HALE, Sir MATTHEW, a distinguished lawyer, b. in 1609 at Alderley, Gloucester shire. In his 5th year he lost his parents, and was brought up by a kinsman of strict Puritan principles, and intended for the church. He was sent to Oxford university at 16, and was of studious disposition till a company of strolling-players visited that seat of learning, when the long pent-up passions of youth were suddenly let loose, and in this vagrant company he gave way to a good deal of dissipation, and at last was about to enter the army. But just at that time he became involved in a litigation about his patrimonial estate, and paid a visit to London to see sergeant Glanvil, then a leading lawyer, on that subject. The sergeant turned young lIale's ambition into a new direc tion; and ultimately, in 1629, the latter entered the society of Lincoln's Inn, and was in due course called to the bar. He had by that time renounced gay company, and became a great student, and soon acquired considerable practice. When the long parliament began to meet, he was of considerable reputation; and having cautiously refrained from committing himself to either of the great parties, both sought to enlist him in their ser vice. But lie declared for neutrality—conduct which lord Campbell pronounces cow ardly and selfish. When, however, the parliament triumphed, Hale signed the solemn league and covenant, and sat in the assembly of divines at Westminster, tried to bring about a settlement between the king and parliament, and ultimately took his engage ment to the commonwealth, and was made a judge under Cromwell in 1653, having overcome his natural scruples about serving a usurper, on the plea of necessity. Ile
acted as a palate judge of the common pleas till Cromwell's death, but refused to have his commission renewed by Richard Cromwell, and then entered parliament. On the restoration, he was made chief baron of the court of exchequer; and after 11 years, was transferred to the chief-justiceship of the court of queen's bench. He was reckoned the best judge of his time, being acute, learned, and sensible, and set his face against bribery, one of the vices of the age. John Bunyan was brought before him, and con victed of frequenting conventicles; and when Bunyan's wife afterwards moved for her husband's discharge, she was politely dismissed without redress. Hale also sentenced some women, convicted of witchcraft, to be executed, avowing his full faith in the delusion of that age, that this was a grave and dangerous offense. During his career as a judge, Hale led an austere and scholarly life, leaning to the side of the Puritans. He made a friend of Richard Baxter, and has left a great reputation for piety. He wrote some legal works, which are still of the highest authority, and he bequeathed several valuable legml 1I8S. to Lincoln's Inn, which are still treasured there. IIe resigned his office from ill health in 1676, and died on Christmas day of that year.