THE ROMANCE OF THE FORUM, 66 OR, Larratives, Scenes, and Anecdotes FROM COURTS OF JUSTICE. BY PETER BURKE, Esq., OF THE INNER TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW, AUTHOR OF CELEBRATED TRIALS CONNECTED WITH THE ARISTOCRACY." I'll shew thee wondrous things- Complots of mischief, treason; villainies SHAKESPEARE. IN TWO VOLUME S. VOL I. LONDON: COLBURN & CO., PUBLISHERS, 1852. Notice is hereby given, that the Publishers of this work reserve to themselves 226.b.87 PREFACE. THESE Volumes derive their contents from matter of truth more strange and startling than any flight of fiction however daring and fantastic. The reality displayed bears that affinity to romance which scenes produced by nature sometimes do to buildings that are the work of man. The quaint Gothic castles or classic temples of the rural architect lose much attraction if they be not allied to beautiful perspective-if they do not rest in a locality that accords with their own grotesque or graceful character: but the landscape itself can be fine without them, for it often unfolds hills and dales, glorious heights and gloomy recesses-wonderful views, whose effects it would be vain for architectural genius to attempt to enhance or adorn. So is it with regard to many of the narratives which justice, without respect of persons high or low, and without regard to the |