silver tureen, was presented, on Thursday the 26th of February, 1818, to Lieut.-Col. Grimshaw, of the Amounderness Local Militia, by Lieut.-Col. St. Clare, bearing the following inscription: :-" Presented by his brother officers, to Lieut.-Col. Grimshaw, of the Amounderness Local Militia, and formerly of the Royal Preston Volunteers, in testimony of their sincere regard, and of the high sense entertained by them of his patriotic zeal, gentlemanlike conduct, and military ability, so eminently displayed by him in a twenty years' command of the above corps; and in a season of imminent peril; during which, a generous sacrifice was made of private interest and convenience to the cause of his country." Captain Adjutant Palmer of Amounderness Local Militia, (and formerly of the Royal Preston Volunteers,) commanded by Lieut.-Col. Grimshaw, had presented by his brother officers a pair of elegant silver cups, inlaid with gold, bearing the following incription:- "Presented by his brother officers, to Captain and Adjutant John Palmer, of the Amounderness Local Militia, (and formerly of the Royal Preston Volunteers,) commanded by Lieut.- Col. Grimshaw, in testimony of their sincere regard, and of the high sense entertained by them of his military ability, soldier-like conduct, and unwearied zeal in promoting the discipline of the above corps during a twenty years service." And on the reverse side of each cup, crest-a Palm Tree; motto, "Palmam qui meruit ferat." This respected gentleman departed this life August 2nd, 1817, regretted by all who knew him,

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LAW.

THE County of Lancaster being a Palatinate, is endowed with peculiar privileges, as relates to the administration of justice. It has congnizance of Pleas, in matters both of law and equity. Our ancient lawyers and historians state, that because this, and the adjoining counties of Durham and Chester bordered upon the hostile territories of Scotland and Wales, it was thought expedient to grant this pre-eminent jurisdiction with Jura Regalia; that the inhabitants might have administration of justice at home, and not, by wandering out of the county to the Courts at Westminster, leave it open to the incursions of the enemy.

The public offices incident to the Palatinate, and from which all compulsory and other proceedings are taken, are stationed at Preston, except during the assizes, when they are removed to Lancaster. The central situation of Preston within the county being more adapted to the dispatch of business than Lancaster.

The officers of the Court of Chancery consist of five Clerks in court and Cursitors of the county, a Registrar, Examiner, and Chief Clerk, with whom is filed all equity proceedings; the Registrar being the proper officer of the court, he officiates himself, or by deputy, in the Vice Chancellor's court at Lancaster, or the Sessions hall in Preston, during its sittings.

One of the Chancery Clerks is generally the acting Cursitor, whose duty it is to issue all original writs, mandates upon writs, directed to the Chancellor of the County,* from the courts of Westminster, &c. and has a distinct office for this purpose.

* The Right Hon. C. Bathurst, is the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Worshipful Samuel Yate Benyon, Vice Chancellor, who holds his Chancery Court at the Bull Inn, in Preston.

Another is the Sealkeeper of the county, whose duty is to seal all writs, process, patents, and grants of duchy lands, issuing from the several courts.

The officer of the Court of Common Pleas is the Prothonotary, from whose office proceed all mesne process incident to that court, and in which is filed the proceedings at common. He either officiates in person or by deputy, within the Nisi Prius court at Lancaster, during the assizes.

The Clerk of the Crown has his office also in Preston. He has the custody of all criminal proceedings, and officiates himself or by deputy, during the assizes, in the Crown court at Lancaster.

The Clerk of the Peace for the county is an officer of the Courts of General and Quarter Sessions, similar in point of duty to the Clerk of the Crown.

The office of the Sheriff of the County is kept here; one or other of the resident attorneys being always appointed Under Sheriff for the time being, and who respectively conduct and manage its various and important duties.

The County Treasurer has his office also within the town. Henry Hulton, Esq. treasurer.

