by the Grand Duke, with the rank of a Prelate.-4. Of eight deputies of the landed proprietors.-5. Of two deputies from the Universities.-6. Of persons named members by the Grand Duke, independently of any claim on the grounds of rank or birth.

The Second Chamber consists of 63 deputies from the towns and bailiwicks, returned according to the list of distribution annexed to this constitutional decree.

The Grand Duke appoints the President of the First Chamber for each Diet; the Second Chamber chooses three candidates for the Presidency, the election of one of whom is ratified by the Grand Duke for the duration of the Diet.

A Diet must be held every two

years.

The members of neither Chamber can vote by proxy.

The members are summoned to vote

Whoever is an actual member of the first Chamber, or by the choice of the landed proprietors is qualified for electing or being elected to it, cannot either, by appointment of the electors, exercise the right of voting, or be chosen as elector or deputy for the towns or bailiwicks.

All remaining subjects, of 25 years of age, who are domiciled as citizens in the electoral district, or are invested with a public office, obtain, by the choice of the electors, the right of suffrage and eligibility.

The deputies for the towns and bailiwicks are to be nominated for eight years, but so that one-fourth of the Chamber shall be renewed every two years.

Every new election of a deputy, which may become necessary on account of the dissolution of the assembly, or the regular vacation of mem bers, requires a new nomination of electors.

Every member, on vacating his seat, is again eligible.

Each Chamber decides respecting the due election of its own members.

The Grand Duke convokes, prorogues, and can dissolve the Chambers. Should the dissolution take place before the question under consideration is exhausted, a new election must follow within the period of three months at the furthest.

During the session of the Diet, no member can be arrested, without the express permission of the Chamber to which he belongs.

The Diet can only discuss the subjects referred to its deliberation by the present fundamental law, or especially brought under its consideration by the Grand Duke.

No tax can be imposed or levied without the consent of the Chambers.

The revenue law will be regularly passed for two years. Such duties, however, as in consequence of contracts are appropriated for a longer time, can undergo no alteration before the expi ration of such contracts.

Along with the plan of the revenue law will be given the State budget, and a detailed view of the application of the sums granted for the previous years. No charge shall be made for secret expenditure, without a written assurance from the Grand Duke, countersigned by the State Ministry, to certify that the sums are, or shall be applied for the real interests of the State.

The Chambers cannot annex conditions to the levying of taxes.

No loan can be legal without the concurrence of the Chambers, except however those loans by which fixed receipts are anticipated for fixed expenditures, as well as the revenues of

the Sinking Fund, which, according to its fundamental laws, are applied to that object.

The Civil List cannot be increased without the consent of the Chambers, nor diminished without the permission of the Grand Duke.

All plans of law relating to finance must, in the first place, be submitted to the Second Chamber; and if adopted there, must, without alteration, be laid before the First Chamber, to be finally accepted or rejected.

If the majority of the First Chamber should not agree to the decision of the Second, the assenting and dissenting voices of both Chambers must be added together, and the result decided by the majority of the united voices.

Old and not permanent taxes, must be continued for six months after the stipulated time, if the Diet be dissolved before a new budget can be brought forward, or if the State deliberation be delayed.

During preparations for war, or whilst a war is carrying on, the Grand Duke, for the speedy and effectual fulfilment of his federal duties, and even before he has obtained the consent of the Diet, may legally levy loans and war-taxes. In that case, the Diet will exercise a great influence and co-operation in the administration, for two members of the Representative Commission will be appointed to watch, that the sums raised for carrying on the war be really and exclusively applied to that purpose.

No law concluded in the Constitutional Act can be extended or altered without the consent of a majority of two-thirds of the members present of both Chambers.

In all other laws concerning the freedom of persons, or relative to State property, new general laws, or the alteration or the promulgation of the existing laws, the consent of the majo

rity of each of the two Chambers is requisite.

The Grand Duke ratifies and promulgates the laws, and orders all that is necessary for their execution and maintenance.

The Chambers are allowed to make representations respecting ordinances, in which dispositions have been intro. duced, which they consider inimical to their right of consent, and which shall, on the complaints being known, be im. mediately rendered ineffectual. On stating grounds to the Grand Duke, they can solicit the proposal of a law. They have a right to point out to the Government abuses in the administration, which come within their knowledge. They have the right of lodging formal complaints against ministers and members of the superior offices of State, for violations of the Constitution, or of acknowledged Constitutional privileges. A particular law shall determine the nature of the complaint, the degree of the punishment, and the deciding authority.

Complaints of individual citizens concerning the violation of their Constitutional privileges, cannot be received by the Chambers, except in wri ting; and then not accepted, unless the complainant shall prove that he has in vain appealed for redress to the proper local jurisdictions, and lastly to the Ministry of State.

No representation or complaint can be brought before the Grand Duke, without the consent of the majority of each of the two Chambers.

The order whereby the deputies of the landed proprietors, the towns, and the bailiwicks, go out, is determined by lot in the first meeting of the Diet. One half of the territorial deputies vacate their seats in the year 1823, and one half every subsequent four years. In 1821, one-fourth of the deputies of the towns or bailiwicks are excluded,

and, afterwards, one-fourth every two years.

In the first elections, all contests respecting the validity of the returns, will be determined by the Government Central Commission, which is charged with the execution of the Constitutional Law.

The opening of the first Diet will take place on the 1st of February, 1819.

At the opening of the Diet, when the Constitution is put in activity, the existing state of things in all branches of administration and legislation will continue, till measures be taken on these subjects, in concert with the Diet. The first budget will, in particular, be provisionally executed.

The present Constitution is placed under the guarantee of the German Confederation.