Each house possesses the privilege of adjourning it self; by which nothing more is meant than the conti nuance of the session from one day to another. A pro rogation is the continuance of Parliament from one ses sion to another. This is done by the king's authority, expressed by the Lord Chancellor in his Majesty's pre sence, by commission from the crown, and sometimes by proclamation. When Parliament is prorogued, bills which had been begun must be resumed de novo in the next session, and go through all the forms again before they can pass into laws. A dissolution, which is the ci vil death of parliameht, is effected by the king's will.
With respect to the executive power, and the rights of successio:t to the throne of England, the fundamental maxim is, that the crow n is, " by common law and con stitutional custom, hrrrditary; but that the tights of in heritance may from time to time be changed or limited by act of parliament, the crown still continuing heredi tary under these limitations." The right of primogeni ture amongst the males, and of the males in prefe rence to the females, is a constitutional rule in the de scent of the clown. Upon failure of the male line, the crown descends to the eldest of the female issue, and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten, and not jointly to the female issue of the same degree, as in common inheritances. By the statute 12 and 13 William III. chap. 2. the descent is limited to such heirs only of the Princess Sophia, grand-daughter of King James 1. as are Protestant members of the church of England, and are married to none hut Protestants.
The queen consort has many prerogatives different from other wives. She is a public person distinct front the king, and is able to purchase lands, to convey them, and to make leases, without his concur recce. In short, the law considers her, in all respects, as a single wo man; but she is the king's subject, and not his equal. It is high treason to compass or imagine her death, as well as that of the king. It is also high treason to vio late her person, and in her likewise, if she be consenting. The law regards and protects in a similar manner, the Prince of Wales, his consort, and the Princess Royal. The king's brothers, uncles, grandsons, and nephews, take precedence of all the other nobility. They, as well as the Prince of Wales, and the younger sons of the king, sit in the House of Lords. By statute 12 George III. ch. 1 I, no descendants of George II. (except the
issue of princesses married into foreign families,) can contract matrimony without the previous consent of the king, unless, being of the age of 25, they give a twelve months notice of such intention to the privy council, and, before the expiration of that period, no disappro bation is expressed by Parliament.
By the constitution of this country, various councils are allotted to the king, to advise him respecting public measures. Besides the Parliament, which has been al ready mentioned, the peers of the realm are hereditary counsellors of the sovereign, and have a right to demand an audience of him, to lay before hint such matters as they shall consider of importance to the state. The judges also, are the king's counsellors in matters of law. But the principal council of the sovereign is his privy council, the members of which are chosen by him, and, on cnanges of administration, are seldom erased, though those in opposition seldom attend. They are styled tight honourable, and are sworn to observe secrecy. The lowest at the board pronounces his opinion first, and the king, if present, concludes with declaring his judg ment.
The cabinet council, as it is called, consists of those ministers of state, who hold the highest rank and digni ty. Tile members are generally 9 or 11 ; consisting of the lord chancellor, the lord privy seal, the lord presi dent of the council, the three principal secretaries of state, the first lord of the treasury, the chancellor of the exchequer, and the first lord of the admiralty. The first lord of the treasury is considered the premier, or prime minister of the country. It sometimes happens, that the offices of first lard of the treasury, and the chancellor of the exchequer, are held by the same per son. No part or the executive authority of the king is vested in his privy council, the constant style of the law being the king in council, and not the king and council. The constitution does not recognise the cabinet council. The king can remove his confidential servants, or " the administration," as it is usually termed, at his pleasure.
The principal officers, who have the management of the political, military, naval, and financial affairs of the kingdom, are the lord high treasurer, or lords commis sioners of the treasury; the principal secretaries of state; the secretary at war; the commander in chief; the lord high admiral, or lords commissioners of the admiralty.