The origin of confning Jurors from meat


and drink
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The Gothic nation were famous Of old. in
Europe for the quantity of food and drink which
they consumed. The Ancient Germans and
their Saxon descendants in England, Were re-
markabIe for their hearty meals. Gluttony and
drunkenness were so very common, that these
vices were not considered disgraceiul; and
Tacitus represents the former as capable Of be-
ing as easily overcome by strong drink as by
arms. Intemperance was SO general and habitu-
al. that no one was thought fit for serious busi-
ness after dinner; and under this persuasion it
was enacted in the laws. that judges should hear
and determine causes fasting, and not after din.
ner.


An Italian aulhof>in his Antiquities" plainly
afirms that this regulation was framed for the
purpose of avoiding thAunsonnd DEGREES conse,
quen. upon intOxicatiOn and DR.. Gilbert Stuart.
very Pertinently OBSERVES in his "Hislorical
Dissertation concerning Ahe Antiquity of the
British Constitution" that from the propensity
of the older Britons to indulge excessively in
eating and drinking has proceeded the restriction
upon jurors and jurymen, to refrain from meat
and drink and to be even held in custody, un.
til they had agreed upon their verdict