The above extracts are sufficient to show the spirit in which the French cri minal code has been framed. It is, in fact, as harsh and illiberal in many of its enactments as that of any absolute govern ment in Europe. In speaking therefore of Napoleon's legislation, it is necessary to discriminate between the civil and the criminal law ; and again between the laws themselves and the practice and rules of proceeding in the courts. The adoption of the French criminal code met with great opposition in Italy. At Milan the legislative body attempted to modify and adapt it to the habits and wants of the Italians. Two commissions were ap pointed by the minister of justice, one for the code of instruction, and the other for the code p&ial. Their reports were sent to Paris, but were rejected by Napoleon, and an answer came with peremptory orders to translate literally and enforce the two French codes without any altera tion. At Naples similar objections were also made, but with no better effect. (Collette, Storia del Reame di Napoli, book vi.) The French code is retained in Rhe nish Prussia ; in the kingdom of Naples with some few modifications; in the Can ton of Geneva in Switzerland ; and in Belgium. The commercial code and the
registry of mortgages have been adopted all over Italy.
For comments and strictures by French jurists on the criminal laws of France, see Berenger, De la Justice Criminelle en France, 1818 ; Dupin, Observations cur plusieurs points importans de noire Legis lation Criminelle ; and Bavoux, Lepons preliminaires sur le Code Penal, 1821.
There are in France more than 3000 judges, including those of the commercial courts, besides 2846 juges de paix. The judges of the Tribunaux de Premibre In stance have salaries varying from 2000 to 6000 francs ; those of the Cours Royales, from 3000 to 8000. The presidents and vice-presidents receive more in propor tion. The juges de paix receive about 800 francs, besides certain fees. The various courts, magistrates, greffiers, &c. cost the state about fifteen millions of francs annually. (Goldsmith, Statistics of France, 1832.) For a general view of thejudiciary system of France, see Meyer, Esprit des Institutions Judiciaires, last vol.; and Rey, Des Institutions Judiciaires de t An gleterre comparees avec celles de France et de quelques autres Etats, 1826.