They were dressed
in fine black suits, with black silk hose, silver buckles on their
shoes, fine white ruffled shirts, and ponderous cocked hats upon their
heavily powdered wigs. Their chests were well thrown out, their chins
were held in air, their lips were judicially pursed, and their eyes
were contemplatively fixed on vacancy, as if they had never for a
moment admitted the possibility that any impediment might be offered
to their progress. It must be admitted that their bearing worthily
represented the prestige of ancient authority and moral majesty of
law. Nor did the mob fail to render the tribute of an involuntary
admiration to this imposing and apparently invincible advance. It had
evidently been taken for granted that the mere assemblying and riotous
attitude of so great a multitude, bristling with muskets and bludgeons,
would suffice to prevent the justices from making any attempt to hold
court. It was with a certain awe, and a silence interrupted only by
murmurs of astonishment, that the people now awaited their approach.
Perhaps had the throng been less dense, it might have justified the
serene and haughty confidence of the justices, by opening a path for
them.
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