Mr. Scranton
declares, with great emphasis, that all these things are most
legally true, perfectly natural: they follow in man as well as
governments.
With all due deference to Mr. Scranton's opinion, so much demanded
among his admiring neighbours, it must be said that he never could
bring his mind to understand the difference between natural
philosophy and his own constitutional scruples, and was very apt to
commit himself in argument, forgetting that the evil was in the
fruits of a bad system, bringing disgrace upon his countrymen,
corrupting the moral foundation of society, spreading vice around
the domestic fireside, and giving to base-minded men power to
speculate in the foulness of their own crimes.
The case is opened by the attorney for the plaintiff, who makes a
great many direct and indirect remarks, and then calls witnesses.
"Marco Graspum!" the clerk exclaims. That gentleman comes forward,
takes his place, calmly, upon the witnesses' stand. At first he
affects to know but little; then suddenly remembers that he has
heard Marston call their mothers property. Further, he has heard
him, while extolling their qualities, state the purchase to have
been made of one Silenus, a trader.
"He stated-be sure now!-to you, that he purchased them of one
Silenus, a trader?" interpolates the judge, raising his glasses, and
advancing his ear, with his hand raised at its side.
Yes, yer honour!" "Please observe this testimony," rejoins the
attorney, quickly.
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