the same mode, with five affidavits to one, which lawyers term weight of metal; therefore we may justly say, the laws designed for our protection are in the hands of infamous professors, the most grievous evil the subject knows; the laws of this kingdom, though the most admirable code in the known world, are but so many implements of oppression to individuals destitute of abilities to purchase a proper share of them; a convincing proof that Liberty, unaccompanied with property, is a MERE FARCE. I will venture to affirm, that if half these outrages had been committed in an absolute monarchy, nothing less than the offender’s life would atone for the offence; from what false notions then do we bear with oppressions unknown and unheard of even amongst the Algerines, and other countries distinguished by the badge of slavery? I will maintain that, to poor individuals, such slavery is virtually LIBERTY in every ADVANTAGEOUS acceptation of the word, in a more beneficial sense than the subjects of this country experience. Do not these laws murder the wretch languishing under the intenseness of hunger, and every other motive that the wants of human nature can urge, who steals a shilling, at the same time that they screen a dignified villain, living luxuriously on the spoils of a whole nation, who, by purchasing a little well-chewed eloquence at the bar, gets his robberies graced with the epithets of error and mistake? But, of all the diabolical practices in the creed of a bailiff and pettifogger, the breaking open our houses, under PRETENCE of an execution, is surely the most shocking, though not the least frequent. This species of burglary is perpetrated in the following manner: one of their co-operators is set up a creditor, no matter for what sum; that circumstance is guided by the amount of the property discovered on the premises. A writ is immediately sued out, and another pettifogger accepts the service in the supposed defendant’s name, whom he never saw or heard of. In this manner the proceedings go on; a declaration is delivered and received in the like manner, and, to give a better colour to the transaction, a special plea is put in: in this seemingly regular mode, execution is taken out and levied on the effects of the unfortunate object, who is thunder-struck at the event, as well he may; but expostulating or complaining is fruitless. The property is either sold on the premises, or taken away for the same purpose. The officer takes shelter under his warrant. The attorney under his client’s instructions to sue.