Warden

or lord Warden of the Cinque ports. A magistrate that has the jurisdiction of those havens in the east part of England, commonly called the cinque ports, or five havens, where he is invested with all that jurisdiction which the admiral of England has in places not exempt. According to Cowel, from whom this explanation is taken, the reason why one magistrate should be a igned to these havens seems to be, because, in respect to their situation, they formerly required a more vigilant care than other havens, being in greater danger of invasion. On this account the lord chief warden of the cinque should be an officer of some experience, well skilled in the art of defence, and equal to the super intendance of so important a range of coast, upon which France had cast a jealous eye from time immemorial, and where Cæsar made a succe ful landing. It is, however, little more than a sinecure situation, and a snug retreat for ex-ministers. By act the 26th of Geo. III. it has been enacted, that the warden of the cinque ports, two ancient towns, and their members, and in his absence his lieutenant or lieutenants, may put in execution, within the said ports, towns and members, all the powers and authorities given and granted by this act, in like manner as lieutenants of counties and their deputy lieutenants, may do, and shall keep up and continue the usual number of soldiers in the said ports, towns and members, unle he or they find cause to le en the same. The militia of the ports is, according to this act, to remain separate from the militia of the counties, and may be called out, pursuant to an act pa ed in the 13th and 14th years of king Charles the Second, notwithstanding the pay advanced may not have been reimbursed.