Barrell, Francis

In Latin: To the memory of Francis Barrell, A man whose very name, even without titles, is praise enough where he was known; and where he was unknown, I fear that nothing would be enough— for it is too little merely to say that among the Serjeants-at-Law, as they are called, no one was more skilled in law or more devoted to it, more cautious in giving counsel, or more bold in the court. Yet not even among human laws did he forget the divine. Before God (no less than before people) he was a most vehement advocate, sanctifying justice with piety. From this came that celebrated reputation of a man equally good and just; from this that constant flood of business and weight of responsibilities, not too heavy for such shoulders. For besides his almost countless clients, he also oversaw all the judicial affairs of this city and of the Church; and he was soon to take on far greater ones, for he was already preparing for the National Assembly to which he had been newly elected— when chosen instead for better, eternal things, to be celebrated eternally in Heaven, he hastened there (as illness pressed upon him) [He died] in the 52nd year of his age, In the year of human salvation 1679.