SURVIVAL OF INSTITUTIONS 305 



and consistent conception of the consular authority 

 came to be formed. 1 



In the same way the maintenance of the insti- 

 tution of sheriffs in modern England can only be 

 attributed to an exaggerated respect for tradition. 



In the commission which sat in 1888 to inquire 

 into judicial organization, one of the commissioners 

 expressed himself as follows : " I cannot see that 

 sheriffs are of any use whatever, unless it be for 

 show ; there is not one single function attached to 

 the post which a sheriff can fulfil himself. I am 

 a sheriff, but I do not know what a sheriff's duties 

 are." The institution, however, remains intact. 

 The sheriff is credited with the discharge of several 

 functions, which are executed in his name and on 

 his responsibility. All he does is to receive the 

 judges, accompany them on circuit, and preside over 

 parliamentary elections. 2 



The mode of nominating the sheriffs has remained 

 unchanged since 1340. The Queen, by means of a 

 traditional gold pin, is supposed to prick by chance 

 in the list of candidates which is presented to her, 

 the name of him upon whom she confers " the 



1 Ferrero, Simbolii, p. 53, Torino, 1893. 



2 " The two sheriffs of London, who are elected from among the 

 liverymen of the various city companies, have not to go on circuit, 

 but are supposed to attend at the Central Criminal Court. Their 

 functions chiefly consist in escorting the Lord Mayor to all city 

 ceremonies, and in attending numerous banquets, some of which 

 are given at their expense." De Franqueville, Systeme judiciaire de 

 la Grand- Eretagne, i., p. 611. 



U 



