Murderers and robbers have been ere now convicted, and suffered death under such evidence, and men have said that the finger of God was in it.

In thine own land, royal brother, and upon such an occasion, the matter was tried by a solemn duel betwixt the man and the dog, as appellant and defendant in a challenge of murder.

The dog was victorious, the man was punished, and the crime was confessed.

Credit me, royal brother, that hidden crimes have often been brought to light by the testimony even of inanimate substances, not to mention animals far inferior in instinctive sagacity to the dog, who is the friend and companion of our race." "Such a duel there hath indeed been, royal brother," answered Philip, "and that in the reign of one of our predecessors, to whom God be gracious.

But it was in the olden time, nor can we hold it a precedent fitting for this occasion.