The Young Women's Christian Association was Street) gives aid to theological students, and gives incorporated in 1871. books, tracts, etc., to clergymen. The Presbyterian Board of Publication was incorporated Feb. 14, 1837, and went into operation in 1838, on Sansom Street. A few years afterward it purchased a house on Chestnut Street, above Eighth, which was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt it of sandstone. The Presbyterian publication committee (New-School) was organized in 1852, and had its publication house on a portion of the present site. Upon the reunion of the Old and New Schools, in 1870, it was resolved to unite the two boards, and provide a larger house. The result was the construction of the present large edifice, Nos. 1334 and 1336 Chestnut Street, near Broad, of New Hampshire granite, with columns of colored and polished Aberdeen granite. It was finished in 1873, and is four stories in height, forty-four feet front, and two hundred and thirty-five feet in depth to Sansom Street. The house cost one hundred and thirty thousand dollars exclusive of furniture. Officers.-Rev. W. P. Breed, D.D., president; Hon. Joseph Allison, LL.D., Rev. James M. Crowell, D.D., Rev. Thomas J. Shepherd, D.D., vice-presidents; Rev. William E. Schenck, D.D., corresponding secretary; Rev. John W. Dulles, D.D., editorial secretary; Rev. James A. Worden, secretary of Sunday-school work; John A. Black, business superintendent; Rev. W. M. Rice, D.D., recording clerk; and S. D. Powel, treasurer. AMERICAN FUBUCATION SOCIETY AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY. The American Baptist Publication Society (No. 1420 Chestnut Street, between Broad and Fifteenth Streets) occupies a building of white marble, fortysix feet front, with a depth of two hundred and thirty feet to Sansom Street. It is four stories high, surmounted by a mansard roof. The Evangelical Educational Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church (No. 1224 Chestnut Officers.-Board of Managers, President, Hon. Felix R. Brunot; Secretary, Rev. Robert C. Matlack, D.D.; Treasurer, William C. Houston, Esq.; Rev. Thomas F. Fales, Mass.; William R. Lawrence, M.D., Mass. ; Rev. William F. Watkins, D.D., N. Y.; James M. Brown, Esq., N. Y.; Rev. W. S. Langford, Elizabeth, N. J.; Rev. J. H. Eccleston, D.D., Newark, N. J.; Rev. J. E. Grammer, D.D., Baltimore; Rev. A. M. Randolph, D.D., Baltimore; Rev. Charles E. Murray, Del.; Edward Olmsted, Esq., Phila.; William P. Cresson, Esq., Phila; Rev. Benjamin Watson, D.D., Phila.; Rev. D. S. Miller, D.D., Phila.; Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., Phila.; Rev. W. F. Paddock, D.D., Phila.; Rev. E. W. Appleton, D.D., Phila.; Rev. William N. McVickar, Phila.; Rev. W. W. Farr, D.D., Phila.; Rev. Augustus A. Marple, Phila.; Rev. J. Blake Falkner, D.D., Phila. The Pennsylvania Bible Society was organized in 1808, and incorporated Jan. 10, 1810, as the " Bible Society of Philadelphia." By supplementary act, March 7, 1840, the title was changed to the Pennsylvania Bible Society. This is the first association founded in the United States for the purpose of publishing and circulating "the Holy Scriptures without note or comment." The society circulates gratuitously and by sale from seventy-five thousand to one hundred thousand copies yearly. At present the society occupies a brick building at the northwest corner of Seventh and Walnut Streets, which is also occupied by the Philadelphia Bible Society and the Female Bible Society. Officers.-President, Rev. Bishop M. Simpson, D.D.; Vice-Presidents, Rev. Charles A. Hay, D.D., Rt. Rev. William Bacon Stevens, D.D., Hon. William Strong, LL.D., Rev. David R. Kerr, D.D., A. Updegraff, Esq., Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., Robert E. Sellers, Esq., Rev. William P. Breed, D.D., Rev. Richard Newton, D.D., Samuel Small, Esq.; Corresponding Secretary, Rev. John W. Dulles, D.D.; Recording Secretary, Gustavus Benson; Treasurer, Benjamin C. Godfrey; Secretary, Rev. Irwin H. Torrence; Depositary, John P. Rhoads. We have in the preceding pages of this chapter attempted to give a fair idea of the number and character of the charitable, benevolent, and religious institutions of Philadelphia. This city has always been justly famed for its public and private philanthrophy, and is distinguished among many other good things by a multitude of class or religious organizations, having for their sole object the relief of the needy, the destitute, and the suffering. The system of philanthropy that is now being carried out by the city in its official capacity, and by religious denominations, associations, and private individuals, is of the most disinterested and broadest character. Whenever the city was found to be in need of more extensive or general work, the citizens by spontaneous action and liberal charity have, at all times, and under all circumstances, fully met the requirements. During the last fifty years immense progress