I2i> FORESTRY IN SPAIN. 



ment, in the widest comprehension of the term, by means 

 of responsible ministers. The King participates in the 

 legislative power in the manner which has been indicated, 

 and in respect to the government of the kingdom he holds 

 in his hands the army and the navy ; he declares war, makes 

 peace, and signs treaties ; he confers all appointments, 

 honours, and dignities ; he grants gracious pardons, and he 

 sees to the internal and external security of the State. 



' The Judicial power is exercised in the name of the King 

 by tribunals of justice, whose powers are confined to 

 judging, and carrying their judgments into effect. 



* This power holds as fundamental the immutability of 

 justice, because in no other way can be conceived the 

 independence of the tribunals ; but the circumstances of 

 the country have not hitherto permitted the establish- 

 ment of this immutability, and consequently it may be 

 said that this power has not existed amongst us hitherto, 

 as it is recognised by the constitution of the State. 

 On the other hand, the constitution assumes that we 

 cannot have more than one standard for the Spanish 

 people ; and that the whole kingdom must be governed 

 by codices, which has not been absolutely realised. 



At present, besides the ordinary jurisdictions, there exist 

 those of war and the navy, the ecclesiastical, the special 

 judicatories of the exchequer,and thetribunals of commerce. 

 Lest any case should arise which is not fully provided for 

 by these tribunals, the powers of the common courts 

 are curtailed to some extent by the establishment of what is 

 designated the Judicial Administration sanctioned among 

 us by special laws with an appropriate prescribed proce- 

 dure, and with a recognised place between the judicatories 

 and tribunals, in which it exercies the supreme functions 

 of the Council of State. 



' It will be understood that these indications are con- 

 fined to the matters of fact, without entering upon a 

 discussion of the principles involved, which would be 

 arduous and delicate enough under whatever conception 

 the subject might be brought under consideration. 



