to perform this in Scotland. The office of keep- › er of the Signet is very lucrative, and he is allowed deputes and clerks under him. Before any one enters into this Society, he must attend the university for two years, and serve five years as an apprentice to one of the members. He must also pay 1001. of apprentice-fee, 10l. to the library belonging to the institution, and 100l. when he is admitted a member. The Clerks of the Signet practise as attornies before the Courts of Session and Justiciary.

COURT OF JUSTICIARY.

The Court of Justiciary is the supreme criminal judicature in Scotland. It is composed of a lord Justice General, a lord Justice-Clerk, and five commissioners. The office of lord Justice-General is merely a nominal one, as he seldom or never assists in the administration of justice; the other judges, of which the lord Justice Clerk is president, hold at the same time the office of judges in the Court of Session. The causes which come before this court, are tried by a jury of fifteen citizens, and the prosecutions are conducted by the Lord Advocate, the Solicitor-General, and the Agent for the Crown. A majority

of the jury either acquits or condemns the delinquent, unanimity in opinion not being essential. During the recess of the Court of Session, the judges of this court, twice in the year, go on circuits through the different parts of the kingdom. One judge can hold a circuit court; and it has been found, by a decision in 1763, that the judgments of circuit courts are not liable to be reviewed by the High Court of Justiciary. The jurisdiction of the court itself in criminal cases is absolute, and from their sentence there lies no appeal. In their official capacity the judges are clothed in scarlet robes, turned up with white satin, and have silver maces carried before them.

COURT OF EXCHEQUER,

At what time this court was erected in Scot→ land is not known. It seems, however, to have been formed on the plan of that of England, the constitution and practice of both courts being nearly the same. The name Exchequer seems to be derived from French Exchequier, a chequered cloth, with which the table at which the judges sat was formerly covered. This court is composed of five judges, one, who sits as presi-.

dent, with the title of lord Chief Baron, and four ordinary Barons. They have four terms of sitting in the year, and all revenue causes are here tried. The cases are decided by a jury of twelve; and the Court of Exchequer is the only one in Scotland, where matters of civil right are tried in this manner.

The Courts of Session, Justiciary, and Exchequer, with the Societies of Barristers and Attonies, form an incorporation, instituted by James V, called the College of Justice, of which the judges of the Court of Session enjoy the title of Senators. The members of this incorporation are exempted from the taxes which are imposed on the other inhabitants of the city, for ministers stipends, support of the poor, from paying impost on liquors, and from performing any services within the city; nay, by several statutes, they are exempted from paying land-tax, and from all public taxes and contributions whatever. This last privilege, however, they have not exercised since the Revolution.

This building, which is now occupied by the Court of Session, was formerly the place where the Scottish Parliament met. It was begun to be erected in the year 1632, and was completed in 1640, at an expence of 11,600l. Sterling. It occupies the south and west angles of the square. to which it gives its name, and forms no inconsiderable ornament to that part of the city. The building is 133 feet long, by 98 broad in the widest end, and 60 in the narrowest. In the back part it is 60 feet high, but on account of the inequality of the ground the north and east fronts are only 40 feet. Over the entrance from the east are the arms of Scotland, well cut on stone,

with allegorical figures of Mercy and Truth for supporters, and this inscription, Stant his felicia regna; under the arms is the motto Uni unio

nem.

The great hall in which the Scottish Parlia ment sat is 122 feet long by 49 broad. The roof is of oak, arched and elegantly finished. In a niche of the wall is a fine marble statute of the late President Forbes, executed by Roubiliac at the expence of the Faculty of Advocates. There are also full length portraits of king William III, queen Mary his consort, and queen Anne, painted by sir Godfrey Kneller; and of George I, John duke of Argyle, and Archibald duke of Argyle, by Mr. Aikman of Cairney. This hall is occupied as a place of accommodation for the lawyers who attend the court; and single judges called ordinarys also sit here to determine those causes of lesser, or forward those of greater importance. The whole court sit in an adjoining room, of much smaller dimensions, which was formerly appropriated for the meetings of the Privy Council.

The Court of Exchequer not long ago occupied a part of this building; but, having removed to other apartments, the place where the Court of Session meet was lately enlarged, and new galleries erected, and it is now by far the most