Page:An Inquiry into the Authenticity of certain Papers and Instruments attributed to Shakspeare.djvu/29

Rh me justice, and either to allow my claim, or to assign some satisfactory reasons why it should not be established.” What, I say, would be the answer to this fine harangue? the claimant would be turned out of court, and his paper immediately flung after him.

that court, as in all other courts, it is an established rule that the best evidence the nature of the case will admit of, shall always be required, if possible to be had; but, if not possible, then the best evidence that can be had shall be allowed: “for, if it be found (says Sir William Blackstone) that there is any better evidence existing than is produced, the very not producing it is a