MAJESTY, a title of honor now usually bestowed on sovereigns. Among the Romans majestas was used to signify the power and dignity of the people; and the senatorial, consular, or dictatorial majesty was spoken of, in consequence of these functionaries deriv ing their power from the people. After the overthrow of the republic, majestas became exclusively the attribute of the emperors, dignitas being thenceforth that of the magis trates. The majestas of the emperors of Rome was supposed to descend to those of Germany SS their successors; but the adoption of the attribute by other European sover eig-ns is of comparatively late date. Its use began in England in the latter part of the reign of Henry VIII., up to which time "your grace" or "your highness" had been the appropriate mode of addressing the sovereign. Henry II. was the first king of France who was similarly styled, and Louis XI. and his successors became entitled, in virtue of a papal bull, to call themselves by the title of "most Christian majesty." Ferdinand and
Isabella of Spain similarly obtained for themselves and their successors the title of " most Cathnlic majesty;" and Stephen, duke of Hungary, and Maria Theresa, of " apostolic majesty." The emperor of Austria is now styled his imperial royal maje.sty; in German, " K.K. (abbreviated for kaiserliche kOnigliche) majestat." Emperors, kings, and queens are now generally addressed as " your majesty," not including. the sultan of Turkey, whose proper style is "your highness." The sovereign of the United Kingdom is per sonally addressed as " your majesty;" and letters are addressed to " the king's" or " queen's" " most excellent majesty." In heraldry, an eagle crowned and holding a scepter, is blazoned as an " eagle in his. majesty."