has been made, not only in this city, but throughout the world, in the treatment of the unfortunate classes. A considerable number of the insane are cured and restored to society; the idiotic are much advanced in self-control and the use of their faculties; the blind, if not taught to see, are at least so instructed that they join steadily in labors for production, and obtain much enjoyment from life; the deaf and dumb are taught to articulate so as apparently to be able to join in the business of the community, or they are so highly instructed in sign-language that they can form a social community of their own of culture, and capable of much social enjoyment. The greatest practical advance in human methods, however, has undoubtedly been in the care of the neglected, exposed, and abandoned male and female children, as seen in the foundation of so many humanitarian institutions throughout the country, in the opening of innumerable mission-schools for poor and ignorant children, and in such extended original and successful labors for the prevention of childish misery and crime as exist in this city. Nothing is more characteristic of the barbarous period of society than its utter neglect of children; while, on the other hand, the highest attainment of social wisdom and the realization of Christianity are shown in the most watchful care for the young, and especially for the children of the unfortunate and the criminal. The culture of the young guards the future of society, and the prevention of misery and crime among children is a duty at once of economy and humanity. In no way can society save the vast losses it now sustains through pauperism and criminal offenses so well as by the care and education of the children of the most destitute classes. The extent and wisdom of this care are the measures of the civilization of a people. In this respect nothing can surpass the efforts of the charitable and benevolent associations of Philadelphia, in their spirit, their organization, and their success, and they compare favorably with any other humanitarian agencies that can be found in the United States. Besides those mentioned, Philadelphia also contains the following charitable, benevolent, social, and religious institutions and associations: Hestonville Relief Society, George Institute, 5100 Lancaster Avenue. Sunday Breakfast Association, Eleventh and Wood Streets. Female Episcopal Benevolent Society (Protestant Episcopal). Female Hebrew Benevolent Society, 1411 Arch Street. Female Association for Relief of Sick and Infirm Poor (Friends'), 152 North Fifteenth Street. Presbyterian Board of Relief for Disabled Ministers, and the Widows and Orphans of Deceased Ministers. Office, 1334 Chestnut Street. Ladies' United Aid Society of the Methodist Church, Thirteenth Street and Lehigh Avenue. Musical Fund Society. Hall, Locust Street, above Eighth. Nonpareil Typographical Society, 803 Locust Street. Philadelphia Typographical Society, northwest corner Sixth and Walnut Streets. Volunteer Firemen's Funeral Relief Association. Secretary's office, 511 South Fourth Street. Society of the United Hebrew Charities, 325 North Fifth Street. Preachers' Aid Society of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, No. 1018 Arch Street. Society for the Relief of Ministers and their Widows of the German Reformed Church of the United States. Passenger Railway Relief Association of Philadelphia. Friends' Association for Relief of Sick and Infirm Poor, 152 North Fifteenth Street. Fund for the Education of the Sons of the Clergy (Protestant Episcopal). Ladies Depository Association, 1024 Walnut Street. Western Association of Ladies of Philadelphia for the Relief and Employment of the Poor, 19 South Seventeenth Street. Albion Society. Cambrian Society and Welsh Benevolent Institute, southwest corner Twelfth and Filbert Streets. Hildise Bund, 111 North Fifth Street. Italian Society, Columbus Hall, Eighth Street, below Fitzwater. Scandinavian Society, 347 North Third Street, Scots' Thistle Society, 216 Pine Street. Vlastimal Society, 347 North Third Street. Children's Asylum, Philadelphia Almshouse, Thirty-fourth and South Streets. Children's Week in the Country, No. 1112 Girard Street. The Pauline Home for Pauper Children, No. 108 Penn Street, Ger mantown. Preachers' Aid Society of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Office, 1018 Arch Street. The Education Society of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Office, 1018 Arch Street. The Philadelphia Conference Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Colson Hieskell, president. The Ladies' United Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Bishop Simpson, president, 1334 Arch Street. Penn Industrial Reform School. Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Vice and Crime, 209 South Sixth Street. Board of Public Charities of the State of Pennsylvania. Office 1224 Chestnut Street. Germantown Poor-House, Rittenhouse Street. BENEFICIAL SOCIETIES. Bank Clerks' Beneficial Association, southwest corner of Twelfth and Filbert Streets. Book-Keepers' Beneficial Association, Twelfth and Filbert Streets. Hunt Female Beneficial Association, 1137 Ogden Street. Mercantile Beneficial Association, Mercantile Library Building, Tenth Street, above Chestnut. Mutual Aid Association of Friends, Race Street, above Fifteenth, National Beneficial Association, 462 North Fourth Street. St. John's Young Men's Beneficial Society, Queen Street, near Sixth. Young Men's Hebrew Association, Thirteenth and Arch Streets. Free Sons of Israel, Magnolia Street, above Fifth. Asbury Beneficial Society of the City and County of Philadelphia. Expressmen's Beneficial Society of Philadelphia. Female Hope Beneficial Society of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Union Beneficial Society. St. Mary's Beneficial Society of the City of Philadelphia. St. Paul's Beneficial Society of Young Men of the City and County of Philadelphia. Samaritan Beneficial Society of the City and County of Philadelphia. Southwark Beneficial Society. United Hebrew Beneficial Society of Philadelphia. Hebrew Society for the Visitation of the Sick and Mutual Assistance. Jefferson Assistance Society of Germantown. Ladies' United Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Keystone Mutual Beneficial Society, corner of Sixth and Vine Streets. St. Matthew's Beneficial Association, Eighteenth Street and Girard Avenue. Unity Yearly Beneficial Association, north west corner of Ridge Avenue and Wallace Street. The Teachers' Beneficial Asscciation of Philadelphia, Board of Education Building, Filbert Street, above Seventh. WORKINGMEN'S CLUBS. Epiphany Workingmen's Club, Market Street, below Seventeenth. Franklin Workingmen's Club, 104 East Huntingdon Street. Germantown Workingmen's Club, 4504 Germantown Avenue. St. Mark's Workingmen's Club, southwest corner of Seventeenth and Kater Streets. St. Timothy's Workingmen's Club and Institute, Wissahickon Station, Norristown Branch of Philadelphia and Reading Railroad. Workingmen's Club and Reading-Room (Church of the Mediator), South Nineteenth Street, above Lombard. Workingmen's Club and Beneficial Society of St. Peter's Church, 100 Pine Street. Workingmen's Club of Holy Trinity Parish, 2322 Market Street. Progressive Workingmen's Club, 424 South Eleventh Street. Workingmen's Club and Reading-Rooms of St. Luke's Church, 342 Dugan Street. St. Clement's Workingmen's Club, 254 North Twentieth Street. Blue Bell Hill Workingmen's Club, Old Township Line and Walnut Lane. Mount Vernon Workingmen's Club, 1125 Mount Vernon Street. Trinity Church Workingmen's Club, Forty-second and Woodland Avenue. St. Mark's Guild, Frankford. Friends' Association for the Free Instruction of Poor Children, Winslow Street, near Jacoby. Friends' Association for the Aid and Elevation of the Freedmen. Friends' Association for the Relief of Colored Freedmen. Pennsylvania Society for Improving the Condition of the African Race. Association of Friends for the Free Instruction of Adult Colored Persons, 304 Arch Street. Orphan Education Society, under care of the Congregation Keneseth Israel, Sixth Street, above Brown. Penn Sewing School (Friends'), Race Street, above Fifteenth. West Philadelphia Industrial School (Roman Catholic), Pine and Thirty-ninth Streets. FREE INSTITUTES AND LIBRARIES. West Philadelphia Institute, northwest corner of Fortieth and Ludlow Streets. Young Men's Institute, 232 Walnut Street, having charge of the following, viz.: 1. Mechanics' Institute, South Fifth Street, below Washington Avenue. 2. Moyamensing Literary Institute, corner of Catharine and Eleventh Streets 3. Philadelphia City Institute, northeast corner of Chestnut and Eighteenth Streets. 4. Spring Garden Institute, corner of Broad and Spring Garden Streets. 5. Kensington Literary Institute, corner of Girard Avenue and Day Street. Sub-Primary School Society. The Society for Providing Evangelical Literature for the Blind, 3518 Lancaster Avenue. Bishop White Parish Library Association, 325 South Twelfth Street. Churchmen's Missionary Association for Seamen of the Port of Philadelphia (Protestant Episcopal), northwest corner of Front and Queen Streets. Indians' Hope Association (Protestant Episcopal) of Pennsylvania, 411 Spruce Street. Indian Aid Association (Friends'), Race Street, above Fifteenth. Locust Street Mission Association (Friends'), southeast corner of Locust and Raspberry Streets. Board of City Missions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Philadelphia, 726 North Seventh Street. Board of Trustees of the Howard Building, Bainbridge Street, east of Fourth. Bishop White Prayer-Book Society (Protestant Episcopal). Bible Association of Friends in America, 116 North Fourth Street. Philadelphia Conference Tract Society, 1018 Arch Street. Tract Association of Friends, 304 Arch Street. Streets. Mutual Aid Association of Friends, Fifteenth and Race Streets. Protestant Episcopal Sunday-School