82 CRIMINALS. LAWS OF INHERITANCE. [chap. iv. 



from the former, and all suits with British subjects were 

 generally tried by him. In conformity with the stipulations 

 in the 17th Article of the treaty of the 29th of July, 1842, 

 between England and Portugal, the conservatorial court was 

 abolished, and all suits with British subjects are now tried 

 in the same manner as between Portuguese. 



CRIMINALS. 



Criminals remain in prison from the time of their being 

 apprehended till the month of May or November next ensu- 

 ing, in which months the sessions are held. After condemna- 

 tion, they remain a year or more in prison, till their sentences 

 are confirmed or revoked by a superior tribunal in Lisbon. 

 About 100 are tried yearly in the Tribunal Correctional, the 

 greater part of whom are condemned ; of 40 more tried in the 

 Tribunal do Jury, rather more than half are condemned. 

 The number of criminals in the district of Funchal was, in 

 1847, 153; in 1848, 76; and in 1849, 77. 



The administration of justice must be allowed at least to 

 be lenient, and, notwithstanding its mildness, the population 

 cannot be considered as exhibiting an excess of crime against 

 property or life. The character of the people on the whole, 

 if not distinguished for the loftier virtues, is certainly gentle 

 and courteous. 



LAWS OF INHERITANCE. 



The laws of inheritance assign property to direct heirs for 

 two generations, forward and backward. By will, however, 

 one-third may be alienated from these. In event of the 

 failure of such heirs, the whole of an unentailed estate may 

 be disposed of by will. The laws of entail are now much 



