Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 3.djvu/99

 LAWS. 85 nicely balance the equilibrium ; nothing adding or taking from either side." — " He must be above all bribery, either by words or money, and never allow himself to be induced to commit an act of in- justice ; for, were a judge to commit an act of this kind, the consequence could not but be highly in- jurious to the country." — *' He must not accept presents of any kind from the parties whose cause comes before him, not only because he cannot ex- pect to derive advantage therefrom, but also be- cause the public will hold discourse concerning him highly injurious to his reputation." — " All causes in dispute must be decided upon by him, with the least possible delay, according to law, and not kept long in suspense to the injury of the par- ties concerned, lest he be considered like a holy man, who, for the sake of money, sacrifices his good name." — " A judge must inquire into every circumstance relating to the causes brought before him, and duly investigate the evidence ; after which he must take the cause into consideration. He must not in the least listen to what is false, and, on all occasions, decide according to truth." Such self-evident maxims, and crude instructions for the conduct of a judge, could only, thus pom- pously, be paraded in a very rude and early stage of social union, and of the science of ethics. The judge, in all these cases, being no more than the law assessor, the law makes no scruple in punish.