Association, 1102 Walnut Street. Women's Auxiliary to the Board of Missions (Protestant Episcopal). Society for the Promoting Christianity among the Jews (Protestant Episcopal). Society for the Advancement of Christianity in Pennsylvania (Protestant Episcopal). Flower Mission. Germantown Flower Mission. Beneficent Building Association, 619 Walnut Street. Philadelphia Fountain Society. Office, 1512 Walnut Street. Church Temperance Society (Protestant Episcopal). CHAPTER XXXIX. THE BENCH AND BAR. We know not how old may be the expression that, ever since our childhood, we have often heard, even among uneducated persons, when reference was made to uncommonly subtle and difficult questions," That would puzzle a Philadelphia lawyer." But whoever has carefully studied the history of the bench and bar of this city has found why that expression originated; for during a period of very many years, not only since, but before the Declaration of Independence (in the year 1776), the bench and the bar of Philadelphia were above those of any other city in North America. For a long time the most populous in the country, near the centre of its population, the chief gathering-place for the councils of the several colonies, afterward the seat of the Federal government for a quarter of a century, Philadelphia became the cynosure that attracted far more than its proportional share of talent, learning, and enterprise. The lawyer was not an object of solicitude to the founder of Pennsylvania. The people who came with him were opposed to litigation and to lawyers who were servants of litigation. The earliest legislation of the province was such as tended to discourage, and even prevent, the rise of the legal profession, as if it were hostile or at least hindering to civil and social progress. William Penn and Friends who came with him were influenced by this prejudice. In some respects a man of marvelous sagacity, a statesman, considering the examples of his times, of uncommon sense of justice and liberality, yet he dreaded the influence upon his proprietary rights and the fortunes of his family by the too early growth into importance of a class above a safe level of intelligence in the concerns of government. A judicature of some sort he could not fail to know to be necessary for society, however peaceful and pious in its foundation. Yet he thought it prudent to organize it by placing at its head such men as Cousins Markham and Crispin, not too learned in the lore of courts, and especially men who would be faithful to himself, who was the chief fountain of all law in the province. William Penn was a man who deeply, sincerely loved peace. It was his earnest desire that all disputes among his followers should be settled among themselves, either by private reference or at "meeting." Knowing this to be impracticable upon other than a very limited scale, he provided for the appointment of "peacemakers," who were to be arbitrators with the powers of judges and jurors to settle disputes. These means failing, he organized courts which were to be held in terror over those who had failed to " agree with their adversaries while in the way with them." It is interesting to contemplate the curious blending of the functions of government in these courts instituted by a man of great virtues and sagacity, yet not learned in judicial science, and jealous, perhaps unconsciously to much extent, of those who might be. There was the Provincial Council, presided over by Penn himself, proprietary and Governor. This, also, exercised in some matters the functions of a High Court of Errors and Appeals. The following is a decree rendered in this court in an early case: The Court" advised them [the parties] to shake hands and forgive one another, and ordered that they should enter into bonds for fifty pounds a piece for their good abearance, which accordingly they did." The final order in the decree seems strange, considering how fair was the proprietary in his usual dealings. "It was also ordered that the records of the court concerning that business should be burnt." This action was prophetic of what was to be afterward when the press should make its first efforts to become free. The proprietary was desirous that whatever was discordant or unhappy in his government should be known as little as possible to the public, abroad or at home; that his administration, if not entirely peaceful, should at least appear so, except among the discordant and litigant themselves. His opposition to lawyers was owing as much, perhaps, as any other reason, to his apprehension of their fomenting litigation, and the publicity that would be given by their extravagant assaults and defenses of parties in judicial suits. With the exception of this unreasonable prejudice, the earliest system of provincial jurisdiction was singularly good, consisting of that above mentioned, and those subordinate. Peter McCall, in his address before the Law Academy of Philadelphia, in 1838, thus