I 21 ) 



the freeholders of the county. Thefe officers, 

 fince the jujiiciary-in-eyre has been a finecure, 

 are the only judges of the foreft-courts. The 

 verderor is an ancient forefl-officer. His name 

 occurs in the earlieft account of foreft-law. 

 But tho his appointment has at prefent a 

 democratical caft, it is probable, that he was 

 formerly a royal officer ; and that his election 

 by the free-holders of the county was extorted 

 from the crown in fome period favourable to 

 liberty. As New-foreft was always thought 

 a great magazine of navy-timber, the ver- 

 derors were impowered by an adt of parlia- 

 ment in king William's time, to fine delin- 

 quents to the amount of five pounds in their 

 attachment-courts : whereas in all the other 

 fbrefhs of England, the fine does not amount 

 to more than a few pence, which was the 

 original amerfement. The verderor is an 

 officer without falary : but by ancient cuftom 

 he was entitled to courfe, and take what 

 deer he pleafed, in his way to the forefl- 

 court : but this privilege is now compounded 

 by an annual fee of a buck, and a doe. 



Befides thefe ancient officers of the forefl, 

 there is one of later inftitution, fince timber 

 became valuable as a material. He is called 



C 3 the 



