-- What then will be the
consequence? -- They must either starve in company, or one side
must sacrifice their conscience to their convenience, and join in
a verdict which they believe to be false. This absurdity is
avoided in Sweden, where a bare majority is sufficient; and in
Scotland, where two thirds of the jury are required to concur in
the verdict.
You must not imagine that all these deductions were made on his
part, without contradictions on mine. -- No -- the truth is, I found
myself piqued in point of honour, at his pretending to be so much
wiser than his neighbours. -- I questioned all his assertions,
started innumerable objections, argued and wrangled with uncommon
perseverance, and grew very warm, and even violent, in the
debate. -- Sometimes he was puzzled, and once or twice, I think,
fairly refuted; but from those falls he rose again, like Antaeus,
with redoubled vigour, till at length I was tired, exhausted, and
really did not know how to proceed, when luckily he dropped a
hint, by which he discovered he had been bred to the law; a
confession which enabled me to retire from the dispute with a
good grace, as it could not be supposed that a man like me, who
had been bred to nothing, should be able to cope with a veteran
in his own profession.
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