speaks of that system: "The first organization of the courts was admirable for its simplicity and convenience. The County Court, in the days of Alfred and Egbert, a tribunal of great dignity and splendor, was drawn from the obscurity into which it had sunk after the Norman invasion, and was made the ground-work of the edifice. It was composed of the justices of the peace of the several counties, with an appeal to the Provincial or Supreme Court. The Provincial Court originally consisted of five judges. The members afterward varied from five to three, who went their circuits every fall and spring in each county. To it belonged the cognizance of the higher criminal offenses, and all appeals from the County Courts, both in law and equity. To complete the structure there were added the Quarter Sessions and Orphans' Court, and the Admiralty. Such was the plan of the judicial system established at the settlement of the colony; so simple, yet convenient in its arrangements, that though frequent alterations were made in its details by subsequent legislation, the general outline remains to the present day a standing proof of its enduring excellence." As early as 1685 the county courts, which had theretofore been courts of law only, were made those of equity also, the same justices holding them, but when sitting in equity causes called commissioners. The proprietary and his Council held Admiralty jurisdiction until the year 1693, after which the judges of the Vice-Admiralty were appointed by the commissioners of the Admiralty in England, with commissions by the crown under the great seal of the High Court of Admiralty. In 1789 the Admiralty jurisdiction was vested by the Constitution of the United States in the United States District Courts. Penn made whatever efforts that seemed possible of success to make the evil of lawyers, whom he could not but foresee would arise in time, as harmless as possible. In the year 1686 a law was made "for the avoiding of too frequent clamors and manifest inconveniences which usually attend mercenary pleadings in civil causes." By this law it was enacted that noe person shall plead in any civill causes of another in any court whatsoever within this province and territories before he be solemnly attested in open court that he neither directly nor indirectly hath in anywise taken, or will take or receive to his use or benefit any reward whatsoever for his soe pleading, under penalty of £5, if the contrary be made appear." Before this, besides the right of all persons to "plead in their own cases," had been allowed that whenever not able so to do, "by their friends." A lawyer, therefore, might plead for the love but not the money of his friend, a rule that did not seem likely to produce very soon a very able bar. To prevent further litigation that might make necessary the employment of persons learned in the law, the arbitration law was passed in 1705, providing that parties having accounts to produce one against another may consent to a rule of court for referring the adjustment thereof to certain persons mutually chosen by them in open court, whose award, when approved of by the court and entered upon the record, should have the effect of a verdict given by a jury. This law was extremely popular and was adhered to for many years subsequent to the sorts among the early judges. We are informed that war of independence. Of the county courts there were three: the Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions of the Peace, and the Orphans' Court. Special Courts of Oyer and Terminer were held by judges specially appointed for that service from time to time, including almost always at least one of those on the Supreme Bench. Besides these was the City Court, consisting of the mayor, recorder, and aldermen, presided over by the recorder. As to the locality of what is known as equity jurisdiction apart from that of common law, it maintained during many years conflicts for independent separate existence. out of the act of 1701 that invested the judges of the Common Pleas with equity powers, arose speedily a dispute whether the Governor should or should not be chancellor. Yet it is scarcely to be denied that this very confusion regarding the province of equity was a benefit to judicial legislation not only in Pennsylvania, but in other States which looked to Philadelphia when it possessed the most gifted examples, both upon the bench and at the bar. Except for a period of fifteen years (from 1720 to 1735) there never has been in the State a distinct Court of Chancery. Such a court was established during the administration of Governor Keith; but it was abolished after the brief period above mentioned. Under his influence the law had been enacted in the hope of settling forever the question of where was located the proper home of that jurisdiction that was intended to baffle the chicanery of lawyers, and miti In Pennsylvania there were courts before Penn. Forty years anterior to his