I dropped in at
Guild-hall, where Judge Nares was sitting at the City Common Pleas; on his
cushion were worked the city arms, and also on the Recorder's, I presume to
remind them of the city rights. I was fortunate in procuring a seat just behind
Sergeant Davy, and heard as far as my imperfect organs (and the noise and
confusion) would admit. While he was opening the case, he was obliged to rise
out of his seat, step forward and lean down to hear, in a manner unbecoming the
dignity of a judge. Every fact of importance delivered by a witness was noted
down by the judge as well as counsel. The noise was much greater than would be
allowed in our American courts.
I have seen the Lord
Mayor in his court; but this court seems more like a reference business than
any thing else. Through uncommon good fortune, I have, without the customary
delay of two or three weeks, been admitted into the British Museum, Montague
House, a truly royal institution for the preservation of the productions of
nature and art. Saw the first Bible printed by authority, on vellum, and
turning to the 91st Psalm, 5th verse, instead of "Thou shalt not be afraid
of the terrors by night," etc., I saw the following: "Thou shalt
not fear the bugs and vermin by night," etc. There are many other
as remarkable differences, but had not time to examine many texts.
I am just informed
of a most melancholy event, the destruction of Charlestown in Massachusetts by the
king's troops, which all agree in; the other parts of the story are told
differently. Mr. Brecknock says the king's troops would not fight, but laid
down their arms, which is the reason of the great carnage among the officers.
My distress and anxiety for my friends and countrymen embitter every hour. May
it please God to inspire men of influence on either side the Atlantic, with
juster sentiments of the real interest of Great Britain and the colonies than
they seem to have possessed hitherto.
SOURCE: George
Atkinson Ward, Journal and Letters of the Late Samuel Curwen, Judge of
Admiralty, etc., An American Refugee in England from 1775 to 1784, pP. 32-3
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