mount triumphantly the pinnacle of glory, or at
least open the way for one of my own family and name to enter without
opposition.

The work is now cut out, and must be finish'd, I have ventur'd too far
to recede, my honour's at stake, my importance, nay my life, depends
upon it!

Last night's three hours' closeting has effectually done the business;
then I spoke my mind in such terms as to make a lasting impression,
never to be eradicated--all--all was given up to me, and now since I
hold the reins of government, since I am possessed of supreme power,
every thing shall be subservient to my royal will and pleasure.

SCENE II.

_Enter MOCKLAW._

MOCKLAW. I am your Lordship's most obedient humble servant.

PARAMOUNT. Be seated,--I sent for you to have a small conference with
you--and to let you know, your advice respecting certain points of law,
I have found succeeded to admiration; even beyond my most sanguine
expectations.

MOCKLAW. I am heartily glad of it, altho' the advice I gave your
Lordship, I cannot say, was law; yet, your Lordship can easily pass it
as such by a royal proclamation: and should it ever be disputed, I have
quirks and quibbles enough at your service, with Mr. Brazen and Mr.
Attorney-General's assistance, to render it so doubtful, obscure and
ambiguous, as to puzzle Lord Justice, perplex Dunning, and confound
Glynn.

PARAMOUNT. Can you show me an instance of a royal proclamation passing
for a law? or advise me how to make it such, if you can, I shall make it
well worth your study.

MOCKLAW. My Lord, as you have now got a parliament exactly to your mind,
ev'ry thing you propose will be granted; but in order that you may see
precedents are not wanting--there is a statute in the reign of Henry the
8th that expressly shews the then parliament passed a law that the
king's proclamation should be the law of the land--

PARAMOUNT. Are you sure of that?

MOCKLAW. My Lord, here it is--this is real law: _Luce meridiana
clariora_. When we find any thing of this kind, ready made to our hands,
it's a treasure we should never part with.

[_PARAMOUNT reads._

PARAMOUNT. I see it plain! this, this alone is worth a ton of
gold.--Now, by St. Andrew! I'll strike a stroke that shall surprise all
Europe, and make the boldest of the adverse party turn pale and
tremble--Scotch politics, Scotch intrigues, Scotch influence, and Scotch
impudence (as they ha