XVIII. Some Remarks on the different kinds of Trial by Ordeal, which formerly prevailed in England. By Robert Studley Vidal, Esq. In a Letter to Henry Wansey, Esq. F.A.S.

Extract

I consider myself flattered by the wish you express of knowing more of the work in which I am engaged, and to which I alluded in my former letter. The subject, from its having much of a professional cast, may perhaps fail to interest you, but since you desire to have the particulars of my plan, I send them to you with the greatest pleasure. Having, in common with many others, had frequent cause to lament that the study of our laws (if meant to be pursued with effect) requires an almost total dereliction of every other pursuit; yet, finding that the mind must have some relaxation, it occurred to me, that by noting down any curious or otherwise remarkable particulars that might meet with respecting the forensic proceedings of early times, a species of amusement might be discovered, which so far from interrupting or impeding my progress in the regular line of study, would in some measure become a stimulus, and render me less attentive to the ruggedness and difficulties of the way.