At the assizes at Bury, at the time we speak of, the sheriff's pomp and state was something approaching to regal splendour. His gaudy liveries, his gilded carriage, his courtly dress, and all the expenses attendant upon such a station, made it a heavy burden to the unfortunate country gentleman who should be appointed to such an office. The balls, too, and public entertainments common at such time in the county, formed a striking contrast to the sorrows and despair of the criminals. The judges entered the town, the trumpets sounded, the bells rang, the sheriff's carriage was surrounded with hosts of gapers of all kinds, to see their lordships alight at the Angel steps. The Lord Chief Baron Macdonald and Mr. Justice Heath attended divine service, at St. James's Church, previously to their entering the courts. Who could look down upon that assemblage, and see those grave men, with their white wigs crowned with black patches, their scarlet robes, lined with ermine, preceded by the sheriff's officers, and all the municipal servants of that ancient borough, with their gilt chains, silver maces, and ample robes, and not think of the purpose for which they were assembled! The best preparation for the scenes met with in a court of justice, is the house of prayer; though even here there is a strange contrast between the peace and quietness of the church, and the bustle, broil, and turmoil usually attendant on the administration of criminal justice. At twelve o'clock, on the day of trial, August 9th, 1797, the Lord Chief Baron Macdonald took his seat upon the bench, in the criminal court. Mr. Justice Heath presided in the Nisi Prius. On the right hand of the Lord Chief Baron sat the High Sheriff, Chalonor Archdeckne, Esq., of Glevering Hall, with his chaplain, and a full bench of county and borough magistrates. After the proclamation had been read, the respective lists of the grand jury for the county and the liberty were then called over, as follows:-- FOR THE COUNTY Lord Viscount Brome. Sir John Blois, Bart. Philip Bowes Broke, Esq. Charles Berners, jun., Esq. George Golding, Esq. William Middleton, Esq. Eleazar Davy, Esq. John Frere, Esq. Matthias Kerrison, Esq. Wolfran Lewis, Esq. John Sheppard, Esq. Francis Broke, Esq. Mileson Edgar, Esq. Robert Trotman, Esq. John Bleadon, Esq. John Cobbold, Esq. Thomas Green, Esq. Joseph Burch Smith, Esq. Thomas Shaw, Esq. John Vernon, Esq. James Reeve, Esq. James Stutter, Esq. FOR THE LIBERTY Sir Charles Bunbury, Bart. Sir Charles Davers, Bart. Sir Thomas Cullum, Bart. Sir Harry Parker, Bart. Sir William Rowley, Bart. Nathaniel Lee Acton, Esq. Capel Lofft, Esq. Samuel Brice, Esq. William Parker, Esq. Richard Moore, Esq. Robert Walpole, Esq. James Oakes, Esq.