
generally hold out till his fellows are fatigued, and harrassed, and starved
into concurrence; in which case the verdict is unjust, and the jurors are all
perjured: but cases will often occur, when the jurors are really divided in
opinion, and each side is convinced in opposition to the other; but no verdict
will be received, unless they are unanimous, and they are all bound, not only in
conscience, but by oath, to judge and declare according to their conviction. -
What then will be the consequence? - They must either starve in company, or one
side must sacrifice their conscience to their convenience, and join in a verdict
which they believe to be false. This absurdity is avoided in Sweden, where a
bare majority is sufficient; and in Scotland, where two-thirds of the jury are
required to concur in the verdict.
    You must not imagine that all these deductions were made on his part,
without contradiction on mine. - No - the truth is, I found myself piqued in
point of honour, at his pretending to be so much wiser than his neighbours. - I
questioned all his assertions, started innumerable objections, argued and
wrangled with uncommon perseverance, and grew very warm, and even violent, in
the debate. - Sometimes he was puzzled, and once or twice, I think, fairly
refuted; but from those falls he rose again, like Antæus, with redoubled vigour,
till at length I was tired, exhausted, and really did not know how to proceed,
when luckily he dropped a hint, by which he discovered he had been bred to the
law; a confession which enabled me to retire from the dispute with a good grace,
as it could not be supposed that a man like me, who had been bred to nothing,
should be able to cope with a veteran in his own profession. I believe, however,
that I shall for some time continue to chew the cud of reflection upon many
observations which this original discharged.
    Whether our sister Tabby was really struck with his conversation, or is
resolved to throw at every thing she meets in the shape of a man, till she can
fasten the matrimonial noose, certain it is, she has taken desperate strides
towards the affection of Lismahago, who cannot be said to have met her half way,
tho' he does not seem altogether insensible to her civilities. - She insinuated
more than once how happy we should be to have his company through that part of
Scotland which we proposed to visit, till at length he plainly told us, that his
road was totally different