This preliminary statement is submitted principally with a view to explain the reason why Preston assumes so prominent a legal character above other towns in the county, both as to the courts held within its precints, and its numerous body of professional gentleman. An explanation the more necessary, to prevent surmises injurious to its inhabitants, of being more litigious than its neighbours. Hence no writs or other process, or proceedings in actions at law, or suits in equity, can be had or prosecuted within the county, but through the medium of the local Attorneys at Law and Clerks in the Court of Chancery, who, as Agents to the Attorneys and Solicitors of the different towns within this populous and commercial county, transact and conduct their proceedings in the respective offices before mentioned.

THE COUNTY COURT.

The County or Sheriff's Court, in which the Sheriff or his deputy presides, assisted by an Assessor, is held every Tuesday month, in the Sessions-hall, at the House of Correction. It has jurisdiction over the county, for the trial of civil cases, wherein the

debt or damage does not amount to forty shillings.

But the court may try causes to any amount, by virtue of a writ called a Justicies, issuing out of the Chancery of Lancashire, and directed to the Sheriff, which gives an extended power to the court, (but which is not a court of record.) Very frequently the court continues three days successively.

THE WAPENTAKE COURT.

This Court has jurisdiction over the Hundred of Amounderness, and holds plea of debts under forty shillings only. The court is held at the Stewards' office, every Wednesday three weeks. This is held at E. and J. Lodge's, Solicitors.

THE GENERAL SESSIONS.

This Court is held annually, for the purpose of auditing the County Treasurer's accounts, considering and planning public improvements within the county, &c. It is usually attended by most of the magistracy of the county.

THE QUARTER SESSIONS OF THE PEACE. Preston Quarter Sessions are held on

Thursday, in the 1st week after Epiphany,

For the trial of criminals charged with felonies and misdemeanors, settlements of paupers, &c. The two latter courts are held in the Sessions-hall.

THE BOROUGH COURTS.

The Court of Pleas for the borough of Preston is held in the Town-hall, every Friday three weeks, and holds plea to any amount of causes wherein the debt, or acknowledgment thereof, has been contracted or made within its jurisdiction. The court may by its process, (if the plaintiff's claim be forty shillings or upwards,) seize the goods, in the first instance, to compel an appearance, and eventually attach the goods or body, for satisfaction of suit. It is also a Court of Record.

The Court of Quarter Sessions of the Peace, for the trial of

offences committed within the borough, of which the Mayor and Aldermen are the Judges, is held on the Monday next preceding the Quarter Sessions, but no great variety of business is done, as, generally speaking, most of the offenders are tried at the County Sessions, although some denominate this court General Quarter Sessions for the county.

The Court of Pie Poudre is held during the continuance of every public fair within the borough, for the determination of disputes and offences arising therefrom.

The Court Leet, with view of Frank Pledge, is held twice at least, every year; to make and receive presentments of nuisances, obstructions, &c. arising and being within the borough; and for the examination and trial of weights, measures, &c.

The Court of Election is held annually, at the Feast of St. Wilfrid, being in the month of October, for the chusing of a Mayor and Bailiff, and other Officers belonging to the Corporation. The Mayor elect afterwards appoints his own Bailiff. And on the dissolution of Parliament this court is also held, for the electing two Burgesses to serve and represent this town in Parliament.

The great remora to improvement in our civil code, is the reduction that such reform must necessarily produce in the revenue. The law's delays, bills of revival, rejoinder, and renewal, empty the stamp-office of stamps, the pockets of plaintiff and defendant of their money, but unfortunately they fill the exchequer. Some may say, that injustice, if speedy, would, in certain cases, be more desirable than justice, if it be slow; and although we hear much of the "glorious uncertainty of the law," yet all who have tried it will find, to their cost, that it can boast of two certainties, expence and delay: when I see what strong temptations there are that government should sympathise with the judge, the judge with the counsellor, and the counsellor with the attorney, in throwing every possible embarrassment in the way of legal dispatch and decision; and when I weigh the humble, but comparatively insignificant interests of the mere plaintiff or defendant, against this combined array of talent, of influence, and of power, I am no longer astounded at the prolongation of suits, and I wonder only at their termination. Law suits, indeed, do generally originate with the