286 CAUSES OF DEGENEEATIVE EVOLUTION 



however, any one of these would resume its 

 functions. 1 



(c) The Court of Stannaries, the vice-warden 

 of which is appointed by the Prince of Wales. 

 This Court has greatly degenerated in importance, 

 and only a few minor cases are now heard before it. 



(d) The Court of Piepowder. This was a Court 

 of summary jurisdiction, dealing promptly with 

 disputes arising during fairs and markets. It has 

 almost disappeared from having fallen into disuse. 

 Practically only one example remains ; that is at 

 Bristol, and is becoming merged in another local 

 court called the Tolzey Court. 



(e) The Husting's Court (or folkmote, scirmote, 

 a kind of County Court of the city of London). 

 The old Hunting's Court has completely lost all its 

 former attributes, in favour of the Court of the 

 Lord Mayor and Sheriffs. Up to 1860, however, 

 it reserved to itself the right of jurisdiction with 

 regard to matters relating to landed property in 

 the city ; the only cases which come before this 

 Court nowadays are those of replevy. 2 



Finally, there is the House of Lords which 



1 According to jurisprudence, the fact that a Court still existing 

 by virtue of Royal Charter, has ceased to be functional for two 

 hundred years, is no reason against a citizen having his case tried 

 before it, if he so chooses, even though the town authorities declare 

 the funds to be insufficient for payment of the judge. 



(Case of Rex v. Mayor of Wells, Dowling Practise Cases, p. 562), 

 mentioned by Franqueville. 



2 Franqueville, Systeme jud. , i., pp. 235, and following. 



