346 FRANCE. 



the king. The members of the royal family and the princes of the 

 blood are peers by right of birth. They take their seats immediate- 

 ly after the president: but have no deliberative voice until they are 

 25 years of age. The princes cannot take their seats in the nouse, 

 but on the order of the king, expressed at each session by a mes* 

 sage, on penalty of rendering void every thing that shall be done in 

 their presence. All the deliberations of the house ol peers are se- 

 cret. The house of peers takes cognizance of the crimes of high 

 treason, and attempts against the safety of the state, which are de- 

 fined by law. No peer can be arrested but by an authority of the 

 house, and judged by it in criminal matters. 



The house of deputies is composed of deputies elected by the 

 electoral colleges, the organization of which is determined by law. 

 The deputies are elected for five years, and in such manner thi't 

 the house is renewed for one fifth part every year. No deputy can 

 be admitted into the house unless he is 40 years of age, and un- 

 less he pays a direct contribution of 1000 francs. If, however, 

 there are not found in the department 50 persons of the age mention- 

 ed, paying at least 1000 francs direct contribution, their number is 

 computed by those who are highest taxed below 1000 'francs, and 

 these cannot be elected concurrently with the first. The electors 

 who concur in the nomination of deputies, cannot have ihe right of 

 suffrage, unless they pay a direct contribution of 300 francs, or if they 

 are under thirty years of age. The presidents of the electoral col- 

 leges are appointed by the king, and of right members of the 

 college. A half, at least, of the deputies must be chosen among can- 

 didates who have their political domicil with the department. The 

 president of the house of deputies is appointed by the king from a 

 list of five members presented' by the house. The sittings of the 

 house are public ; but the request of five members is sufficient to re- 

 quire them to sit in secret committee. The house resolves itself in- 

 to, a board to discuss projects which have been presented to it by the 

 king. No amendment can be made to a law, unless it is proposed in 

 committee by the king, and unless it has been sent and discussed at 

 the board. The house of deputies receives all propositions for im- 

 posts, and it is not till after these propositions have been acceded to, 

 that they can be carried to the house of peers. No impost can be 

 established or levied that has not been consented to by the two houses 

 and sanctioned by the king. A land tax can be consented to for but 

 one year. — Indirect taxes may be for many years. The king convenes 

 the two houses every year — He prorogues them, and may dissolve 

 that of the deputies of the departments; but in that case he must 

 convoke a new one in the course of three months. No constraint up- 

 on the body of any member of the house, can be exercised during 

 the session, or within six weeks which precede or follow it. No 

 member of the house can, during the continuance of the session, be 

 prosecuted or arrested in a criminal matter, except in case of a fla- 

 grant offence, and after the house has permitted the prosecution. No 

 petition to either of the houses can be made and presented, except 

 in writing. The law forbids presenting them in person and at the 

 bar. 



The ministers may be members of the house of peers or of the 

 house of deputies. — They have besides admission into either house, 

 and are to be heard whenever they demand it. The house of depu- 

 ties has the right of accusing the ministers, and of arraigning them 



