^o Gco7'ge E. Hoxvard, 



countless other matters.^ He has been aptly described as 

 the "state's man of all work."^ 



(6-). — The Petty and the Special Sessions. 



We now turn to the business of the petty sessions. The 

 history of the latter affords an excellent example of the spon- 

 taneous growth and quiet acceptance of an institution long 

 before its recognition by the written law. " Petty sessions " 

 was the popular name originally given to the meeting of two 

 or more magistrates to transact the business imposed upon 

 them by statute. ^ On the other hand, a "special session " or 



1 See the elaborate discussion of Gneist, II, 236-330, where many acts are 

 summarized; Maitland, Justice and Police, 92. 



2 Maitland, Justice and Police, 92. 



3 It is remarkable, however, that as early as 1605 the privy council planned a 

 regular subdivision of the several counties into petty sessional districts. In a letter 

 of the council dated at Greenwich, June 23, 1605, it is provided: — 



"(4) Item, that upon Conference between the Justices of Assizes and the 

 Justices of the Peace of every several county at the next assizes to be holden in 

 the same, convenient and apt divisions be made through every county and riding, 

 and that fit Justices of the Peace be assigned to have the special charge and care 

 of every such division, and these to be answerable for such defects as through 

 their defaults shall happen therein. And every such division to be so made as 

 none be driven to travel above seven or eight miles, that then the same part be 

 assigned to the division of the county next adjoining. 



"(5) Item, that the Justices of the Peace of every such division be assigned to 

 assemble themselves together once between every general Sessions of the Peace 

 near about the midtime between each such sessions, at some convenient place 

 within their several divisions, to enquire of, and see the due execution of these 

 things following, viz." 



(6) This section enumerates the statutes which the justices of petty sessions 

 are to enforce. 



"(7) Item, that the Constable of the Hundred and Wapentake and Petty Con- 

 stables and other inferior officers, touching matters of justice, inhabiting within 

 any the limits aforesaid, be at the said assemblies, to deliver their knowledges 

 touching the premises. And by warrant from the justices of that division to bring 

 to the assemblies such as offend in remissness or otherwise touching rogues and 

 idlers, or in keeping of tippling houses without lawful licence, or which do not 

 observe the articles and orders prescribed unto them. 



"(8) Item, that they appoint a clerk to keep notes of their proceedings at these 

 assemblies. 



"(9) Item, that the same clerk and constables of the Hundreds inhabiting 



2.84 



