1st of October; black-game (except in Somerset, or Devon, or in the New Forest, Hants), between the 10th of December and the 20th of August, and in Somerset, Devon, and the New Forest, between the 10th of December and the 1st of September; grouse, or red-game, between the 10th of December and the 12th of August; or bustards, between the 1st of March and the 1st of September, subjects the party to a penalty of 17. for every head of game, with costs of conviction, recoverable before two magistrates. Hares may be killed all the year round. Poison

ing game subjects the party to a penalty not exceeding 107., with costs, recoverable in like manner. Any person not having the right of killing game upon the land, or permission from the person having such right, taking or destroying the eggs of any bird of game, swan, wild duck, teal, or widgeon, or having the same in his possession, is liable, on conviction before two magistrates, for every egg taken, destroyed, or found in his house or possession, 5s., and costs. The enabling all certificated persons to kill game only gives them power to sport on their own land, or that of another, with leave of the person entitled to the game. Persons killing or taking game without a certificate are subjected to a penalty of 5l., in addition to the penalties imposed for not taking out a certificate. If an occupier kill or take game, or permit others to do so, he is liable for the penalty of 27. for the pursuit, in addition to a penalty of 17. for every head of game; and the persons to whom he gave permission are also liable for any proceeding the landlord may institute for the trespass. Various statutes have recently been passed regarding this subject. See 2 & 3 Vict. c. 35; 11 & 12 Vict. c. 29; 23 & 24 Vict. c. 90; and 24 & 25 Vict. c. 96.

Gaming. The passion for play has in all ages been common among the wealthy and unemployed, and frequently even among the poorer classes. Tacitus mentions the excess to which it was carried by the ancient Germans, who frequently staked their freedom on the hazard of the die, and suffered themselves

to be sold as slaves to liquidate their gaming debts. Justinian's Code (A.D. 528) contains several enactments for its suppression. The Romans were immoderately addicted to it in the latter days of the Republic and the Empire. The practice was introduced very early into England. The first statute directed against it (33 Henry 8, c. 9, 1541), prohibited the keeping of gaminghouses under a penalty of 40s. per day, and the frequenting of such places under forfeiture of 6s. 8d. By 16 Car. 2, c. 7 (1664) any person winning money by fraud, cozenage, or deceit, was to forfeit treble the value of his gains; and by 9 Anne, c. 14 (1710), any one who had lost at one sitting, and paid, the sum of ten pounds, might sue the winner, and recover the same with treble its value, and the costs of the suit. The game of passage, and all other games played with dice, except backgammon, were prohibited by 13 Geo. 2, c. 19 (1740), and gaming-house keepers were subjected to imprisonment with hard labour by 3 Geo. 4, c. 114 (Aug. 5, 1822). The police are entitled to enter all gaming-houses, and arrest the frequenters, by 2 & 3 Vict. c. 47, s. 48 (Aug. 17, 1839), and most of the former statutes on the subject were consolidated, repealed, or amended by 8 & 9 Vict. c. 109 (Aug. 8, 1845), which is now the principal statute respecting gaming. Betting-offices were suppressed by 16 & 17 Vict. c. 119 (Aug. 20, 1853), and the opposition of constables in their efforts to enter a house was made proof that the said house is a common gaming-house, by 17 & 18 Vict. c. 38 (July 24, 1854).

Gaol.-A strong place for the confinement of offenders against the law. Every county of England and Wales must maintain one common gaol at its own expense; and at least one house of correction at the expense of every county and division having a distinct commission of the peace. Every prison must possess a resident keeper, and resident matron to superintend the female prisoners; also a visiting chaplain and surgeon; and must be visited three times a year by two or more justices of the pea appointed at the quarter sessions for that purpose

The Queen's Prison, Millbank, Parkhurst, and Pentonville Prisons are subject to separate and specific regulations.

Gaol Delivery.-A commission to the judges empowering them to try and deliver every prisoner who may be in gaol when they arrive at the assize towns, whenever or before whomsoever indicted, or for whatever crime committed.

