If the warning had no effect, and the man proceeded to fresh acts of violence, then his judge took the execution of the law in his own hand, and horsewhipped the party.

Thus he involved himself in several law-suits, that drained him of pretty large sums of money.

He seemed particularly incensed at the least appearance of oppression; and supported divers poor tenants against the extortion of their landlords.

Nay, he has been known to travel two hundred miles as a volunteer, to offer his assistance in the cause of a person, who he heard was by chicanery and oppression wronged of a considerable estate.

He accordingly took her under his protection, relieved her distresses, and was at a vast expense in bringing the suit to a determination; which being unfavourable to his client, he resolved to bring an appeal into the House of Lords, and certainly would have executed his purpose, if the gentlewoman had not died in the interim." At this period Ferret interrupted the narrator, by observing that the said Greaves was a common nuisance, and ought to be prosecuted on the statute of barratry.
"No, sir," resumed Mr.Clarke, "he cannot be convicted of barratry, unless he is always at variance with some person or other, a mover of suits and quarrels, who disturbs the peace under colour of law.
Therefore he is in the indictment styled, Communis malefactor, calumniator, et seminator litium." "Pr'ythee, truce with thy definitions," cried Ferret, "and make an end to thy long-winded story.