d there
did, to the great damage of the said John Doe, and against the
peace of our said Lord the now King. Wherefore the said John Doe
saith that he is injured, and hath sustained damage to the value of
L50, and therefore he brings his suit, &c.

"SQUEAL, for the Plaintiff. { Pledges of } John Den.
GROWL, for the Defendant. { Prosecution. } Richard Fenn.

"MR. JACOB JOLTER,

"I am informed that you are in possession of, or claim title to,
the premises in this Declaration of Ejectment mentioned, or to some
part thereof: And I, being sued in this action as a _casual
ejector_ only, and having no claim or title to the same, do advise
you to appear, next Hilary term, in His Majesty's Court of King's
Bench at Westminster, by some attorney of that Court; and then and
there, by a rule to be made of the same Court, to cause yourself to
be made defendant in my stead; otherwise, I shall suffer judgment
to be entered against me by default, and you will be turned out of
possession.

"Your loving friend,
RICHARD ROE.
"Dated this 8th day of December 18--."[16]

You may regard the above document in the light of a deadly and
destructive missile, thrown by an unperceived enemy into a peaceful
citadel; attracting no particular notice from the innocent unsuspecting
inhabitants--among whom, nevertheless, it presently explodes, and all is
terror, death, and ruin.

Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Aubrey's solicitor, who resided at Grilston, the
post-town nearest to Yatton, from which it was distant about six or
seven miles, was sitting on the evening of Tuesday the 28th December
18--, in his office, nearly finishing a letter to his London agents,
Messrs. Runnington and Company--one of the most eminent firms in the
profession--and which he was desirous of despatching by that night's
mail. Among other papers which have come into my hands in connection
with this history, I have happened to light on the letter which he was
writing; and as it is not long, and affords a specimen of the way in
which business is carried on between town and country attorneys and
solicitors, here followeth a copy of it:--

"Grilston, 28th Dec. 18--.

"DEAR SIRS,

"_Re Middleton_.

"Have you got the marr