70 THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



dieting to officers the discharge of their functions, and 

 even their entrance into the forests, and appointing other 

 fit persons in their room, according as has been by us else- 

 where ordered. 



'6. With regard to woodmen, charliers or carriers, 

 herdsmen, shepherds, and other workmen employed 

 in the exploitation and transport of wood, the Grand- 

 Masters shall have full power to institute and prosecute 

 to final issue, any charges against them of abuses or 

 malversations committed in relation to, or connected with 

 waters and forests, which charges they shall try in the 

 Court-House of the locality of the misdemeanour, before 

 seven judges at least ; but with regard to all other persons 

 they can only judge them in criminal matters subject to 

 appeal ; they can, however, by themselves, and without 

 appeal, dismiss sergeants, clerks, and overseers of the forest 

 x guard, or in charge of forests, warrens, roads, meadows, 

 woods, waters, rivers and streams, both in our domains, 

 and in those held in Grurie, Grairie, Tiers et Danger. 



' 7. They may make provisional appointments to the 

 situations of those whom they have dismissed, both in 

 waters, woods, warrens of our domains, Grurie, Grairie, 

 Tiers et Danger, and in those of secular communities, and 

 they may oblige ecclesiastics to do the same, according to 

 their power ; and in case of refusal or neglect, they may 

 appoint to the office, and give all writs and orders 

 necessary for the payment of wages. 



' 8. When they carry processes to the local Court-House 

 for judgment they have a deliberative vote in the first 

 sederunt, and a right to express an opinion in the final 

 one, whether there be one or more sederunts ; they also 

 appoint the day and hour of meeting; but the President, 

 Lieu tenant-General, or other official who presides, shall 

 propose or submit the case and call for opinions, collect 

 the votes, and throughout direct the procedure, as is the 

 practice in cases in which the Grand-Master is not there. 



' 9. The Grand-Masters shall in each year make a tour 

 of general visitation throughout all the Maitrises and 



