d the Countship of your City on A B, that he may hear your
causes and give effect to our orders.'

[Apparently this letter and the preceding relate to the same
appointment. The words 'secundi ordinis' are not added to the title of
the new Count when his fellow-citizens are informed of it.]

28. FORMULA ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMES TO THE CHIEF OF HIS
STAFF[484].

[Footnote 484: This must, I think, be the meaning; but it is hard to
extract it from the words 'Formula Principis Militum Comitivae.']

[Sidenote: Princeps Militum Comitivae.]

'Judge and Court Officer (Praesul and Miles) are terms which involve
one another. The officers of the Court have no right to exist,
without the Judge; he is powerless without them to execute his
commands. We therefore think it well to inform you of our appointment
of A B as Count over your body[485]. It is no light benefit that so
long as you attend to your duty[486] you are allowed to elect the
examiners.'

[Footnote 485: 'Comitem Militiae Vestrae.']

[Footnote 486: 'Nec istud leve credatis beneficium, ut cum vos scitis
obsequium, vobis occurrat electio cognitorum.' For Cognitores, see
vii. 3. These Cognitores had virtually the decision of all 'issues of
fact,' and consequently their nomination was a very important matter.
I think the meaning of this passage is: 'I, the King, appoint the
_Comes_ (= Judex), and graciously inform you of my decision. But you
(the Officium) have the privilege--and it is no small one--of electing
the _Cognitores_.']

29. FORMULA CONCERNING THE GUARD AT THE GATES OF A CITY.

[Sidenote: De Custodiendis Portis Civitatis.]

'We entrust to you an important office, the care of the gate of such
and such a city. Do not keep it always shut--that were to turn the
city into a prison; nor let it always lie open--then the walls are
useless. Use your own judgment, but remember that the gate of a city
is like the jaws of the human body, through which provisions enter to
nourish it.'

30. FORMULA OF THE TRIBUNATE IN THE PROVINCES.

[Sidenote: Tribunatus Provinciarum.]

'It is right that one who has served his time in civil employment
should receive his reward, and we therefore appoint as your Tribune
the man who has a right to the office by seniority. You are to obey
him, since officers of this kind partake of the nature of Judges
[governors], as they are called to account for any excesses committed
by you.'

[Who this Tribune was--since th