a
relative (I think a grandson) of the same name; and two very amusing
and valuable quarto volumes they are! From one of these Lives, we
learn how pleasantly the LORD KEEPER used to make his meals upon some
one entertaining Law-volume or another: how he would breakfast upon
_Stamford_,[359] dine upon _Coke_, and sup upon _Fitzherbert_, &c.;
and, in truth, a most insatiable book appetite did this eminent judge
possess. For, not satisfied ("and no marvel, I trow") with the
foregoing lean fare, he would oftentimes regale himself with a
well-served-up course of the _Arts_, _Sciences_, and the
_Belles-Lettres_!

[Footnote 359: These are the words of LORD KEEPER NORTH'S
Biographer: "There are of Law-Books, institutions of various
sorts, and reports of cases (now) almost innumerable. The
latter bear most the controversial law, and are read as
authority such as may be quoted: and I may say the gross of
law lecture lies in them. But to spend weeks and months
wholly in them, is like horses in a string before a loaden
waggon. They are indeed a careful sort of reading, and
chiefly require common-placing, and that makes the work go
on slowly. His LORDSHIP therefore used to mix some
institutionary reading with them, as after a fulness of the
reports in a morning, about noon, to take a repast in
_Stamford_, _Compton_, or the Lord _Coke's_ Pleas of the
Crown and Jurisdiction of Courts, _Manwood_ of the Forest
Law, _Fitzherbert's_ Natura Brevium; and also to look over
some of the Antiquarian Books, as _Britton_, _Bracton_,
_Fleta_, _Fortescue_, _Hengham_, _the old Tenures
Narrationes Novae_, the old _Natura Brevium_, and the
Diversity of Courts. These, at times, for change and
refreshment, being books all fit to be known. And those
that, as to authority, are obsoleted, go rounder off-hand,
because they require little common-placing, and that only as
to matter very singular and remarkable, and such as the
student fancies he shall desire afterwards to recover. And,
besides all this, the day afforded him room for a little
History, especially of England, modern books, and
Controversy in Print, &c. In this manner he ordered his own
studies, but with excursions into _Humanity_ and _Arts_,
beyond what may be suitable to the genius of every young
student in the law." _Life of Lord Keeper Guild