proprietorship (1642) they had been established by John Printz, the Swedish Governor, at New Gottenburg, now Tinicum. This lawgiver had instructed his judges to decide all controversies according to the laws, customs, and usages of Sweden. The seat of justice was removed to Up-gate the rigors of the common law. The Governor's land (since Chester) about twenty years afterward, the Dutch on taking possession of the country (in 1664) and the English (1672) having allowed, until Penn's accession, the magistrates to continue in office. In fact, for several years Upland Court was the superior tribunal which ruled in legal matters over all the territory upon the upper Delaware from Chester up to the falls. proclamation regarding that court runs thus: "A PROCLAMATION.-Whereas, complaints have been made that Courts of Chancery or Equity are absolutely necessary in the administration of Justice for mitigating in many cases ye Rigor of ye Laws, whose Judgments are tied down to fixed and unalterable Rules, and for Opening a way to the Right and Equity of a Cause, for which the Law cannot in all cases make a Sufficient Provision, Have, notwithstanding, been but too seldom regularly held in this Province in such a manner as ye Aggrieved Subject might obtain ye Relief which by such Courts ought to be Granted. And, Whereas, the Representatives of ye Freemen of this Province, taking the same into Consideration, did at their last meeting in Assembly request me that I would with ye Assistance of ye Council Open and hold such a Court of Equity for this Province. To ye end, therefore, that his Majesties' good subjects may no longer labor under those inconveniences which are now Complained of, I have thought fitt by, &c., with ye advice of ye Council, hereby to Publish and Declare, That with their assistance I Purpose (God Willing) to open and hold a Court of Chancery or Equity for this Province of Pennsylvania at ye Court-House of Philadelphia, on Thursday, ye twenty-fifth day of this instant (August), From which date the said Court will be and remain always open for ye Relief of ye subject, to hear and Determine all such matters arising within the Province afores as are regularly cognizable before any Court of Chancery, According to ye Laws and Constitution of that part of Great Britain called England and his Majesties' Judges of his Supreme Court, as well as ye Justices of ye Superior Courts, and all others whom it may concern are required to take notice hereof and govern themselves accordingly. "Given at Philadelphia ye tenth day of August, in the Seventh year of ye Reign of Our Sovereign Lord GEORGE, King of Great Britain, Penn came to his office with his share of the notions of his countrymen who were unlearned in the law, about both the necessity of its being and of restraint upon the action of its officials. It is curious to contemplate how soon an able bar arose in Philadelphia, when we remember not only rules were made against their practicing in the courts for fees or rewards, but that for a long period none of them were placed upon the bench; and, further, that these courts, thus instituted, were partly judicial, partly executive, partly legislative; and, further, that their judicial functions were partly according to common law and partly to equity. To add to what now, at least, appears to have been confusing, some of the officials in one court had co-ordinate jurisdiction with those in another; for instance, the aldermen of the city sat in the France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., Annoq. Domini, 1720. City Court as associate judges, the recorder at the head, and such of those as were justices of the peace and of the courts assisted the other justices or judges in the Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Courts. They were justices of the peace who were commissioned as justices of the courts that held the county courts (Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court) from the beginning as far as the Revolution; and before that time, certainly at least in the Court of Common Pleas, scarcely a single lawyer had ever been raised to the bench. As for the confusion concerning the exercise of equity jurisdiction, this arose, in spite of the fact that it was assigned by law to the Court of Common Pleas, from the lack of learning of all "God Save the King. "WILLIAM KEITH." The law enacting the establishing of this court was repealed, as we have seen, and since that time (1735) there has not been another. The sentiments of a large majority of the people of Pennsylvania, both as a province and a State, have been averse to a separate court of equity. Indeed, there is no need of such a court anywhere when equitable jurisdiction is imparted to common law judges with the caution which has been observed in the courts of this State. The time has long passed when decrees in equity can be rendered according to the individual notions of right and wrong entertained by presiding magistrates. |