a condition of peace between Charles I. and the Irish Confederates in 1646. The practice gradually ceased to be general after it had been forbidden by law, but even near the end of Charles II.'s reign it still prevailed in the rocky barony of Burren in Clare, where it was found necessary to tolerate it. Arthur Young found the barbarous custom still strong in Cavan, and in Connaught it was not quite extinct even in Queen Victoria's reign. Its cheapness really recommended the practice, which was even defended on the ground of humanity, because it shortened the draught.[114] [Sidenote: Alleged legal extortion.] [Sidenote: Excessive fees.] [Sidenote: Chichester is absolved.] It had been complained--and in what age or country has there been no such complaint?--that clerks in the law courts exacted excessive fees, the fear of which prevented men from taking legal remedy. Chichester was able to answer that all scales of charges had been twice carefully overhauled, that they were now much less than in Queen Elizabeth's time, and that those who had reason to complain well knew that he would give them redress if required. The Commissioners found it very hard to get the exact truth because both judges and officers were so frequently changed, but they found abuse 'in some particular cases.' Chichester had greatly increased the revenue, and, as he believed, without adding to the burden of the people; but some new offices had been created in the Exchequer, and it was not clear that this was always to the advantage of either King or subject. Many clerks of courts sought 'to make their fees equal both in number and value with the fees paid to like officers in England, which seemeth heavy to the subjects of this kingdom, being generally of much less ability.' The Commissioners made arrangement for the preparation of accurate lists of fees, and they unanimously exonerated Chichester from any malpractice. 'We found the Deputy upright,' wrote one Commissioner in his diary. Another in a letter, after hearing voluminous evidence, thought too much time was taken up with trivialities. 'Whole heaps' of cases of oppression by soldiers had nevertheless, he said, been established, and he seems to have thought the military element in the Government much too strong. It had been said by a man of good understanding, Cornwallis reported, that 'these Irish are a scurvy nation, and are as scurvily used,' and he supposed that when he had heard the Commissioners on their return his noble correspondent would be of the same opinion.[115] [Sidenote: Royal proclamation, Feb. 7, 1613-1614.] [Sidenote: Chichester is sent for.]