cipality of Wales; he took many wise and vigorous measures for
reducing Scotland to a like condition; and though the equity of this
latter enterprise may reasonably be questioned, the circumstances of
the two kingdoms promised such certain success, and the advantage was so
visible of uniting the whole island under one head, that those who give
great indulgence to reasons of state in the measures of princes, will
not be apt to regard this part of his conduct with much severity. But
Edward, however exceptionable his character may appear on the head
of justice, is the model of a politic and warlike king: he possessed
industry, penetration, courage, vigilance, and enterprise: he was frugal
in all expenses that were not necessary; he knew how to open the public
treasures on a proper occasion; he punished criminals with severity; he
was gracious and affable to his servants and courtiers; and being of a
majestic figure, expert in all military exercises, and in the main well
proportioned in his limbs, notwithstanding the great length and the
smallness of his legs, he was as well qualified to captivate the
populace by his exterior appearance, as to gain the approbation of men
of sense by his more solid virtues.

But the chief advantage which the people of England reaped, and
still continue to reap, from the reign of this great prince, was the
correction, extension, amendment, and establishment of the laws which
Edward maintained in great vigor, and left much improved to posterity;
for the acts of a wise legislator commonly remain, while the acquisition
of a conqueror often perish with him. This merit has justly gained to
Edward the appellation of the English Justinian. Not only the numerous
statutes passed in his reign touch the chief points of jurisprudence,
and, according to Sir Edward Coke,[*] truly deserve the name of
establishments, because they were more constant, standing, and durable
laws than any made since; but the regular order maintained in his
administration gave an opportunity to the common law to refine itself,
and brought the judges to a certainty in their determinations, and the
lawyers to a precision in their pleadings. Sir Matthew Hale has remarked
the sudden improvement of English law during this reign; and ventures
to assert, that till his own time it had never received any considerable
increase.[**] Edward settled the jurisdiction of the several courts;
first established the office of justice of peace; absta