a divorce.  Thus a marriage, projected by ambition, and prosecuted by violent means, closed with that utter misery to the parties with which it had commenced; and for our present purpose has served to show, that when a lawyer like Coke holds his “high-handed tyrannical courses,” the law of nature, as well as the law of which he is “the oracle,” will be alike violated under his roof.  Wife and daughter were plaintiffs or defendants on whom this lord chief-justice closed his ear:  he had blocked up the avenues to his heart with “Law!  Law!  Law!” his “old song!”

Beyond his eightieth year, in the last parliament of Charles the First, the extraordinary vigour of Coke’s intellect flamed clear under the snows of age.  No reconciliation ever took place between the parties.  On a strong report of his death, her ladyship, accompanied by her brother, Lord Wimbledon, posted down to Stoke-Pogis to take possession of his mansion; but beyond Colebrook they met with one of his physicians coming from him with the mortifying intelligence of Sir Edward’s amendment, on which they returned at their leisure.  This happened in June, 1634, and on the following September the venerable sage was no more!

OF COKE’S STYLE, AND HIS CONDUCT.

This great lawyer, perhaps, set the example of that style of railing and invective in the courts, which the egotism and craven insolence of some of our lawyers include in their practice at the bar.  It may be useful to bring to recollection Coke’s vituperative style in the following dialogue, so beautiful in its contrast with that of the great victim before him!  The attorney-general had not sufficient evidence to bring the obscure conspiracy home to Rawleigh, with which, I believe, however, he had cautiously tampered.  But Coke well knew that James the First had reason to dislike the hero of his age, who was early engaged against the Scottish interests, and betrayed by the ambidexterous policy of Cecil.  Coke struck at Rawleigh as a sacrifice to his own political ambition, as we have seen he afterwards immolated his daughter; but his personal hatred was now sharpened by the fine genius and elegant literature of the man; faculties and acquisitions the lawyer so heartily contemned!  Coke had observed, “I know with whom I deal; for we have to deal to-day with a MAN OF WIT.”

COKE.  Thou art the most vile and execrable traytor that ever lived.

RAWLEIGH.  You speak indiscreetly, barbarously, and uncivilly.

COKE.  I want words sufficient to express thy viperous treason.

RAWLEIGH.  I think you want words indeed, for you have spoken one thing half-a-dozen times.

COKE.  Thou art an odious fellow; thy name is hateful to all the realm of England for thy pride.

RAWLEIGH.  It will go near to prove a measuring cast between you and me, Mr. Attorney.

COKE.  Well, I will now make it appear to the world that there never lived a viler viper upon the face of the earth than thou.  Thou art a monster; thou hast an English face, but a Spanish heart.  Thou viper! for I thou thee, thou traitor!  Have I angered you?