CHAP, v.] WEST INDIES. 2-25 



upon application from his parishioners. A suspension 

 ab officio is in fact a suspension a bejieficio, no minis- 

 ter being entitled to his stipend for any longer time 

 than he shall actually officiate > unless prevented by 

 sickness. 



The vestries are composed of the custos, and two 

 other magistrates, the rector and ten vestry men ; the 

 latter are elected annually by the free-holders. Be- 

 sides their power of assessing and appropriating tax- 

 es, they appoint way-wardens, and allot labourers for 

 the repair of the public highways. They likewise 

 nominate constables, for the collection both of the 

 public and parochial taxes > 



The supreme court of judicature for the whole 

 island (commonly called the Grand Court, as possess- 

 ing similar jurisdiction in this country to that of the 

 several courts of king's bench, common pleas, and 

 exchequer, in Great Britain) is held in the town of 

 St. Jago-de-la-Vega, the capital of the county of Mid- 

 dlesex, on the last Tuesday of each of the months of 

 February, May, August and November, in every 

 year. In this court the chief justice of the island pre- 

 sides, whose salary is ,. 120, but the perquisites ari- 

 sing from the office make it worth about ^.3,000 

 per annum. The assistant judges are gentlemen of 

 the island, commonly planters, who receive neither 

 salary nor reward of any kind for their attendance. 

 Three judges must be present to constitute a court ; 

 and each term is limited in duration to three weeks, 

 From this court, if the matter in dispute in a civil 



Vol. I, F f 



