the oaths are administered to the new peer, who is then conducted to his seat on the baron's bench. The coronation-robes of a baron are the same as an earl's, except that he has only two rows of spots on each shoulder. In like manner his parliamentary-robes have but two guards of white fur, with rows of gold lace : in other respects, they are the same as the peers. The cap is the same as the viscount's. But the coronet, which was not granted till the time of Charles II., has six pearls set at equal distances on the chaplet. A letter addressed to a baron is usually directed, To the Right Hon. Lord.........; and in conversation he is called, My Lord. JUDGE. A JUDGE. By the long and uniform usage of many ages, says Judge Blackstone, our kings have delegated their judicial power to the judges of their several courts. The judges are always chosen out of the serjeants at law, and are constituted by letters patent.* They are bound also by a strong oath to administer justice, and to determine all causes that may come before them according to the known laws * Except the lord chief justice of the King's Bench, who is made by writ. and and customs of the realm, which even the crown itself cannot now alter, except by act of parliament. Formerly they held their places at the royal pleasure; but, that both their dignity and independence might in future be secured, and the administration of justice, if possible, rendered more impartial, a statute of King William III. ordered their commissions to continue during good behaviour; and likewise ascertained and established for them certain salaries. Though appointed by patent, they are to continue notwithstanding the demise of the crown: but, on an address of both houses of parliament, they may at any time be lawfully removed. < To To strike them is punished in a signal manner by our laws. They are free from all prosecutions for any thing they may do in court which appears to have been an error of their judgment; but for wilful corruption they may be called to an account in parliament. It is the noble declaration of the English law, that, in criminal cases, where counsel for defence are not allowed, that the judge is always counsel for the prisoner, and is bound to see that the proceedings against him are legal and regular. In their official capacities, the judges are invariably styled, My Lord. THE |