Garter (Order of the).—King Edward III., wishing to emulate the example of the renowned Arthur, and found an order of chivalry which should become as famous as the Round Table, issued letters, Jan. 1, 1344, in which he invited knights of all nations to take part in a grand tournament to be celebrated at Windsor on Monday, Jan. 18. According to Selden, the order of the Garter was founded April 23, 1344; but Ashmole considers it to have originated in 1349 or 1350. The companions were not chosen till July, 1346, and Sir Harris Nicolas is of opinion that the order was not definitely established until the latter part of 1347. The earliest delivery of mantles to the knights was in September, 1351, and in May, 1418, the office of Garter King of Arms was created. The collar and George of the order were granted by Henry VII. about 1497, and new statutes were adopted in 1522. The star was granted by Charles I. in 1626. The order of the Garter was reconstituted Jan. 17, 1805, and made to consist of the Sovereign and twenty-five knights companions, with such lineal descendants of George III. as may be elected, and the Prince of Wales.

Gavelkind.—A custom which holds in Kent, concerning the descent of lands in most parts of that county, whereby the lands of the father are equally divided at his death amongst all his sons, or the land of the brother among all the brothers, if the brother has no issue. Females inherit jointly and severally as at common law. Many parts of Kent are disgavelled by various statutes, and the mode of descent rendered conformable to the course of inheritance at common law, but it still prevails to a considerable extent.

The widow of a gavelkind man, as he

is termed, takes a life interest in the half of her husband's gavelkind lands, and the husband is tenant by courtesy of his wife's land, whether he has issue by her or not. This custom cannot be avoided by making a will, for the custom cannot be separated from the land: as the term is, the custom runs with the land.

General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, Courts of.—Tribunals held in every county, before two or more justices of the peace, once in every quarter. When held otherwise than quarterly, they are called "The General Sessions of the Peace." Their jurisdiction is now confined to the trial of smaller felonies and misdemeanours within their respective counties-viz., offences relating to game, highways, bastards, servants' wages, &c. See 5 & 6 Vict. c. 38; 7 & 8 Vict. c. 71; and 22 & 23 Vict. c. 4.

General Register Office.-At the dissolution of the monasteries parish registers were first kept in England. In 1694 a registration act was passed for the purpose of imposing a war-tax on marriages, births, and burials. Under the Registration Act (6 & 7 Will. 4, c. 86), a registrar-general was first appointed; and this act, amended by 1 Vict. c. 22, governs the department at the present time. Certified copies of the registers of all the births, deaths, and marriages in England and Wales are forwarded to this office by the various local superintending registrars. These registers are indexed, and here are prepared the weekly returns of mortality, and the various monthly and annual statistical reports. Hours: 10 to 4. Somerset House.

General Warrant.-A process which formerly issued from the office of the Secretary of State to arrest, without naming any one in particular, the author, printer, and publisher of such seditious libels specified in it. Declared illegal by the House of Commons in 1766.

Gentleman Usher of Black Rod.-See BLACK ROD.

Gentleman.-This name is derived from the Latin gentilis, which signified such as were of the same family or gens, and is a corruption of the French gentilhomme. It exists in some form in all the Romance languages, and is defined by Selden as one that either from the blood of his ancestors, or the favour of his Sovereign, or of them that have power of sovereignty in them, or from his own virtue, employment, or otherwise according to the laws and customs of honour in the country we speak of, is ennobled, made gentle, or so raised up to an eminency above the multitude, perpetually inherent in his person, that by those laws and customs he be truly nobilis or noble, whether he have any of the precedent titles or not fixed besides on him."

Goods and Chattels.-The denomination of things personal as distinguished from things real, or lands, tenements, and hereditaments.

Grace, Days of.—Time of indulgence and respite granted to an acceptor for the payment of his bill of exchange. It was originally a favour, but custom has now rendered it a legal right. The number of these days varies according to the ancient custom or express law prevailing in each particular country. In England three days are allowed.

Grand Jury.-An inquisition composed of not less than twelve and not more than twenty-three good and lawful men of a county, who inquire and execute all those things commanded them by the Queen. They ought to be freeholders, but to what amount is uncertain.

Great Britain.-This name was first applied to England, Wales, and Scotland, at the union of the two crowns, Oct. 24, 1604, when James I. was proclaimed King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. A national flag for Great Britain was announced by royal proclamation, April 12, 1606. The legal application commenced at the legislative union, agreed upon by the commissioners July 22, 1706, when it was provided that the